Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi are generating serious buzz ahead of Frankenstein, and their latest Variety cover proves why. The co-stars radiate magnetic chemistry, striking poses that highlight both sex appeal and star power. Isaac exudes brooding charm, while Elordi smolders as the creature, blending intensity with a hint of mischief. Fans are already swooning over the undeniable connection that jumps off the page.
Chemistry That Commands Attention
Hanging out in Manhattan recently, Isaac and Elordi shared their excitement over finally talking about the film. Isaac, 46, and Elordi, 28, have a rapport that feels effortless, oscillating between playful banter and genuine admiration. “You’re one of my favorite actors in the world,” Elordi told Isaac, recalling the awe he felt as a teenager discovering Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis. Isaac blushed, clearly enjoying the chemistry that translates seamlessly from their conversations to the cover shoot.
Each image emphasizes not only their physical presence but also the electric connection built over months of collaboration. Variety’s photos capture a mix of intimacy and charisma, the kind of energy that hints at more than just on-screen partnership.
Jacob’s Eyes Won Guillermo del Toro
For director Guillermo del Toro, casting Elordi as Frankenstein’s creature came down to one defining feature: his eyes. “Jacob’s eyes are so full of humanity,” del Toro said. “I cast him because of his eyes.” Those eyes convey innocence and raw emotion, the perfect reflection of the creature’s journey from naive wonder to vengeful power.
Elordi described the audition process as nerve-wracking. When Andrew Garfield dropped out last-minute, del Toro had just nine weeks to find a replacement. A Zoom meeting sealed the deal, and Elordi remembers the agonizing wait to hear back: “It was the most excruciating nine days of my life.”
A Transformation Like No Other
Playing Frankenstein’s creature demanded total dedication. Makeup sessions often began late at night, transforming him into a patchwork of limbs and organs. Elordi trained in butoh, a Japanese dance form, to perfect the creature’s slow, unsettling movements. He also studied Mongolian throat singing to create a voice that was simultaneously guttural and haunting. “It feels like it got hit in the head with a bat,” he explained, describing the character’s early grunts.
Anticipation Builds for Frankenstein
Netflix plans a three-week theatrical release starting October 17, followed by streaming on November 7. The film promises Guillermo del Toro’s signature visual spectacle alongside two performances that demand the big-screen experience.
Elordi hopes audiences embrace the cinematic release. “It’s heartbreaking that films like these don’t have full releases,” he said. “My great hope is that we get this film in cinemas for as long as possible.”
Between Isaac’s seasoned magnetism and Elordi’s captivating intensity, Variety’s cover captures two stars whose chemistry is impossible to ignore—and whose performances promise to dominate the conversation this awards season.
