Netflix has unleashed a monstrous transformation that's captivating audiences worldwide. Guillermo del Toro's highly anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein has finally arrived on the streaming platform, featuring Jacob Elordi as the iconic Creature in what critics are calling both a dream and nightmare brought to life.
The Gruelling Transformation Process
Behind the terrifying yet compelling appearance of the Creature lies an extraordinary tale of endurance and artistry. For actor Jacob Elordi, becoming the monster required an incredible ten hours in the makeup chair each filming day - nearly half a day spent transforming into Mary Shelley's legendary creation.
Special effects and makeup artist Mike Hill and his team meticulously assembled the Creature's appearance through what can only be described as a marriage of prosthetics and patience. The process involved working on Elordi's entire body and face, with the actor's impressive six-foot-five-inch height providing the perfect physical foundation for the character.
More Than Just Physical Transformation
While Elordi's physical attributes made him ideal for the role, Hill emphasized that the actor brought much more to the table. "I know that there's a lot of press saying how good [Elordi] was physically for the part. Yes, he was a fabulous canvas for me to play with and to work this creature on. But there's also a soul in there, and there's an active performance in there," Hill told ELLE magazine.
The commitment required was immense, with Elordi needing additional 90 minutes to remove the prosthetics after each shooting day. The team even installed an inflatable sauna in Elordi's trailer to help with the removal process. Remarkably, despite the grueling routine that Hill warned would make the actor "hate my face at 2 a.m.," Elordi never complained throughout the entire process.
The Anatomy of a Monster
The Creature's design was deeply rooted in human anatomy, with extensive research going into every aspect from the jigsaw-piece body parts to the clothing. The importance of getting the look right was paramount - del Toro had told Hill early on, "Mike, I'm doing Frankenstein. If you don't make the creature, we're not making the movie. So it's up to you."
To achieve the complete transformation, Hill's team had to assemble 42 individual pieces, including 14 specifically for the head and neck area. This painstaking attention to detail has resulted in a Creature that's both terrifying and sympathetic, perfectly capturing the essence of Shelley's original novel.
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein features Oscar Isaac as the ambitious scientist Victor Frankenstein and Mia Goth in leading roles alongside Jacob Elordi. The film represents a new interpretation of the 1818 classic, exploring themes of ambition, creation, and humanity that remain relevant centuries after the novel's first publication.
The film is now available for streaming exclusively on Netflix, complete with behind-the-scenes footage that showcases the incredible effort behind Elordi's transformation into one of literature's most enduring monsters.
