Jacob Elordi wins praise for haunting turn in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

Jacob Elordi stuns critics with a powerful performance as Frankenstein’s monster in Guillermo del Toro’s new film.

Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on August 30, drawing attention for its ambitious take on the classic story.

The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the monster, with critics widely praising Elordi’s performance.

Early reviews have been mixed overall, with Frankenstein holding a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, critics consistently highlight Elordi’s portrayal of the creature as a standout. The Hollywood Reporter described his performance as “revelatory,” noting the depth and emotion in his interpretation. Vulture and IndieWire also emphasized how Elordi brought psychological complexity and a fresh perspective to the character, with comparisons to Boris Karloff’s iconic portrayal from the 1930s.

Radio Times praised Elordi’s “dexterity” in a performance marked by physical expressiveness and emotional weight. Oscar Isaac has also received recognition for his role as Victor, with Deadline noting his compelling descent into madness.

Del Toro, who has long considered Frankenstein a passion project, explained at a press conference that he envisioned the creature as beautiful rather than stitched together, reflecting Victor’s artistic ambitions. Elordi, who joined the project late in production, described the role as deeply personal, calling it a vessel for his own experiences and emotions.

While the film delves into questions of humanity, del Toro clarified it is not intended as a commentary on artificial intelligence. Frankenstein also features Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz, and is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in October before debuting on Netflix on November 7, 2025.