In an Incredible Cast, the Best Performance in ‘Frankenstein’ Comes From the Most Misunderstood Character

Ever since James Whale introduced Boris Karloff’s version of the monster in 1931’s Frankenstein, audiences and filmmakers have been fascinated with the enigmatic creature from Mary Shelley’s classic novel. Even though Frankenstein became one of the pinnacle films within the early “Universal Monsters” era, Shelley’s original work belongs to the public domain and has thus inspired many different adaptations. Even if the creature is often referred to as one of cinema’s greatest villains, Guillermo del Toro’s version of the story is a reminder that Frankenstein is a tragedy. Although del Toro can always be expected to craft a nuanced, gothic epic filled with tremendous visuals, Frankenstein is emotionally devastating due to the career-best performance by Jacob Elordi.

Elordi may have first established himself as a heartthrob with his breakout role on Euphoria, but he has indicated an interest in working with brilliant filmmakers. In his collaborations with Sofia Coppola, Emerald Fennell, and Paul Schrader, Elordi has proven to be a chameleon of an actor who is willing to make dramatic transformations. However, Elordi was able to detail the evolution of Frankenstein’s monster in a way that no other adaptation has. Although the tremendous work done by the makeup department and special effects crew is to be commended, the heartbreaking loss of innocence suffered by the creature is a result of Elordi’s impressive turn. While Frankenstein could have served as an opportunity for a big-name star to soak up headlines with an extreme performance, Elordi proved he was the right actor for the job with the emotional maturity of his work.

Jacob Elordi Shows the Evolution of the Creature in ‘Frankenstein’

One of the most frustrating misinterpretations of Shelley’s novel is the notion that the creature is a brutish, aggressive monster who preys upon victims like a slasher villain. In actuality, the creature is quite intelligent and does not understand why society is so terrified by his existence. Elordi brought to life the nature of the creature’s birth of consciousness, as he is initially created by Victor (Oscar Isaac) with the intelligence of a newborn. His acclamation to the world mirrors a childlike sense of curiosity and wonder, even if he’s only exposed to fragments of society because of his confinement. Considering that del Toro’s film is divided into two halves, one from the perspective of each protagonist, Elordi’s performance takes center stage when the creature is given the chance to tell his story. It also draws a parallel between the creature’s abuse at the hands of Victor, who was himself harassed and bullied by his father (Charles Dance).

A core theme of del Toro’s film is that individuals cannot be judged for the sins of their parents, and should not have to tie themselves to a dark legacy; since Victor ends up channeling his obsessions as a result of the love denied to him by his father, the creature begins to question and even curse his own existence. Elordi’s version of the creature is put in more pain as he gains more knowledge, as it is further reminded to him that he’s unwanted. Although his initial motivations are banal attempts at survival, the creature begins to learn to mask his appearance and cover up his identity in fear of being ostracized. One of the film’s most moving moments is the extended conversation between the creature and the blind elderly man (David Bradley) who takes him in. In a brief moment, Elordi’s creature understands what it is like to be respected and cared for unabashedly for the first time.

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ Redefines Who the Monster Is

The physicality of Elordi’s creature is unlike previous depictions of Frankenstein because the film highlights that he is an amalgamation of different limbs and body parts, which results in his awkward positioning and movements. Although he is burdened by his inability to resemble human behavior, Elordi has a softness to his performance that explains why his relationship with Elizabeth Lavenza (Mia Goth) is so affecting. It may be suggested that the creature has romantic feelings for Elizabeth, which may explain his desire for a companion, but she also provides a maternal presence that he didn’t previously encounter (a notion strengthened by the fact that Goth also plays Victor’s mother in flashbacks). While the film leaves something to be desired in its treatment of female characters, Goth and Elordi bring a wholesome purity to their chemistry that is conveyed without nearly any words.

Del Toro’s Frankenstein features notable changes from the source material that allow Elordi to take ownership of the role in a manner that is distinct. Elordi’s creature is allowed to be heroic when he saves the ship led by Captain Anderson (Lars Mikkelsen), which shows the physical and emotional strength needed to put himself in danger for others. However, it’s even more powerful to see Elordi’s creature grant Victor the forgiveness that he has sought, signifying that he’s brought this cycle of abuse and neglect to an end. While Frankenstein is littered with great performances by Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, and Burn Gorman, among others, they’re effective because of their experience playing similar roles; even Isaac’s interpretation of Victor has a tinge of his methodical genius in Ex Machina or his overworked artist in Inside Llewyn Davis. Elordi may not have seemed like an obvious choice for such a demanding role, but his performance is enough to solidify Frankenstein as an instant classic.

Frankenstein is now available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.