Guillermo del Toro, the master of dark fantasy, is bringing his unique vision to Mary Shelley’s classic tale, Frankenstein. Starring Jacob Elordi as the Creature, alongside Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, this operatic monster movie promises to be a chilling exploration of faith, fear, and the complex dynamics of fatherhood. This article delves into the exclusive first look revealed by Vanity Fair, exploring Elordi’s transformation, del Toro’s inspirations, and the film’s overarching themes.
Del Toro’s long-awaited passion project grapples with profound questions about creation, abandonment, and the search for meaning in a world filled with suffering. Set against the backdrop of a meticulously crafted 18th-century water tower laboratory, Frankenstein explores the twisted relationship between creator and creation. Prepare to enter a world where science meets mythology, and the line between man and monster blurs.
Del Toro’s Lifelong Fascination with Frankenstein
For Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein has been a lifelong obsession. After three decades of making movies, he finally gets to put his stamp on the iconic monster story. Del Toro, now 60, expressed concern about running out of time to realize this dream. “I’ve been doing movies for 30 years. I’m not going to be alive for 30 [more] years, I don’t think,” he said. Despite facing numerous rejections from Hollywood, Netflix ultimately greenlit his operatic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, set to debut in November.
Del Toro’s dedication to his craft is evident in his previous works, such as Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Pinocchio, where he refused to compromise his artistic vision. His unique blend of dark fantasy and poignant storytelling has garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, making him the perfect director to tackle the complex themes of Frankenstein.
Inside Dr. Frankenstein’s Haunting Laboratory
Vanity Fair was granted exclusive access to the Toronto set, where del Toro was filming the pivotal montage sequence of Dr. Frankenstein assembling his creature. Production designer Tamara Deverell transformed an 18th-century water tower into Dr. Viktor Frankenstein’s laboratory, creating a stunning blend of science fiction and ancient mythology. Four immense columns of green corrugated glass reach toward the chamber’s stone arches, glowing red with electricity drawn from storm clouds.
A stone sculpture of Medusa looms over the scene, a silent witness to the doctor’s macabre experiments. Del Toro describes himself as “an archeologist that creates his own ruins,” perfectly capturing the haunting beauty and moral decay at the heart of Frankenstein’s ambition.
“I am an archeologist that creates his own ruins,” – Guillermo del Toro.
Oscar Isaac’s Traumatized Dr. Frankenstein
Oscar Isaac portrays Dr. Frankenstein as a man driven by obsession, part surgeon, part mechanic. Del Toro instructs Isaac to approach the bone surgery with a carpenter-like mentality. “Bone surgery is a lot like carpentry,” del Toro explains. “They call it traumatology, because it causes such trauma. Somebody coming in with a box of tools.” Isaac embraces this perspective, joking that he will introduce himself as a traumatologist rather than an actor.
Isaac’s portrayal captures the ethical complexities of a scientist who sees himself as a creator, blurring the lines between innovation and destruction. His Frankenstein is not just a scientist, but a traumatized individual grappling with the consequences of his actions. Isaac, clad in red gloves and a stained shirt, fully embodies his role.
Jacob Elordi’s Shattered Creature
Jacob Elordi embodies the reanimated creature, his appearance resembling a shattered and reassembled marble statue from antiquity. The gruesome assembly results in rare time off for the Euphoria and Saltburn heartthrob. “I think that’s the one day I didn’t shoot,” Elordi says.
Del Toro’s vision of the Creature goes beyond the classic monster tropes. Instead, Elordi’s creature will resemble a piece of shattered marble, pieced back together. The makeup will emphasize the creature’s physical and emotional fragmentation. The cadaver props on set were each given unique identities, such as “Yorick,” a peeled skull with a beard, and “Canadian Bacon,” a flayed cadaver, highlighting the film’s gallows humor.
Exploring Themes of Family and Faith
Del Toro’s Frankenstein delves into the toxic family dynamics often overlooked in Mary Shelley’s novel. The film explores the parallels between Pinocchio and Frankenstein, examining the journey of a being from infancy to humanity, exposed to love, violence, and loss. The monster’s birth is staged with arms spread as on a crucifix, drawing connections to del Toro’s Roman Catholic background and the Book of Job.
The film critiques the cycle of abuse, as Isaac’s Dr. Frankenstein replicates the merciless treatment he received from his own father (Charles Dance). This creates a clash that leads both the scientist and his creation into a dead end of a frozen wasteland. Del Toro uses the monster’s suffering to question divine justice, mirroring Job’s lament, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and More
The stellar supporting cast includes Mia Goth as Elizabeth, the fiancée of Victor’s younger brother, who becomes a fixation for both Victor and the Creature. Christoph Waltz plays Harlander, an arms merchant who finances Dr. Frankenstein’s research, seeking a miracle gateway to immortality. David Bradley portrays the blind man who offers Elordi’s monster a moment of kindness. Goth’s Elizabeth has “quite an ethereal quality,” with costume designer Kate Hawley drawing inspiration from ’60s horror films.
The departure of Andrew Garfield due to scheduling conflicts led to Elordi’s casting. Makeup artist Mike Hill had only nine weeks to adjust the monster’s design. Hill describes Elordi as “a miracle that saved the movie,” praising his physicality and demeanor. The late illustrator Bernie Wrightson’s 1983 illustrated version of Frankenstein also served as a crucial inspiration, with Elordi turning his apartment into a shrine to Wrightson’s art.
A Modern Take on a Classic Tale
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally resonant adaptation of Mary Shelley’s timeless tale. With Jacob Elordi embodying the Creature and Oscar Isaac as the tormented Dr. Frankenstein, the film delves into themes of creation, abandonment, and the search for meaning. Del Toro’s unique blend of dark fantasy and poignant storytelling ensures a fresh perspective on this iconic story. Set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival before its release on Netflix in November, this operatic monster movie is poised to captivate audiences worldwide.
Ultimately, Del Toro’s film is a testament to the enduring power of Shelley’s story and the timeless themes it explores. By embracing the darkness and absurdity of the human condition, Frankenstein offers a profound meditation on the nature of existence, the burden of responsibility, and the possibility of redemption.
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