Transforming Jacob Elordi into a Living Frankenstein: Ten Hours of Daily Makeup Magic
Imagine spending ten hours every day in a chair, slowly having your own face erased and replaced by something entirely otherworldly. That’s exactly what Jacob Elordi endured to become the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein. Inside del Toro’s creative lab, makeup becomes more than cosmetic—it turns into a second skin, giving life to a monster that feels eerily real.
For ten hours each day, Elordi surrendered to an intensive process, guided by the legendary makeup artist Mike Hill, a longtime collaborator of del Toro known for his award-winning work on The Shape of Water. Instead of leaning on the clichéd, stitched-together look often seen in Hollywood, their design stayed true to Mary Shelley’s original vision: a creature with veins subtly visible beneath translucent skin, natural hair, and the haunting scars that tell the story of Victor Frankenstein’s experiments. The result is a creature that is both practically crafted and convincingly alive, prioritizing physical artistry over CGI.
The Monumental Transformation: Jacob Elordi’s 10-Hour Journey
To embody Frankenstein’s infamous creation, Elordi underwent a profound physical metamorphosis. Every layer of prosthetic and appliance work reshaped his features, sculpting a version of Shelley’s creature that is simultaneously terrifying and compelling. This painstaking effort is not just makeup—it’s storytelling in flesh and paint.
A Collaboration Like No Other
Mike Hill’s work on this project was nothing short of revolutionary. Known for pushing boundaries in special effects, Hill focused on a faithful yet innovative approach: moving beyond the Hollywood monster tropes to reveal a being forged from desperation and human fragility. The process was meticulous, with every detail—from the veins under the skin to the mottled textures and subtle scarring—handcrafted to feel authentic. Unlike many modern productions that lean heavily on digital effects, this approach relied on tangible materials, giving the Creature a weight and presence that CGI often struggles to achieve.
The Power of Practical Effects
In a film era dominated by digital wizardry, del Toro’s commitment to practical effects stands out. The design emphasizes realism over spectacle: visible sutures, natural hair growth, and textures true to the 18th-century scientific context anchor the Creature in the material world. Every aspect of the makeup communicates that this is a being of flesh and emotion, not just a fantastical monster.
Why Jacob Elordi Was the Ideal Choice
Elordi’s physical stature made him an excellent canvas, but it was his willingness to fully inhabit the role that truly brought the Creature to life. The prosthetics accentuated his natural features while amplifying the sense of unease—high cheekbones peeking through synthetic scars, deep-set yet expressive eyes, and movements that retained subtlety despite the layers of makeup. Hill notes that the experience was transformative for Elordi, allowing him to channel vulnerability and rage simultaneously. Inside the prosthetics, he became a figure stitched together both physically and emotionally, striving to be seen as more than a monster.
A New Chapter for Mary Shelley’s Legacy
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is not a simple retelling but a character-focused reinvention. Starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, alongside Mia Goth and Jacob Elordi, the film delves into themes of creation, responsibility, and the human cost of playing god. Hill’s meticulous design and del Toro’s visionary storytelling combine to create a Creature that will haunt audiences—not just for its terrifying exterior, but for the fragile, deeply human soul it conveys.
And here’s where it gets intriguing: does this approach make the Creature more relatable, or does the realism make it even more unsettling? The debate is bound to spark discussion—what do you think?
