Prepare to meet a Creature unlike any before. Netflix has revealed the full, haunting look of Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s monster in Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated film, a portrayal that promises a profound return to Mary Shelley’s original vision with a deeply emotional core.
The highly anticipated first full look at Jacob Elordi as the iconic Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein has been officially unveiled by Netflix. This reveal gives fans a clear view of how the acclaimed director and his team have reimagined the monstrous creation, aiming for a portrayal deeply rooted in the novel’s descriptions rather than previous cinematic interpretations.
Posted on Netflix’s social media accounts, the portrait of the Euphoria star as Victor Frankenstein’s reanimated patchwork being (portrayed by Oscar Isaac) was accompanied by additional cast photos, igniting discussions across fan communities. The film is currently enjoying a limited theatrical release and is set to premiere globally on Netflix on November 7.
A Creature Reborn: Fidelity to Mary Shelley’s Original Text
Elordi’s Creature is a striking departure from the square-headed, short-haired monster immortalized by Boris Karloff in the 1930s films. Del Toro’s rendition embraces a more literary accuracy, presenting the monster with pale skin, an intricate tapestry of scars, a notable absence of eyebrows, and flowing, ratty dark hair extending past his shoulders. This visual aligns closely with Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, which famously described the creature as having “flowing” hair of “lustrous black,” a “shriveled complexion,” and “watery eyes.”
This commitment to the source material has been a hallmark of Guillermo del Toro’s long-held dream to bring Frankenstein to the screen. The Shape of Water filmmaker expressed his vision for Elordi’s look to Entertainment Weekly in September, calling him “staggeringly beautiful, in an otherworldly way.” Del Toro emphasized, “Victor is as much an artist as he is a surgeon, and if he’s been dreaming about this creature for all his life, he’s going to nail it.” He further described it as a “newborn, alabaster creature” with “beautiful and almost aerodynamic” scars.
Del Toro’s Artistic Philosophy: Avoiding the ‘Accident Victim’
Del Toro meticulously crafted the creature’s aesthetic, clarifying his intent to avoid the perception of an “accident victim that has been patched [together].” Instead, the patches of flesh are designed to appear from “different bodies, so it has different colors” across its form, with “hues [that] are pale but almost translucent,” evoking the feeling of “a newborn soul.” This thoughtful approach underscores Del Toro’s deep appreciation for the gothic horror classic and his desire to present a creature that is both terrifying and profoundly vulnerable.
Jacob Elordi’s Commitment: A Soulful Performance
The physical transformation required for Elordi’s role was immense, demanding a 10-hour daily makeup application process. This dedication meant working grueling 20-hour days, often starting on set at 10 p.m. the night before an early call time. Despite the rigorous schedule, Guillermo del Toro praised Elordi’s unwavering commitment, noting to Variety that he “never once did he come to me and complain.”
Elordi himself spoke about the profound impact of the role, stating that playing the Creature “changed me fundamentally—changed the way that I approach performance and the way that I watch movies.” Del Toro recounted Elordi’s touching sentiment: “‘This creature is more me than me.’… He brought a truth to this performance that’s really something to behold,” as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The Intertwined Fate of Creator and Creation
Oscar Isaac, who portrays the driven scientist Victor Frankenstein, lauded Elordi’s portrayal as “heartbreaking,” describing him as “both scary and strange and mysterious and graceful, and very beautiful.” Isaac delved into the deep connection between his character and the Creature, explaining, “They are a mirror of each other… They’re just these twin things, much like what [del Toro’s] story’s about: The way that a father passes on to a son, and that son becomes a father and passes it on to his son, and the way these circles just keep going and keep going.” This thematic depth hints at a powerful, emotionally charged narrative for the film.
A Star-Studded Ensemble and Production Shifts
The film boasts a phenomenal ensemble cast joining Elordi and Isaac, including Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Christian Convery. Notably, Jacob Elordi took over the role of the Creature from Andrew Garfield, who exited the project due to scheduling conflicts caused by strike-related production postponements, as reported by Deadline. This change ultimately allowed Elordi to step into a role that Del Toro described as requiring immense “soulfulness.”
Del Toro’s Lifelong Dream and a Budding Monster Universe?
For Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein is more than just a project; it’s been a lifelong passion. He revealed that he has “been wanting to do for 50 years since I saw the first Frankenstein.” This deep-seated connection promises an adaptation crafted with immense care and reverence. Furthermore, producer J. Miles Dale, who collaborated with Del Toro on Cabinet of Curiosities, hinted at a broader vision, suggesting that Del Toro is “doing his own monster universe.” This intriguing prospect, following Del Toro’s acclaimed monster film The Shape of Water, has fans speculating about the future of his unique take on classic creatures.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is now playing in select theaters, building anticipation for its streaming debut on Netflix on November 7. With its faithful yet visionary approach to Mary Shelley’s masterpiece and a dedicated cast, this adaptation is set to deliver a deeply emotional and visually stunning experience for classic horror fans.
