Jacob Elordi Opens Up About Playing Frankenstein: “It Wasn’t Tortured, It Was Liberating”
Image via IANS
Los Angeles, Oct 8 (TheTrendingPeople) — Hollywood star Jacob Elordi, known for his striking performances in Saltburn and Euphoria, has revealed that his experience playing The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein was anything but torturous. The 28-year-old actor described the set as a “safe space” where creativity flowed freely, crediting del Toro for crafting a deeply immersive yet emotionally supportive atmosphere.
“Once the Prosthetics Go On, You Become The Creature”
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Elordi reflected on the intensity of the role — both physically and emotionally.
“There’s a certain point once the prosthetics go on where they kind of demand that you are The Creature, and there’s a level of focus that needs to come to the role,” he explained. “But at the same time, Guillermo created such a free set. I hate when people say this, but he really created a safe space, so it was creatively very liberating to be on that set.”
Elordi emphasized that his portrayal was not about method-acting extremes or self-inflicted suffering often associated with such deeply psychological roles.
“It wasn’t like this idea everyone has of being Method — tortured and suffering while everyone else suffers so you can get a performance. It was a little different to that,” he said.
Guillermo del Toro’s Long-Awaited Passion Project
For Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, the Netflix Frankenstein adaptation is a long-cherished dream finally realized. Having wanted to reinterpret Mary Shelley’s gothic classic for years, del Toro described the experience as emotionally complex — a mixture of relief, joy, and post-completion melancholy.
“It’s postpartum depression and celebration at the same time,” del Toro admitted. “When the horizon shifts that brutally — like when you dream of making the team or graduating and then it happens — you feel that sudden drop. But the joy of having achieved, with a great team, a very operatic, beautiful, epic, intimate story about fathers and sons, and the power of forgiveness and acceptance, makes it all worthwhile.”
The filmmaker’s signature storytelling style — blending fantasy, horror, and human emotion — promises a deeply layered take on Frankenstein, one that goes beyond traditional monster-versus-creator narratives.
Exploring Two Perspectives: The Creature and the Creator
According to del Toro, the film’s emotional depth stems from portraying both sides of Shelley’s story — The Creature and Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac.
“That’s what we’re not doing enough right now,” del Toro explained. “We are showing one perspective or another, and complexity comes from recognizing the other — and realizing that the other is you. If you can identify that there’s no ‘you and me’ but ‘us,’ it becomes an urgent tale to tell.”
This philosophical lens suggests that del Toro’s Frankenstein will move beyond horror tropes to explore the moral and emotional gray areas of creation, responsibility, and empathy.
The Physical Transformation: “10 Hours a Day in Makeup”
Bringing The Creature to life was no easy feat. Del Toro revealed that Elordi underwent a grueling 10-hour makeup process every day to achieve the iconic look — a commitment that tested endurance but also underscored the depth of craftsmanship involved in the production.
Elordi’s dedication, combined with del Toro’s visionary direction, promises a visually striking and emotionally resonant interpretation of one of literature’s most enduring characters.
A New Kind of Frankenstein for a Modern Audience
Netflix’s upcoming Frankenstein marks a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of gothic cinema. Rather than relying solely on the horror and tragedy of Shelley's original novel, del Toro appears to have infused the story with themes of identity, empathy, and redemption — ideas that resonate deeply in today’s world.
With a cast led by Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth, the film promises to deliver both visual grandeur and emotional intimacy — hallmarks of del Toro’s filmmaking style seen in masterpieces like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.
Jacob Elordi: From Saltburn to Shelley’s Monster
Elordi’s recent career trajectory — from the darkly alluring Saltburn to del Toro’s Frankenstein — highlights his growing versatility as an actor willing to take on psychologically complex roles. His approach to The Creature reflects a maturing artistic sensibility: one focused on authenticity rather than shock value.
By rejecting the traditional “method torture” narrative and embracing a more grounded, emotionally connected performance, Elordi offers a fresh take on one of literature’s most misunderstood figures.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein promises to be more than just another monster movie — it’s a cinematic meditation on creation, compassion, and what it means to be human. With Jacob Elordi’s transformative performance and Oscar Isaac’s gravitas, the film could redefine how modern audiences perceive Shelley’s timeless tale.
As del Toro himself said, the story of Frankenstein is ultimately about fathers, sons, and the healing power of acceptance. And with a cast and crew devoted to telling that story with empathy and depth, Netflix’s adaptation is poised to become one of the most anticipated releases of the year.