Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, released in late 2025, stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and a supporting ensemble including Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Christian Convery .
Main Cast and Their Characters
Oscar Isaac – Victor Frankenstein
He plays the intense, driven scientist obsessed with creating life. Del Toro casts Isaac for his expressive eyes that convey obsession, genius, and pain .
Jacob Elordi – The Creature
Elordi embodies Frankenstein’s tormented creation, drawing on a raw, emotional performance that replaces what was once intended for Andrew Garfield—this switch changed the trajectory of the film . Del Toro chose him for his humanity-filled eyes that could reflect innocence and pain .
Mia Goth – Elizabeth Harlander & Claire Frankenstein
Goth plays two roles: Victor’s fiancée (Elizabeth) and his mother (Claire). Both characters represent emotional touchstones in Victor’s life and the Creature’s journey . Goth’s approach emphasized authenticity through costume and presence on set .
Supporting Cast Highlights
- Felix Kammerer as William Frankenstein: Victor’s younger brother and Elizabeth’s fiancé. Their sibling bond is vital to Victor’s emotional arc .
- Charles Dance as Leopold Frankenstein: The cold, controlling patriarch whose shadow shapes Victor and William .
- Christoph Waltz as Heinrich Harlander: A wartime armaments funder whose support fuels Victor’s experiments. Del Toro and Waltz developed the role collaboratively .
- Lars Mikkelsen as Captain Anderson: A ship’s captain who encounters Victor in the Arctic, framing the narrative .
- David Bradley as the Blind Man: A small but memorable role that adds depth to the Creature’s odyssey .
- Christian Convery as Young Victor: Portrays Victor’s formative years under a demanding father .
Behind the Casting
Why Jacob Elordi Replaced Andrew Garfield
Garfield declined due to scheduling conflicts. Del Toro saw something unique in Elordi—specifically, his performance in Saltburn and the expressive vulnerability in his eyes—and tapped him for the role .
Del Toro’s Casting Philosophy
Del Toro prioritizes eyes. He believes eyes reveal inner truth and emotion. That’s why he chose Isaac and Elordi—each brought a visual emotional resonance .
Reception and Awards Buzz
The film premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival to a 13-minute standing ovation, with Isaac and Elordi leading the emotional weight . After its theatrical debut and streaming on Netflix, it’s earning widespread acclaim and award recognition, including Elordi’s Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor .
Summary of Key Roles
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|——————–|—————————-|————————————————————|
| Oscar Isaac | Victor Frankenstein | Obsessed, tortured scientist with expressive emotional eyes |
| Jacob Elordi | The Creature | Poignant, soulful portrayal of the monster |
| Mia Goth | Elizabeth / Claire | Emotional anchors; dual role adds thematic depth |
| Felix Kammerer | William Frankenstein | Victor’s brother, emotionally vital |
| Charles Dance | Leopold Frankenstein | Authoritarian father figure |
| Christoph Waltz | Heinrich Harlander | Wealthy patron with complex motives |
| Lars Mikkelsen | Captain Anderson | Arctic witness framing the story |
| David Bradley | Blind Man | Small but impactful encounter with the Creature |
| Christian Convery | Young Victor | Early trauma secondary to Victor’s adult obsession |
Conclusion
Guillermo del Toro assembled a deeply nuanced and emotionally resonant cast for his long-cherished Frankenstein adaptation. Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi carry the film’s emotional core, supported by strong performances from Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance, and more. Each casting choice serves not only narrative clarity but thematic depth, illuminating themes of creation, trauma, and empathy. This ensemble brings freshness and humanity to Shelley’s centuries-old tale.
FAQs
Who plays Frankenstein in del Toro’s adaptation?
Oscar Isaac portrays Victor Frankenstein—the ambitious, tortured scientist driven by creation and guilt.
Who is the Creature and what makes his portrayal stand out?
Jacob Elordi plays the Creature, replacing Andrew Garfield. His expressive performance bears emotional depth and humanity, honored by many critics.
Does anyone play multiple characters?
Yes, Mia Goth portrays both Elizabeth Harlander (Victor’s fiancée) and Claire Frankenstein (his mother), adding layered meaning to her role.
Why did del Toro focus on actors’ eyes?
He believes eyes reveal unseen emotion and truth—Isaac and Elordi’s eyes convey the inner life of their characters in a way del Toro found essential.
Has the film received award recognition?
Yes. It premiered to acclaim at Venice, has multiple award nominations, and Elordi earned an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.
When did the film release?
It premiered at Venice in August 2025, hit cinemas in October, and began streaming globally on Netflix on November 7, 2025.
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