Additional Coverage:
- Jacob Elordi stuns critics with ‘revelatory performance’ as the monster in ‘Frankenstein’ (usatoday.com)
Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” Electrifies Venice, Elordi’s Performance Called “Revelatory”
Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated “Frankenstein” adaptation premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday, August 30, generating significant buzz. Starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his creation, the film has received generally positive early reviews, with critics singling out Elordi’s performance for particular praise.
While the film currently holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reviews coalesce around Elordi’s portrayal of the iconic monster. Critics are calling his performance everything from “revelatory” (The Hollywood Reporter) to “psychologically complex” (IndieWire) and even “otherworldly.”
The consensus? Elordi delivers a fresh and deeply moving take on the character, evoking comparisons to Boris Karloff’s legendary portrayal.
His performance, marked by “few words but grand and sometimes heartbreaking gestures” (Radio Times), seems poised to redefine the creature for a new generation.
Isaac’s performance as Victor Frankenstein has also garnered positive attention, with critics noting the captivating portrayal of his descent into madness.
For del Toro, “Frankenstein” is a passion project decades in the making. The Oscar-winning director has described the story as deeply personal, stating that the character has “fused” with his soul.
Elordi, speaking at the Venice Film Festival press conference, described the role as a “monumental task,” revealing that he poured every part of himself into the character. Del Toro also discussed his unique visual interpretation of the creature, opting for beauty rather than the traditional stitched-together aesthetic. He further clarified that while the film explores themes of humanity, it isn’t intended as a commentary on artificial intelligence, adding a touch of his characteristic wit by saying he fears “natural stupidity” more.
Co-starring Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz, “Frankenstein” is slated for a limited theatrical release in October before streaming on Netflix on November 7.