In the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, where irradiated flesh and decay define the landscape, one character defies expectations by looking unexpectedly “hot.” The Ghoul, portrayed by Walton Goggins, captivates audiences not just with his eerie presence but with a carefully crafted appearance that balances grotesque mutation and lingering humanity. Fallout’s associate costume designer Amy Westcott reveals the meticulous design choices behind this striking look – blending the character’s intellect and charm with the haunting reality of ghoulification, creating a figure both terrifying and strangely alluring.
While the look of some ghouls resembles chemical burns that could repulse viewers, not every monster is all that, well, ghoulish. When compared to the monstrosities of the games, characters like The Ghoul (played by Walton Goggins) seemed a bit tame. Sure, his nose didn’t survive the nuclear apocalypse, but video edits compiling clips from the show highlighted how weirdly hot he was. According to Fallout associate costume designer Amy Westcott, his look played into his larger story as a character.
“I think the only reason that he was downplayed in terms of being more grotesque was because he still had his wits about him,” Westcott said via Zoom. “When you get to those ghouls that are really, really gross, they were really losing their minds. So I think to keep Walton as a central character – in terms of him being still with us, so to speak – it was imperative to see him at a stage of ghoulness, not all the way gone. You know, he couldn’t be feral.”
<
To decide on Goggins’ final look, the team imagined different stages of “ghoulness.” Those that received the proper medications, like Goggins’ character, are still able to talk and conduct themselves as a regular human might, more or less. As we see, his body and overall functions are basically intact. However, other ghouls degenerate into a more stereotypical (and true-to-the-games) zombified state in which they can’t communicate and act more like feral animals.
“There were so many different degrees of ghoulness. There are feral ghouls that have been around for longer, and they’re kind of on their way out,” Westcott said. “They don’t make any sense anymore. We had to just get them to a deeper level. And so I worked with my textile department getting not just the ghouls right, but the feral ghouls, which are so far, far beyond the regular ghoul aging.”
Take a look at other related media, and there’s no shortage of zombies and similar monsters. Most recently, HBO helped bring the fungus-infused zombies known as Clickers to life in the Last of Us TV show, and there’s the latest installment in the ongoing Walking Dead universe. To Westcott, the ’50s theme of the Fallout series and ghouls set its monsters apart from any others.
“That’s an optimistic time. So really, I think that’s what [sets] us apart a little bit is, you know. You’re seeing this person with their skin falling off, but they have a bow tie on, or they have a saddle shoe or a poodle skirt. But they’re a wreck. So, there was a bit of optimism that we were trying to show in that too.”
To Westcott, details like these don’t just help distinguish ghouls from other similar monsters, but also reminds viewers of the humanity of those impacted by ghoulification.
“I think that keeping the ghouls human was really super important to us, because they were people once and that was important to remember. [.] Even the feral ghouls. I mean, they were supposed to be in rags, really. But then sometimes there would be a shoe or a tie or an earring, like, something. So you get some remnant that they were a person once, and I think that we all empathize with them as well.”
Why does The Ghoul look so strikingly attractive despite his grotesque appearance
The Ghoul’s striking attractiveness despite his grotesque, noseless, decayed appearance is a deliberate design choice rooted in his retained intellect and humanity. Fallout’s costume designer Amy Westcott explained that The Ghoul was intentionally toned down from a fully feral, monstrous look because he still possesses his wits and can communicate, unlike other ghouls who have lost their minds and become feral. This balance allows The Ghoul to maintain a certain charm and relatability, reflecting his stage of ghoulification where medication preserves much of his bodily functions and personality. The design team carefully crafted his look to convey both the ravages of radiation and a lingering optimism from the 1950s aesthetic, reminding viewers that beneath the decay, he was once a human being. This nuanced portrayal, combined with Walton Goggins’ performance, creates a character who is both haunting and strangely alluring, embodying the paradox of beauty within grotesqueness.
How does The Ghoul’s preserved intellect affect his attractive appearance
The Ghoul’s preserved intellect plays a crucial role in making his appearance more attractive and compelling, despite his grotesque features. Because he retains his mind and personality, he is able to express complex emotions, wit, and charm-qualities that shine through his physical transformation. The show’s makeup and effects team intentionally kept the prosthetics thin and avoided obscuring Walton Goggins’ eyes, allowing his humanity and expressiveness to remain visible. This decision ensured that viewers could still connect with the character on an emotional level, reading his thoughts and feelings through his gaze and facial expressions.
As a result, The Ghoul stands out from feral ghouls, who lose their intellect and become animalistic, losing all traces of their former selves and any potential for relatability or attractiveness. By preserving his intellect, The Ghoul maintains a link to his original human identity, making his character both haunting and strangely alluring.
