Del Toro Teases “Epic” Frankenstein, Praises Creature’s Beauty at TIFF

Lead: Director Guillermo del Toro unveiled details of his highly anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, highlighting Jacob Elordi’s “staggeringly beautiful” Creature and Oscar Isaac’s role as Dr. Frankenstein.

Nut Graf: The three-time Academy Award-winner offered fresh insight into his vision for the gothic tale, emphasizing the Creature’s aesthetic and emotional core while confirming early buzz from Venice and Telluride that the film may become a defining milestone in his career.

Del Toro Frames His Vision

At a midday press conference on Saturday, del Toro described his Creature as “an alabaster newborn with scars almost aerodynamic,” underscoring the handcrafted prosthetics and pale translucent palette crafted by designer Mike Hill. He stressed that Elordi’s performance fuses vulnerability and otherworldly grace, elevating the monster beyond mere horror.

Key Festival Highlights

  • Creature’s Debut: A surprise preview clip drew gasps, showcasing the Creature’s first awakening scene without traditional lightning tropes.
  • Oscar Isaac’s Turn: Del Toro confirmed Isaac’s portrayal of Dr. Victor Frankenstein blends artistic obsession with scientific fervor, framing the doctor as both “surgeon and sculptor.”
  • Standing Ovations Continue: Following a 13-minute ovation at Venice and packed screenings at Telluride, early TIFF audiences responded with sustained applause.

Production Insights

  • Prosthetics Craft: Over 200 hours of silicone and clay modeling shaped each prosthetic piece, allowing for realistic muscle movement.
  • Artistic Inspiration: Del Toro cites 16th-century alabaster statues and anatomical wax models as visual references for the Creature’s anatomy.
  • Filming Locations: Principal photography wrapped this summer across Spain and Canada, leveraging Gothic architecture to evoke 19th-century Europe.

What’s Next

Frankenstein will receive a limited theatrical release on October 17 before streaming on Netflix November 7. Del Toro predicts the film’s emotional depth and visual splendor will position it as a major awards contender this season.