Do you know where you got your idea of a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by muscle-bound, scantily clad punks driving around in big, ramshackle vehicles covered in spikes?
I'll tell you: you got it from the incredible imagination of the genius that is George Miller.
It was more than 40 years ago, with the release of ‘Mad Max: Interceptor’, and even more so with ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’ - a cinematic saga that shaped the mood of all the post-apocalyptic dystopias that followed, starting from the wonderful Kenshiro anime, whose protagonist copies the character of Max down to the details.
What we see today in the new instalment of the saga ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ is nothing more than the culmination of that brilliant intuition he had all those years ago. The movie rewrote the aesthetics of science fiction forever, giving us the iconic Mad Max clothes and a world populated by pain, suffering, and exhaust fumes. Let's take a look at Furiosa's outfits and the costumes of all the films in the saga that preceded them.
The Evolution of Mad Max's Fashion
The Mad Max franchise has always been known for its unique and iconic aesthetic. From the original film in 1979 to the latest instalment, ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’, the costumes have evolved to reflect the changing world of Mad Max.
Mad Max: Interceptor Costumes
In the first Mad Max film, the costumes were relatively simple and realistic, reflecting the harsh and unforgiving world of the Australian outback. The characters wore practical clothing that reflected the dirty and crumbling world, but one that had not yet collapsed. The police officers wore "unofficial" uniforms, the villains were dirty and disheveled, but there was still a sense of a functioning society, albeit a fragile one.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’s New Dress Code
As the franchise progressed, the costumes became more elaborate and stylised. In ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’, the characters wore more armour and weaponry, reflecting the increasing violence of the world, and have many early 80’s influences, such as the coloured mohawks. The characters of the "village of the good" are blond and dressed in white, and the character of Gyro is colourfully sketched, so as much as the film is violent, the turn towards a more pop aesthetic is however present and significant.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
This trend continued in ‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’, with the costumes becoming even more theatrical and exaggerated. The characters wore elaborate headdresses, face paint, and body armour. The costumes in this film were heavily influenced by the punk rock and heavy metal subcultures of the 1980s.
The Return to a Grittier Aesthetic
The 2015 film 'Mad Max: Fury Road' marked a return to a grittier aesthetic for the franchise. In this episode, which takes place between the reboot and the spinoff, the costumes become more comic book-like and over-the-top. Especially for the villains costumes, designed to be visually striking and intimidating, and they reflect the characters sadistic nature. In contrast, the good guys are dressed more simply and in more muted colours. They appear to be slaves or otherwise downtrodden, and their clothing reflects their lower status. However, the good guys' costumes also include some subtle hints of sexuality - we are talking, of course, of the Immortan Joe "brides".
Let’s see the new Furiosa outfits
Furiosa is not only an adrenaline-pumping action movie, but also a visual spectacle, thanks to its elaborate and imaginative costumes. Each character is dressed uniquely, reflecting their personality and role in the post-apocalyptic world. In this movie, we get a glimpse of a younger Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. This is a crucial period for the character, as it's where she begins to forge her path in the harsh and unforgiving wasteland. Unlike the battle-hardened Imperator Furiosa portrayed by Charlize Theron in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, this Furiosa is younger and less defined.
A Subdued Look for a Rising Warrior
Her costume in this prequel reflects this transition. While still undeniably Mad Max in its aesthetic, it's a more subdued version compared to the iconic outfit sported by the adult Furiosa. Imagine a young woman starting to carve out her place in this brutal world – practicality takes precedence over the imposing presence she'll develop later. Anya Taylor-Joy portrays a younger and less defined Furiosa compared to Charlize Theron's iconic character in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Her costume reflects this difference, being more nuanced and functional. Only in the second part, after an iconic "haircut", will we see a Furiosa appear very similar to the fighter we met in the previous film. Both, indeed, were designed by the Oscar winner Jenny Beavan.
Key elements of her outfit:
- Natural-coloured shirt with short sleeves and slight gathering at the bust. The fabric could be a cotton jersey or a silk noil.
- Brown belt at the waist, which fastens at the back.
- Leather pants with stitching similar to riding breeches. They are comfortable and loose-fitting, perfect for fighting.
- Black motorcycle boots with velcro closures.
- Shoulder pad with a plastic plate (probably made from a truck's interior panel) and soft padding. The plate has a small motor, a pull-start handle, and hoses to operate the prosthetic arm.
Other characters’ costumes
The costumes of the secondary characters in ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ are an important part of the film's visual style. They help to create a rich and believable world and to tell the story of the characters.
The film's villain, Dementus (Chris Hemsworth, made famous by playing Thor in the Marvel universe), is a particularly striking example of the new aesthetic. His costume is a mix of a gladiator and a Napoleonic soldier, with a fantastical motor-powered chariot. This costume reflects the character's brutality and his ambition to conquer the wasteland.
Ah, the glorious War Boys! Remember those zealous, chrome-sniffing dudes who revved their engines and chased Imperator Furiosa half across the wasteland in the last movie? Well, they're back in ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’. Interestingly, their iconic look remains largely unchanged from the previous films. It's as if they're stuck in a time loop, eternally dedicated to Immortan Joe and his twisted vision of Valhalla.
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ will debut in cinemas on May 23, 2024.
