Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Monster Revealed — Jacob Elordi’s Stitched Face and Exposed Muscles Are Freakier Than Expected
Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has finally given us a clear look at the creature, and the images shared by Netflix highlight a darker, more body-horror–oriented design than earlier photos suggested.
Monster reveal
Netflix posted images on Twitter that show the creature’s face and part of its body. The photos depict a cloaked figure, but they also reveal that the creature’s face appears to be composed of at least two different faces that have been stitched together. Additionally, one image shows a hand with exposed muscles and tendons.
Frankenstein trailer tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/MNwntn5vVo
— Netflix (@netflix) September 30, 2025
In short, the new photos emphasize the assembled, anatomical nature of the character rather than a single, uniform visage.
Cast
The film is directed by Guillermo del Toro. The main cast confirmed in promotional material includes:
- Jacob Elordi as the creature;
- Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein;
- Mia Goth as Elizabeth;
- Christoph Waltz as Harlander.
Design details
The released images show a creature with long, greasy hair and visible surgical assembly marks on the face. Moreover, the exposed musculature on the hand suggests del Toro is emphasizing physical, anatomical horror.
Frankenstein has a long history on screen, ranging from James Whale’s 1931 film to many modern takes. Likewise, the monster has appeared across varied media — for example, in family-friendly properties like Scooby-Doo and The Addams Family — which shows how the character’s image has changed over time.
Release and format
Netflix says the film will debut on its service on Nov. 7. In addition, the studio announced the movie will play in theaters three weeks before that Netflix date; that timing places the theatrical opening on Oct. 17.
Tone and director quote
Del Toro has described the film as more emotional than strictly scary, and he gave this statement about the project:
“It’s an emotional story for me. It’s as personal as anything. I’m asking a question about being a father, being a son… I’m not doing a horror movie — ever. I’m not trying to do that.”
Therefore, while the visuals lean into body-horror elements, del Toro frames the film primarily as a personal, emotional story rather than a conventional horror movie.
