Netflix recently released House of Guinness, an eight-part drama set in late 1800s Dublin about the famous Guinness family, which has already hit number one in the UK but is now facing backlash over “iPhone face.”
The show follows the four children of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness as they navigate family secrets, power struggles, and the fate of the brewery. It also doesn’t shy away from steamy scenes, adding to the show’s buzz.
But now, it’s facing backlash over a trend called iPhone face.
But what exactly is iPhone face?
Sorry but house of guinness is giving us the perfect example of an iphone face. One feels like they belong in that time period, while the other looks too modern and unrealistic pic.twitter.com/qfTnF6F094
— Eileen (@ComeOnEileenx) September 25, 2025
Speaking to the Standard, Beth Johnson, professor of Television and Media at the University of Leeds, explained, “Audiences are smart and can be quick to notice details that register as contemporary, like the evenness of teeth, the smoothness of skin, the styling of brows and lips.
“With high-definition and streaming platforms, these signals are more visible than ever, and they can make the ‘past’ appear filtered through a distinctly 2020s aesthetic.”
Simply put, it’s when actors in historical dramas look too modern. Basically, flawless skin, perfect teeth, sleek hair, and Instagram-ready features. With HD cameras and streaming platforms, these polished looks stand out, making the past feel a little too filtered and contemporary.
People have been quick to call out actors such as Louis Partridge for looking too polished to convincingly fit the era. One viewer tweeted, “Sorry but House of Guinness is giving us the perfect example of iPhone face. One feels like they belong in that time period, while the other looks too modern and unrealistic.” Others said the modern, flawless looks made it impossible to immerse themselves in the 1800s setting.
I cannot watch the House of Guinness because there’s too much iPhone face for me to try and look past
— em
(@youroulonemily) September 26, 2025
Not everyone agrees, though. Some viewers have pointed out that sharp jaws, plump lips, or smooth skin can be natural, and people really did look like that 200 years ago.
iPhone face isn’t just a problem for House of Guinness. People have also slammed the upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, as well as other period dramas like Bridgerton, for featuring actors whose modern, Instagram-ready looks clash with historical settings.
Well, iPhone face or not, the actors actually look too good to be true.
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