Frankenstein's Unrecognisable Star Stuns Netflix Audience
Subscribers to the streaming giant Netflix have been left utterly bewildered by a clever casting decision in Guillermo del Toro's highly anticipated new film, Frankenstein. The movie, which landed on the platform on Friday 8 November, features Oscar Isaac as the obsessed scientist Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his monstrous creation.
The Mia Goth Revelation
However, the true talking point has been the involvement of actress Mia Goth. While audiences knew she played a central role, many were completely unaware that the star of Pearl and MaXXXine actually performs in two distinct roles throughout the film. For the majority of the story, she portrays Lady Elizabeth Harlander, the fiancée of Victor's brother, William, played by Felix Kammerer.
Yet, in a series of flashbacks, Goth also embodies Baroness Claire, Victor Frankenstein's mother. This dual performance was so convincing that a flood of viewers took to social media to express their astonishment, having missed the connection entirely.
One stunned fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I didn't recognise her at all in the first role." Another admitted, "Are you joking? I've watched the movie three times, twice in cinema and one at home, but I still didn't know she played the mother." A third simply stated, "I literally just watched this and had no idea she was the mom omg."
Costume and Psychological Depth
Even those who were aware of the double casting beforehand confessed they struggled to identify Goth in both parts. The film differentiates her characters through costume, with Baroness Claire adorned in deep red and Elizabeth in green.
Oscar Isaac provided a fascinating psychological insight to The Independent, suggesting the casting carried Oedipal undertones. He explained that since Victor falls in love with Elizabeth, the fact that she resembles his mother in his mind is a key narrative element. "The fact the only woman he's ever seen is his mother... in his mind, it's her," Isaac stated.
The film also underwent a significant casting change during production. Andrew Garfield was originally set to play the Creature, but dropped out just nine weeks before filming began due to scheduling conflicts caused by the Hollywood writers' strike. Jacob Elordi stepped into the role, a move that director Del Toro and his makeup artist Mike Hill now believe was for the best.
Del Toro praised Elordi, telling Vanity Fair, "Andrew Garfield stepping out and Jacob coming in – I mean, it was like Jacob is the most perfect actor for the creature. We have a supernaturally good connection."
Based on Mary Shelley's iconic 1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein is available to stream on Netflix now.
