[Video] Check Out Jacob Elordi’s Transformation into Frankenstein’s Monster That Took 10 Hours a Day

by

Jacob Elordi underwent a demanding and remarkable transformation to play Frankenstein’s monster in Guillermo del Toro’s latest movie.

The Australian actor powerfully portrays the tragic creature, becoming a dominant presence in the film’s cold setting. However, he wasn’t the first choice for the part. Andrew Garfield was originally cast, but had to withdraw nine weeks before filming began due to other commitments. Elordi then took over and delivered a truly compelling performance, making the role his own.

Mike Hill, who led the prosthetic makeup effects, complimented Jacob Elordi’s performance. He told ELLE that while Elordi’s 6’5″ height was helpful for the role – and he was a great ‘canvas’ to work with – it was Elordi’s inner depth and acting ability that truly brought the character to life.

Jacob Elordi spent ten hours each day getting makeup applied, including a full-body prosthetic covering made up of 42 pieces—14 alone for his head and neck. Director Zach Hill emphasized that Elordi’s incredible patience was essential to making the transformation work. Removing the prosthetics took around 90 minutes and often involved a special inflatable sauna in his trailer to help with the process.

To become Frankenstein’s monster, Jacob Elordi dedicated up to 10 hours daily to makeup. The transformation involved 42 prosthetic pieces applied all over his body, including a remarkable 14 just for his head and neck. The process was so lengthy, he often started at midnight and worked through the night. Remarkably, he never once complained to the makeup artists.

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 10, 2025

The creature’s appearance drew inspiration from human anatomy and Mary Shelley’s original story, avoiding the typical Hollywood look of bolts and green skin. Director Guillermo del Toro and costume designer Kate Hawley collaborated closely to create a figure that felt both artificial and organic. As Hill explained, “You immediately understood he was built by humans—carefully crafted and designed.”

Hawley described how the costumes were designed to match the film’s overall look and feel. She explained that she starts by understanding the world the director, Mike, was creating, and then builds the costumes to reflect that world from the inside out.

The creature’s clothing was disturbingly made from remnants of war, even including a coat fashioned from the skeleton of a soldier killed in the Crimean War. According to Hawley, the coat felt like wearing another person’s skin, or a flayed layer added onto its own.

Every situation has more than one perspective. The new film Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro and featuring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, will be shown in some cinemas starting October 17th, and will be available on Netflix from November 7th.

— Netflix (@netflix) October 1, 2025

The team looked to artists like Caravaggio for inspiration, aiming for a dark and romantic aesthetic for the creature. They carefully designed the wig and hair to look like it came from multiple sources, using natural, realistic colors instead of harsh black or overly bright white. As Hill explained, the goal was to create a look that felt grounded and organic. “We wanted him to appear like a fragile, newly-made doll, but one that was gradually becoming more human – as earthy and lifelike as possible.”

As a movie fan, I’m always impressed by actors who really commit to a role, and Jacob Elordi’s dedication to this one was incredible. The director told me he never complained, not once, even during 20-hour days! He’d sometimes show up at midnight for long shoots and just kept going. It was a really tough schedule, but he stayed focused and really embraced the character. It’s funny, even in full makeup, he’d take a moment to hug his dog, Layla – those little moments show how grounded he stayed despite everything.

Guillermo del Toro, Thomas Hill, Noah Hawley, and Jacob Elordi worked closely together on every aspect of the creature’s design – including its makeup, outfits, and overall shape.

Hawley compared watching Elordi move in the creature’s costume to “seeing a child learning to walk.” The costume itself – every stitch, wrap, and piece of clothing – was carefully designed to reveal the creature’s story, showing both his human side and how Victor Frankenstein treated him.

Jacob Elordi’s acting and physical transformation are key to the film’s power, both visually and emotionally. Director Noah Hawley described moments of genuine brilliance, noting that being on set felt special. He explained that you could see the incredible teamwork between himself and the actors, and it was a rare and exciting experience to witness the results of everyone’s collaborative efforts.

The final product is a powerfully moving creation – something that feels genuinely human and heartbreaking. It was achieved through hard work, careful planning, and a strong partnership between the actor, director, and everyone involved.

Read More

2025-11-11 11:16