You’ve seen it. Whether you were scrolling through TikTok edits or caught a trailer for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, there is something about the Mason Thames side profile that people just can't stop talking about. It’s weird, right? One day a guy is just the kid from The Black Phone, and the next, he’s become the blueprint for what the internet calls "sculpted" features.
Honestly, the obsession makes sense.
Mason has this specific facial structure that photographers love. It’s that sharp, almost aggressive jawline paired with a classic, slightly "old Hollywood" nose shape. When he’s filmed from the side, you really see the transition from child actor to a leading man with a presence that’s way beyond his 18 years. He was born in 2007, but if you saw a silhouette of his profile, you’d swear he was a seasoned pro from a 90s indie flick.
What's the Big Deal With the Mason Thames Side Profile?
Fans aren't just being dramatic. There is actually a lot of geometry happening here. When people talk about a "perfect" side profile in Hollywood, they’re usually looking for a few specific markers: a strong chin, a straight nasal bridge, and a well-defined jaw.
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Mason hits all of them.
His jawline is famously "sharp enough to cut glass," which sounds like a cliché until you see him in How to Train Your Dragon. As Hiccup, he’s supposed to be this somewhat awkward Viking, but the camera sometimes struggles to make him look "un-cool" because his profile is so strikingly defined. Some fans on Reddit even joked that his jaw was "too sharp" for the role of a scrawny Viking teen.
It's All in the Bone Structure
Basically, it comes down to a few things:
- The Mandible: His lower jaw has a very clear, 90-degree-ish angle.
- The Brow Bone: It’s prominent enough to give his eyes that "deep-set" look, which adds a ton of drama to side-view shots.
- The Neckline: Because he’s a former ballet dancer—yeah, he did ballet for years—he has incredible posture. That "ballet neck" makes his side profile look even more elongated and elegant.
He isn't just standing there; he knows how to hold his head. That’s the dancer in him. It’s about lines.
From The Black Phone to Leading Man
If you go back and watch The Black Phone (2021), Mason looks like a baby. He was about 13 or 14 during filming. Back then, his profile was softer. You could see the potential, but the "Mason Thames side profile" hadn't fully loaded yet.
Fast forward to 2025 and 2026, and the transformation is wild.
In the sequel, The Black Phone 2, the director uses his profile to convey a lot of the trauma his character, Finney, has been through. A side shot of an actor allows the audience to see their expression without the actor "looking" at them. It feels more private. More raw.
The "Mewing" Rumors and the Internet's Reaction
Look, we have to talk about it. Whenever a young actor gets a glow-up, the internet starts screaming about "mewing" or "looksmaxxing."
Is Mason Thames doing tongue exercises to sharpen his jaw? Probably not.
He’s just growing up. Genetics are a hell of a drug. Most of what people are seeing is just the natural loss of "baby fat" that happens when you hit your late teens. Plus, as we mentioned, the guy spent a huge chunk of his life in professional ballet. That kind of physical discipline changes how your muscles sit, even in your face and neck.
Social media has a way of turning a normal human face into a "trend." You'll find thousands of "Mason Thames side profile" edits on CapCut with heavy filters and slow-motion zooms. It’s sort of the new-gen version of having a poster on your wall.
Why Photographers Love Him
Behind-the-scenes photographers from his Seventeen and Hunger Magazine shoots often highlight his profile. Why? Because it requires less lighting work. When you have a strong brow and a clear jaw, the shadows fall exactly where they should. You don't have to "find" the light; the face creates its own depth.
He's also been showing up at Louis Vuitton and Gucci shows lately. In the fashion world, a "strong profile" is basically currency. It’s why he’s transitioning so easily from "horror kid" to "fashion icon."
The Impact on His Acting
Does a side profile actually help you act? Kinda.
Think about some of the greats. Timothée Chalamet. Cillian Murphy. These guys have very specific, angular faces. It allows them to play "tortured" or "intense" characters because their faces hold shadows so well.
Mason is moving into that same category. When he plays Hiccup, he has to balance being a dork with being a hero. That transition is often shown through his physical evolution. As he grows into his features, the audience sees the character growing into his leadership.
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What You Can Learn from Mason’s "Look"
You don’t need to be a Hollywood star to appreciate the aesthetics here. A lot of what makes the Mason Thames side profile stand out is actually just great grooming and posture.
- Posture is Everything: Seriously. Mason’s ballet background is his secret weapon. If you slouch, your jawline disappears. If you stand tall, everything tightens up.
- The Right Haircut: Mason often wears his hair with some volume on top and a bit of a "side-sweep." This balances out an angular face. If his hair was flat, his jaw might look too long.
- Confidence in the "In-Between": He’s at that age where he’s not quite a kid and not quite a man. He leans into it. He isn't trying to look 30. He’s 18, and he looks like a very polished version of 18.
Mason Thames is clearly here to stay. Whether it’s his talent (which is huge—The Black Phone was a masterclass) or his "perfect" profile, he’s captured a specific moment in pop culture.
If you're looking to keep up with his career, keep an eye on his red-carpet appearances for The Black Phone 2. You’ll see exactly what everyone is talking about. The camera just doesn't miss when he’s in the frame.
Next time you’re watching one of his movies, pay attention to the scenes where he isn’t looking directly at the camera. That’s usually where the best acting—and the best lighting—happens.