Designing Horror: The Art of VFX Horror Behind From's Kimono Woman
There are many fan theories about the Kimono Woman from From. Is she a future version of Fatima, a servant of the monsters that live in the forest, or merely a trapped spirit seeking redemption?
What WeFX knew early on was that the Kimono Woman needed to create maximum psychological impact and leave viewers wanting to know more throughout seasons two and three.
From, created by John Griffin, is a dark, atmospheric series where VFX plays a starring role.
The monsters and creatures that infect the mysterious and inescapable small town at the center of the story are some of the most inventive and memorable visual effects the WeFX team has brought to life.
The Kimono Woman, however, stood out as a particularly rewarding creative challenge.
Led byVFX Supervisor Ryan Ng and Head of Creature Development Cesar Dacol Jr., the team designed a character that pushed the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal. Debuting in season two and becoming a central figure in season three, she demanded a careful fusion of elegance and menace.
Ng and Dacol Jr. aimed to capture emotion and believability in this skeletal, haunting figure. They used the facial action coding system (FACS) to develop nuanced expressions, layering musculoskeletal detail beneath ghostly skin textures. This added a level of realism that helped ground the character within the unsettling world of the show.
Every stage of her creation involved close collaboration. Live creative sessions with the showrunners enabled real-time feedback and ensured that the character’s design aligned with the show’s emotional and narrative goals.
To bring the Kimono Woman to life, WeFX employed the full VFX toolbox:
● ZBrush for sculpting
● Maya for animation
● Houdini for simulations
● Arnold for rendering
● Nuke for compositing
As the storylines in From continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: its creatures—equal parts terrifying and mesmerizing—are the beating heart of this dark and twisted world.
Production on the 10-episode season 4 begins in 2025, with new episodes expected to drop sometime in 2026.
Looking for creature design and VFX that merge realism and horror? Start a Project with WeFX!
Toronto-Based VFX Studio Working Worldwide
High-end visual effects, CGI, and post-production services for film, TV, and streaming productions across North America and beyond.
