See How Arya Actually Face-Swapped in New GAME OF THRONES VFX Reel

Game of Thrones‘ seventh season started out with a bang — one achieved thanks to Arya Stark’s Faceless Men training in Braavos. After mastering the creepy art of face-stealing, the littlest Stark (still alive) made her way back to Westeros to take down House Frey as retribution for the Red Wedding, and the rest is history.

Now, thanks to Zoic Studios’ VFX reel, showing off some of their most recent work on the series, we can see how they got Walder Frey’s creepy face to look so dang creepy and real during Arya’s badass reveal at the end of the episode.

The company also did extensive work when it came to populating the worlds of the Citadel, Winterfell, and Dragonstone. We were especially wowed by the work they did the increase the size and scope of the dragonglass caves.

It’s subtle work, but ultimately the most important part of Game of Thrones is making all of these effects and magic (and dragons! and big-ass direwolves!) look and feel organic to the world. Without it, Game of Thrones would be just another mediocre fantasy adaptation that doesn’t live up to its true potential.

What do you think of the video? Let us know in the comments below.

Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor, creator/co-host of Fangirling, and resident Khaleesi of House Nerdist. Find her on Twitter!

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Images: HBO