Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has finally premiered on Netflix, offering viewers a fresh and intense take on the classic tale. Central to this retelling is Jacob Elordi’s unexpected casting as the monster, a role that marks a dramatic departure from his previous work and brings new depth to this iconic character.
This highly anticipated film, which features Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, showcases del Toro’s signature blend of rich visual design and compelling storytelling, with Elordi’s portrayal capturing the complex emotions of the creature in a way that deeply resonates. The Jacob Elordi Frankenstein role stands out as a highlight of the production, underscoring the actor’s growth and versatility.
The Moment Guillermo del Toro Knew Jacob Elordi Was the Perfect Choice
Del Toro has envisioned this project for years, carefully shaping the story and characters before bringing them to life. When it came to casting the Creature, the director experienced a defining moment during his first conversation with Elordi over Zoom. Del Toro immediately recognized a unique connection between the actor and the role, sharing the moment with co-star Oscar Isaac:
“When I spoke with Jacob the first time on Zoom, I texted Oscar, timestamped, and I said, ‘I found him. We found him.’ You can talk about range, you can talk about this, but it’s essence. If the character’s essence is perfect for the actor, or the actor’s to the character, you don’t have to think again. You just tailor it to them, and watch them grow. They can’t fail.”
– Guillermo del Toro, Director
This instant certainty speaks to the magnetic connection Elordi had with the Creature, beyond traditional acting skills. Del Toro’s confidence in Elordi’s ability allowed the actor to fully develop the role throughout filming, resulting in a nuanced performance that captures the monster’s inner turmoil and humanity.
Jacob Elordi’s Transformative Performance as Frankenstein’s Monster
Known mainly for his roles in Netflix’s rom-com series The Kissing Booth and the intense drama Euphoria, Elordi’s involvement in Frankenstein is a striking contrast to his previous work. Rather than relying on his usual screen presence, Elordi embraces an entirely different physical and emotional scope, often obscured by makeup and prosthetics. This transformation freed him from the typical focus on appearance and allowed him to connect with the creature’s internal experiences.
“I love it. It’s really nice because I can see how I feel inside when I watch the film, but I can’t see me. So it makes it a lot easier to enjoy the picture as a whole because if it was me on screen without all of that, I think I’d be sitting there scratching holes in my head. But I see a lot of myself behind closed doors.”
– Jacob Elordi, Actor
Elordi found this masking liberating, as it helped him focus on the emotional depth of the character without distraction. His performance draws from personal insight, giving the monster a voice and presence that feels fresh yet deeply rooted in the tragic origins of the story.
Crafting the Creature’s Distinctive Voice and Physicality
One of the unique challenges Elordi faced was developing a voice for the Creature that conveyed both its raw power and underlying sensitivity. Collaborating closely with del Toro and Oscar Isaac, Elordi worked on shaping a vocal style that evolved alongside the character’s narrative arc. The filming process, structured largely in chronological order, offered him the rare chance to grow the Creature’s voice organically.
“While we were filming, [Guillermo would] come back from the edit the next morning, and he’d say to me, ‘There’s a gravel that needs to be there,’ because I was developing with the Creature as the Creature developed in the film. I was lucky enough to, for the most part, shoot it in something of a chronological order. So I got to develop the voice as I played it live. But I had a lot of conversations with [pointing at Oscar] Gerry early on, and there was this kind of throat chant thing that we would practice and work on, but it was something that evolved.
– Jacob Elordi, Actor
“A Tibetan throat chant. But it was something that evolved, depending on the physicality of the scene or how he’s being treated in the moment affects the way his voice works. And there’s also a sensitivity that you want to find because you don’t just want to growl and do something that doesn’t mean anything. But I think the voice really comes from every incision, every memory, every different bit of flesh, every life lived — you have to build something that sounds like that.”
– Jacob Elordi, Actor
Elordi’s use of a Tibetan throat chant as inspiration for the Creature’s vocalizations exemplifies the detailed thought put into bringing the character to life. This blend of physical expression and vocal nuance deepens the portrayal, making the monster’s suffering and complexity more palpable than previous versions by legends like Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, and Robert De Niro.
Key Cast and Creative Team Behind Netflix’s Frankenstein
The film features Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who embodies the obsessive scientist driven to challenge natural laws. Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the Creature provides a compelling counterpart, grounded in emotional reality and a clear sense of identity despite the character’s tragic origins. The collaborative efforts of acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro and the talented cast result in a powerful reimagining of a timeless story.
- Oscar Isaac: Portrays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the visionary scientist behind the creation.
- Jacob Elordi: Brings a fresh and intense interpretation to the role of the Creature.
Del Toro’s approach to production design and art direction further amplifies the film’s impact, setting a dark, gothic atmosphere that immerses viewers in the haunting world of Frankenstein. The combination of striking visuals, compelling performances, and a redefined storyline positions this Netflix release as a standout achievement.
Impact of the Netflix Release and Future Expectations
This new Frankenstein adaptation arrives at a moment when audiences seek innovative takes on classic literature and characters. The Jacob Elordi Frankenstein role not only expands Elordi’s career but also challenges traditional depictions of the monster by emphasizing emotional depth and vocal expression.
As subscribers experience this gripping story on Netflix, del Toro’s film is likely to spark renewed interest in Frankenstein, inspiring discussions about the nature of creation, identity, and what it means to be human. The success of the movie may also pave the way for further collaborations between the director and actors like Elordi and Isaac, who have delivered performances marked by intensity and nuance.
