Why Frankenstein does not deserve to be left out in the cold in the Oscars 2026 best picture race

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Oscar Isaac, who delivers a convincing British accent, stars as Victor Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi plays the Creature he brings to life. This adaptation takes some liberties with the original novel, and audiences have had mixed reactions – some appreciate the changes, while others don’t.

The film introduces Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), a rich arms dealer who provides the funding for Frankenstein’s work. His niece, Lady Elizabeth Harlander (Mia Goth, who also plays Victor’s mother, Claire), is engaged to Victor’s brother. In the original novel, Elizabeth is known as Elizabeth Lavenza – an orphan taken in by the Frankenstein family and raised as Victor’s cousin and future wife.

The most significant change is that the traditionally violent Creature is now portrayed as more sympathetic, reacting defensively rather than with uncontrolled anger. Meanwhile, Frankenstein himself is depicted as more aggressive and even cruel. This aligns with Shelley’s original intention – that the true monster is the man, and the Creature is the one with morals – and del Toro emphasizes this point even further.

The movie features a significant scene – often missing from other versions – where the Creature learns to speak and read with the help of a blind teacher who doesn’t know what he looks like. This scene is crucial for understanding the Creature’s character.

After seeing an online comment calling him a “boring plank of wood” and suggesting his only role should be Frankenstein’s monster, Jacob Elordi became determined to play the part. He approached it with a lot of heart and a sense of childlike wonder. Guillermo del Toro cast him specifically because of his eyes, which conveyed innocence and purity.

There’s been a lot of talk about how good-looking Jacob Elordi is, and some commentary, like a comparison in a BBC article to a “vegetarian Dracula,” feels unnecessary and reduces him to his appearance. While the character he plays is supposed to be monstrous, simply recreating the classic, familiar look wouldn’t have been innovative or exciting.

Guillermo del Toro explained to Entertainment Weekly that he didn’t want the creature to look like it was simply stitched back together after an injury. He envisioned Victor as both a skilled artist and a surgeon, believing that after a lifetime of dreaming about creating life, he would succeed in making something truly beautiful. Del Toro described the creature as resembling a newborn, with pale, alabaster skin, and scars that were elegant and almost streamlined.

Jacob Elordi is incredibly moving as the Creature in Frankenstein, desperately wanting acceptance, and he brings the same heartbroken energy to his role as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. His powerful acting, especially his expressive eyes, makes both performances captivating. Oscar Isaac is equally compelling and visually striking as he portrays Frankenstein’s growing madness.

Despite Doug Jones’s incredible performance as the Amphibian Man in Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning The Shape of Water going unrecognized by the Academy, Jacob Elordi’s nomination for best supporting actor marks a real breakthrough for performances done while portraying creatures. These kinds of roles are often overlooked during awards season, much like the horror genre itself.

While Frankenstein has already received accolades for its hair, makeup (including a ten-hour prosthetic application for Jacob Elordi), costumes, and production design – and Elordi himself won a Critics’ Choice Award – a Best Picture win would be a landmark achievement. This year is especially strong for horror films, with Weapons and Sinners – leading the nominations with 16 – also in contention, alongside The Ugly Stepsister which is nominated for best makeup and hairstyling.

It’s disappointing that Frankenstein only played in theaters for three weeks before coming to Netflix, because this is a film that truly shines on the big screen. The visuals are incredible, relying on impressive practical effects and costumes, and the Creature’s powerful roar of “Victorrrr” is best experienced with immersive surround sound.

The film’s ending offers a moving contrast to the original story. Instead of revenge, the Creature finds Frankenstein as he’s dying and offers him forgiveness. Frankenstein, in turn, accepts responsibility for creating the Creature and apologizes for abandoning him, acknowledging him as his own son.

The scene is deeply moving and impactful. As the Creature walks across the icy Arctic landscape, he lifts his face to the sun, a gesture learned from Frankenstein, and begins to weep. This leaves the audience with a feeling of hope instead of sadness. While the original book is a classic, del Toro’s ending is particularly touching, and arguably even more powerful.

One Battle after Another has been a strong contender so far and is currently the film to watch, but Sinners’ vampires are also gaining attention, challenging Frankenstein’s Creature for recognition. This popular film deserves to be a serious contender for an Oscar.

Authors

Laura Rutkowski

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2026-03-11 11:42