Emotive reason Jacob Elordi was cast as Frankenstein’s Monster revealed by Guillermo del Toro as director also shares his family trauma

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Guillermo del Toro has always been fascinated by monsters, a theme that runs throughout his life growing up in Mexico and his 30-year film career. He doesn’t shy away from them – instead, he finds beauty and meaning in creatures like the terrifying Pale Man from his 2006 film Pan’s Labyrinth, or the gentle amphibian in his Oscar-winning 2017 film, The Shape of Water (he also won an Oscar for his animated Pinocchio in 2022). Now, Del Toro is tackling what he considers the ultimate monster: Frankenstein’s Creature, from Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel, in a new adaptation starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

I remember Guillermo del Toro telling me about how it all started. He was only eleven when he stumbled upon a Spanish copy of a classic gothic novel at the supermarket – he still has it! But the seed was planted even earlier. He saw Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein when he was seven, and it completely blew his mind. He actually described it as his ‘road to Damascus’ moment – a total revelation. He was practically giddy telling me this, we were at the Venice Film Festival celebrating the premiere of his beautiful new take on Frankenstein, and you could just feel how deeply that first monster movie had impacted him.

Now 61 years old, he’s been wanting to make this film his entire life—even before he first picked up a camera. He says his childhood was filled with iconic figures like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Frankenstein, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Pinocchio, which deeply influenced him. He especially connects with characters who are outsiders or different, like the Hunchback, the Phantom, and Frankenstein’s creature, explaining that he sees parts of himself in them and uses those feelings to create his art.

He’s been a Frankenstein enthusiast his entire life, amassing a collection that includes a full-sized sculpture of the creature created by designer Mike Hill, who worked on the original film. Guillermo del Toro, married to Kim Morgan since 2021, proudly displays these items in his living room. He jokes that it’s similar to seeing religious icons in a Catholic home – except his walls are adorned with monsters. It’s likely a playful rebellion against his strict Catholic upbringing.

Guillermo del Toro grew up in Guadalajara and had a comfortable childhood, especially after his father, Federico, won the lottery when he was young. Though his father had always been careful with money, the lottery win had two major effects on Guillermo. First, the family was able to visit Disneyland every year, which he credits as being very influential. Second, someone advised his father to buy a library now that he had wealth. While his father never read the books, Guillermo did, and he says it completely changed his life.

Guillermo del Toro extensively researched art and anatomy, using this knowledge as a guide for his adaptation of Frankenstein, the classic tale of a scientist who arrogantly attempts to create life from a reassembled corpse. Oscar Isaac plays the self-obsessed Dr. Victor Frankenstein, and at 6’5”, Jacob Elordi, known for his roles in Saltburn and The Narrow Road to the Deep North, is ideally cast as the Creature – a physically powerful being who experiences the world with fresh, childlike wonder. Del Toro was particularly struck by Elordi’s eyes, immediately recognizing him as the perfect fit for the role.

This film is considered one of the most accurate portrayals of Shelley’s novel and is a strong contender for Oscars this year. However, for director Guillermo del Toro, the project represents something more profound: an exploration of evolution. Del Toro’s earlier films often featured monsters as sympathetic figures and humans as the villains. But his 2021 film, Nightmare Alley, prompted him to consider more complex characters. He began to ask, “Can the hero also be the villain?” Frankenstein, he says, presents the same question – can the protagonist be flawed, and can a creature be both a victim and a perpetrator of violence?

Guillermo del Toro prefers to call his creations “creatures” rather than “monsters,” because the word “monster” feels too human. He believes true monstrosity isn’t found in fictional beings, but in real-world behavior. He points to those in power who appear charming but act terribly, and to harmful ideologies disguised as patriotism. He also criticizes the way AI is marketed – promising convenience while discouraging actual learning, which he argues harms our brains.

Beyond the usual suspects – politicians and wealthy tech leaders – Guillermo del Toro has faced genuine hardship. In 1998, his father was kidnapped and a $1 million ransom was demanded. Del Toro was in a difficult financial situation, having lost money on both his 1997 film, Mimic, and his 1992 debut, Cronos. Luckily, his friend James Cameron (director of Titanic) provided the funds to hire a hostage negotiator, who successfully secured the release of his father, Federico, after 72 days.

Guillermo del Toro still experiences intense anxiety when he thinks about his father’s kidnapping. He describes it as a deep, physical trauma he struggles to cope with. Even though he loves returning to his home country of Mexico – he also has homes in Toronto and Los Angeles – he quickly becomes overwhelmed with shortness of breath and agitation, forcing him to leave. While the kidnapping was a profoundly painful experience, he surprisingly says making the film Mimic was even more difficult, largely due to intense conflicts with the now-imprisoned producer Harvey Weinstein.

Following the success of Mimic, Guillermo del Toro carefully established himself in Hollywood by balancing large-scale studio films like Blade II (2002) and Pacific Rim (2013) with more intimate projects such as The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and Crimson Peak. The latter, his 2015 gothic drama, served as a visual preview for his planned Frankenstein adaptation. Despite a few setbacks – most notably withdrawing from The Hobbit in 2010 – del Toro is a uniquely gifted director capable of realizing his creative visions on an epic scale.

It hasn’t been easy, though. Directing, he explains, requires a unique combination of creativity and toughness – a bit like being a poet, a boxer, and someone who pushes things forward. He dislikes the term ‘visionary,’ finding it pretentious. He believes filmmaking isn’t about dreamy inspiration, but about hard work and overcoming obstacles – like hacking through a jungle. Despite jokingly referring to his build as a ‘curse,’ Del Toro possesses the energy of an adventurer or athlete. He sees filmmaking as a physically and mentally demanding endeavor, not a delicate artistic process.

Guillermo del Toro has been working with Netflix since 2022, creating projects like Pinocchio and the Cabinet of Curiosities anthology series, and now Frankenstein. While the film will have a limited release in theaters, del Toro isn’t worried that most viewers will watch it at home on smaller screens. He points out that he watched most classic Universal monster movies as a child on television. He understands the current entertainment landscape, explaining, “You first make the project for whoever is funding it.” He emphasizes that the most important thing is the ambition of the story, not the screen size: “You don’t sacrifice the size of the ideas.”

Luckily for Guillermo del Toro, horror movies consistently draw audiences. He believes horror helps us make sense of the world, explaining, “Beauty can sometimes feel overwhelming, but horror is actually freeing.” He also sees it as a great way to explore complex themes, pointing to filmmakers like David Cronenberg and Jordan Peele, who use horror to delve into philosophical and social issues. He particularly praised Zach Cregger’s upcoming film, Weapons, as a wonderfully crafted scare-fest.

Seeing Frankenstein finally released feels bittersweet, like both a triumph and a loss, as I’m sure Del Toro feels. He recently recalled a conversation with David Cronenberg – a friend of nearly three decades – who advised him that the key to a lasting career is constantly challenging yourself with projects that genuinely scare you, forcing you to grow as a filmmaker. And that’s exactly what Del Toro’s planning to do next. He’s diving into a gritty thriller called Fury, starring Oscar Isaac, and I’m intrigued. Perhaps this time, instead of creating monsters on screen, he’ll be exploring the darkness within us all.

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2025-10-28 05:05