Jacob Elordi wears prosthetics for 10 hours a day to play the creature in del Toro’s Frankenstein

Australian actor Jacob Elordi underwent an exhaustive makeup process to play the creature in Frankenstein, a film directed by Guillermo del Toro and released in theaters in October 2025, premiering on Netflix on November 7 of the same year. The transformation, which lasted around 10 hours per day of filming, involved the application of 42 prosthetics throughout the body, including 14 on the head and neck alone. This dedication allowed us to capture the essence of the classic figure of Mary Shelley, in a production filmed on location in Canada and the United Kingdom.

The production brought together a stellar cast, with Oscar Isaac in the role of scientist Victor Frankenstein and Mia Goth as Elizabeth, Victor’s fiancée. Del Toro, an Oscar winner for 2023’s Pinocchio, revised the project after delays caused by scheduling conflicts, replacing Andrew Garfield with Elordi nine weeks before filming began.

Siga o Mix Vale no Google e veja nossas notícias primeiro

• 42 complete prosthetics applied to Elordi to compose the creature.
• 14 specific pieces for the head and neck, simulating scars and stitches.
• 10 hours of application on average daily, with sessions that could start at midnight.
• Removal took up to 9 hours, aided by an inflatable sauna in the actor’s trailer.

Prosthetics application process

The makeup team, led by specialist Mike Hill, applied the prosthetics 50 times during filming, totaling more than 500 hours of work. Each piece was molded by hand to reflect the anatomy of a recomposed being, inspired andm Gothic illustrations and biblical references such as the figure of Adam.

Elordi even lost weight for the role, which intensified the creature’s physicality, described by del Toro as a meditation on humanity and imperfection.

Physical transformation details

The design eschewed traditional corpse tones, opting for a palette that exposed inner layers of the human body, with crucifixion-shaped scars to symbolize the creature’s painful birth.

False teeth and brown contact lenses completed the look, making Elordi unrecognizable in the opening scenes.

The production used 119 built sets, including real wood laboratories and a ship that required 3,178 days of labor.

These handmade elements reinforced the visceral tone of the film, shot in 35mm for greater texture.

Jacob Elordi transforms into The Creature.

FRANKENSTEIN is now playing. pic.twitter.com/hFxwHXs5SB

— Netflix (@netflix) November 11, 2025

Behind the scenes production with del Toro

Guillermo del Toro has collaborated with Hill on previous projects like The Shape of Water, ensuring a cohesive vision. The director emphasized real sets, rejecting digital effects for presentrvar authenticity.

Elordi described the process as a metamorphosis, where the character “came to life” in the makeup chair.

The shoot included three days on ice fields in northern Ontario, with Elordi carrying actors up marble staircases under the weight of prosthetics and heavy costumes.

Initial reactions to the creature’s appearance

Critics praised Elordi’s performance, highlighting his grace and anguish in a 1.96m tall creature. The film received an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for the cinematography and Alexandre Desplat’s score.

Fans shared behind-the-scenes videos, impressed by the actor’s dedication.

A common comment pointed out the difficulty in recognizing Elordi under the layers of silicone.

Creature design influences

The look borrowed from Bernie Wrightson, illustrator of Frankenstein in 1983, and 19th century portraits, creating a sensitive and mythical monster. Del Toro saw the creature as a “new Adam”, fragile despite his strength.

Hill adapted the molds originally made for Garfield to Elordi’s body, adjusting for his imposing stature.

The makeup was applied 20 times in complete full-body sessions, with no complaints from the actor.

Release and reception on Netflix

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival inAugust 30, 2025 and arrived on Netflix globally in November after IMAX screenings. The narrative explores themes of creation and ruin, with Victor driven by a wealthy patron played by Christoph Waltz.

Elordi, known for Euphoria, called the role “profound”, comparing it to a gothic opera.

The production marked del Toro’s return to literary adaptations, after Pinocchio.