Nail art in cinema: manicures that steal the show From Blink Twice and Blade Tunner 1049, to Thirteen

Nails, on the big screen, have never really been in the spotlight, and yet, they are essential. Sure, they add a pop of color to the cinematography, but they also help define a character’s personality just as much as makeup and hair styling. They can be elegant or chipped, long or short, monochrome or decorated with intricate nail art. Sometimes they do even more: they help tell a story, as in Blink Twice, where the manicure becomes part of the film’s visual language. So no, we’re not just talking about cute nail art. We’re talking about manicures that have shaped characters and entire cinematic atmospheres.

Nails in cinema: scene-stealing manicures and creative inspiration

Blink Twice

In Blink Twice, nails aren’t just an aesthetic detail, they’re a real narrative clue disguised as super-cute nail art. Frida, the protagonist, is a nail artist, and among her creations are red rabbits painted on her nails: a design that seems merely quirky and creative until it becomes the key to piecing together her fragmented memory. The phrase “red rabbit” recurs throughout the film like a cryptic message, and that very manicure turns into the visual proof linking the past, repressed trauma, and truths someone tried to bury. Without spoilers, the red rabbits represent her past as a trapped, innocent victim, while the blue kittens she wears during the main storyline signal curiosity, awareness, and an awakening to the truth. Basically, the nails tell the protagonist’s psychological evolution. Crazy, I know.

Blade Runner 2049

In Blade Runner 2049, there’s an iconic scene where Luv, played by Sylvia Hoeks, gets her nails done—and we’re definitely not talking about a regular manicure. The nail tech uses a futuristic device that looks almost like a laser, engraving directly onto the nail and creating animated nail art. When will we be able to do this too? Bets are open.

The Mummy (2017)

In The Mummy (2017), Sofia Boutella as Ahmanet sports nail art that goes beyond just the tips. The nails extend all the way to the first phalanx. The real plot twist is the color: a neon blue-green that perfectly matches the queen’s jewelry. The result is a bold pop of color reminiscent of Michele Lamy’s pitch-black nails, but in a full-on rave girl version.

Dick Tracy

In Dick Tracy, Madonna wears strikingly modern red half-moon nails, perfectly suited to the film’s 1930s aesthetic. Here, the half-moon is left natural, while the rest of the nail contrasts with a bright red polish. Elegant and iconic, they’ve become one of the most referenced beauty details in cult films, not just in Dick Tracy, but also in Mulholland Drive and many others.

Thirteen

In Thirteen, nails are practically a manifesto for the protagonists. The color is a deep black, sometimes with purplish undertones, perfectly matching the film’s grunge, rebellious mood. Dark, intense, slightly chipped. Definitely light-years away from the innocent pink of picture-perfect teens.