Jacob Elordi Moved to Tears as “Frankenstein” Receives Prolonged Ovation at Venice Film Festival

August 31, 2025 (Venice) - Jacob Elordi was visibly overcome with emotion tonight when his portrayal of the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s new film Frankenstein earned a thunderous standing ovation lasting over 13 minutes at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Dressed in a classic black tuxedo, Elordi clasped his hand to his chest and wiped away tears as the audience’s applause continued unabated following the world premiere. Cameras captured a joyous moment in which co-star Oscar Isaac kissed Elordi on the cheek, and director Guillermo del Toro embraced both actors in celebration of the film’s warm reception.

During a press conference earlier today, Elordi described the role as “the purest form of myself,” revealing that he “channeled [his] entire existence into” the character of the Creature. He explained that the elaborate makeup process-up to ten hours a day in the chair-helped him inhabit the monster’s evolving emotional landscape, from newborn vulnerability to profound existential pain.

Critics have lauded Elordi’s performance as a highlight of the festival. The Hollywood Reporter praised him for delivering “a revelatory performance,” noting that his “dark, soulful eyes express a profound sadness” unseen since Boris Karloff’s original portrayal. Vulture acclaimed his Creature as “fresh, essential, and new,” while IndieWire called it “the most psychologically intricate portrayal of the creature” to date.

Frankenstein is set for a limited theatrical release on October 17, followed by its global debut on Netflix on November 7.