Guillermo del Toro has revealed the secret behind his casting of Jacob Elordi as The Monster in his upcoming Frankenstein: it was all in the eyes. In a recent interview, the director explained that Elordi won the role because his gaze carries a deep humanity. “Jacob’s eyes are so full of humanity. I cast him because of his eyes,” del Toro said, underscoring how crucial that sense of innocence and vulnerability would be for a creature traditionally defined by menace.
Del Toro also pointed to Elordi’s performance in Saltburn as a turning point. He praised the actor’s ability to convey innocence and openness, noting that Elordi could embody a victim in a Tom Ripley–type scenario with a remarkable range. “I saw Saltburn, and I loved his innocence and openness. He plays the victim … and I thought he played it with a lot of range,” the filmmaker said.
The director gave a glimpse into his distinctive design for The Monster, which departs from iconic, scarred conventions. He described the creature as a “jigsaw puzzle,” intentionally avoiding symmetric scars or obvious sutures. The look aims to be both beautiful and unsettling, almost like a newborn brought into a grotesque harmony. Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, is a surgeon whose task is to assemble the disparate parts into a cohesive whole, a process that mirrors the creature’s own transformation.
Del Toro emphasized that Frankenstein has been a lifelong project. He told reporters that the film has taken 30 years to come to fruition, a dream he has nurtured since his early days in the industry. The project moved through Universal’s development system before the studio ultimately passed, but the visionary director’s persistence has paid off as fans await his unique rendition of the Frankenstein myth.
The film is slated for a limited theatrical release in October before its Netflix debut on November 7. Its festival premiere at the Venice International Film Festival has audiences counting down to what promises to be a visually arresting and emotionally resonant reimagining of the classic tale.
Additional context from del Toro’s remarks suggests the adaptation will blend his signature lush, atmospheric style with a character-driven core, aiming to highlight humanity and vulnerability within a figure historically steeped in horror. If successful, this Frankenstein could offer a hopeful, revitalized take on a familiar legend, grounded in meticulous craft and a profound respect for the creature’s complex existence.
Summary: Jacob Elordi’s selection as The Monster hinges on the humanity his eyes convey and his capacity for nuanced vulnerability, reinforced by a distinctive “jigsaw puzzle” design that reflects the surgeon’s task of assembling a coherent whole. The decades-long journey to this project, the high-profile cast, and the Venice premiere build anticipation for a fresh, visually striking interpretation of the Frankenstein story, with Netflix bringing the film to a wide audience later this year.
Note: The article reflects positive anticipation for a new interpretation of a storied horror classic, emphasizing craftsmanship, character depth, and a hopeful outlook for audiences.