Adele’s Acting Debut: Get the Cinematic Beauty Look from Tom Ford’s ‘Cry to Heaven’
The entertainment world is buzzing with exciting news: Grammy-winning superstar Adele is making her acting debut in acclaimed director Tom Ford’s upcoming film, “Cry to Heaven.” After the conclusion of her Las Vegas residency, Adele announced she was taking a break from music to explore other creative ventures, and now we know what she meant.
This cinematic project marks Ford’s first film in nearly a decade and features an astonishing all-star cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Colin Firth, and many more acclaimed actors. As we anticipate this lavish production set in 18th century Italy, let’s explore how you can channel the opulent, dramatic aesthetic of this period piece through complementary beauty looks.
A First Look at ‘Cry to Heaven’
Based on Anne Rice’s 1982 novel (the same author behind “Interview With the Vampire”), “Cry to Heaven” is set in 18th century Italy and follows the intersecting paths of two men: a Venetian noble and a castrated opera singer from Calabria, both striving to succeed in the world of opera. The story explores powerful themes of identity, betrayal, love, and the pursuit of artistic and personal freedom – themes that align perfectly with Ford’s previous cinematic explorations.
The film is currently in pre-production in London and Rome, with principal photography scheduled to begin in mid-January for an anticipated late autumn 2026 release. In a bold move characteristic of the former Gucci and YSL creative director, Ford has decided to self-finance the film, giving him complete creative control. He plans to find distribution after production is complete.
The Star-Studded Cast: A Who’s Who of Hollywood Talent
The ensemble Ford has assembled is nothing short of remarkable. Alongside Adele in her cinematic debut, the film features:
- Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in leading roles
- Academy Award-nominated Colin Firth, reuniting with Ford after their collaboration on “A Single Man”
- Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, and Ciaran Hinds
- Thandiwe Newton, Hunter Schafer, and Daryl McCormack
- Rising stars including Lux Pascal, Cassian Bilton, and Theodore Pellerin
For Taylor-Johnson, this marks another collaboration with Ford after his acclaimed performance in “Nocturnal Animals,” for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.
Creating Cinematic Beauty: 18th Century Italy Meets Modern Glam
While we await our first glimpse of Adele in character, we can imagine the opulent beauty aesthetic fitting for an 18th-century period piece directed by one of fashion’s most influential visionaries. Here’s how to channel this dramatic, artistic sensibility with modern beauty products that would feel perfectly at home in a Venetian opera house.
Opera-Ready Complexion
Achieving a flawless, photo-ready base is essential for channeling that cinematic elegance. The right complexion products can create that perfect blur-matte finish reminiscent of period drama aesthetics while ensuring your makeup stays put through any dramatic moments.
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – This cult-favorite powder delivers a poreless, airbrushed finish that would stand up to the heat of stage lights while maintaining skin’s natural radiance.
- Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder – Buildable coverage in a luxurious formula that blurs imperfections without settling into fine lines, perfect for creating that camera-ready complexion.
- MAC New Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation – A true two-in-one product that offers customizable medium-to-full coverage with 24-hour oil control and a blur-matte finish.
Dramatic Flush and Contour
In the world of opera, emotions run high and expressions must project to the back of the theater. Create your own dramatic dimension with these expertly formulated cheek products:
- NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush – For that natural, just-emoted flush that would perfectly complement the emotional scenes of an opera drama. The liquid formula melds with skin for a believable, long-lasting color.
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – Highly pigmented yet blendable color that can be sheered out for a subtle flush or built up for dramatic impact – much like the emotional range of the film’s characters.
- Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Stick in Amber – The perfect cool-toned shade for sculpting cheekbones that would make any 18th-century noble envious. The slim stick format allows for precise application.
Captivating Lips Fit for the Stage
No period drama beauty look is complete without statement lips. Whether you prefer a subtle tint or full-bodied color, these lip products deliver both drama and care:
- Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum – This innovative product combines the hydrating benefits of a serum with a glossy tint, creating a “high-shine glow” that lasts.
- Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil – A hybrid treatment and color product that gives lips a glossy, stained effect with comfortable wear.
- Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss – For those wanting both volume and shine, this iconic formula enhances lips’ natural fullness while providing a luxurious finish.
- rhode Peptide Lip Tint – A more natural approach to color that conditions while providing a believable, buildable wash of color.
The Finishing Touches: Setting and Skincare
No theatrical production is complete without attention to backstage preparation and ensuring the performance lasts through the final curtain call.
For primer preparation:
- e.l.f. Power Grip Primer – This grippy primer creates the perfect canvas for foundation, ensuring your cinematic look stays in place through emotional scenes and long hours.
For lasting power:
- Benefit The POREfessional Primer – A cult-classic that minimizes the appearance of pores while helping makeup adhere better and last longer.
For skincare that supports the show:
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum – Plumping hydration that ensures skin looks its best before any makeup application.
- Laneige Water Sleeping Mask – An overnight treatment to ensure skin is camera-ready by morning, providing intense hydration and restoring the moisture barrier.
Behind the Scenes: Tom Ford’s Return to Filmmaking
Tom Ford’s previous films have been both critical and commercial successes. His directorial debut, “A Single Man” (2009), earned an Oscar nomination and won Colin Firth the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival. His follow-up, “Nocturnal Animals” (2016), won the Grand Jury prize at Venice and earned nine BAFTA nominations.
Ford has described taking nearly a decade between films because he wanted to ensure he had “the right cast” for this project. The $2.8 billion sale of his Tom Ford fashion label to Estée Lauder in 2023 has given him the financial freedom to self-finance this passion project and maintain complete creative control.
Curtain Call: Anticipating a Cinematic Masterpiece
As we await the late 2026 release of “Cry to Heaven,” we can only imagine the visual spectacle that Tom Ford – with his impeccable aesthetic sensibilities – will create. The combination of Anne Rice’s rich narrative, a truly exceptional cast including Adele in her debut role, and the opulent setting of 18th century Italian opera promises a film that will be as visually stunning as it is emotionally powerful.
In the meantime, we can channel that dramatic, artistic energy through beauty looks that would make even the most seasoned opera singer proud. After all, in the worlds of both cinema and beauty, it’s all about storytelling, transformation, and the freedom to express who you are – themes that resonate beautifully with both Tom Ford’s filmography and Adele’s own artistic journey.