Netflix’s ‘Frankenstein’ Had a “Beautiful” Scene Cut That Lasted 7 Minutes

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Guillermo del Toro’s visually stunning take on Frankenstein needed to impress his peers before being finalized for Netflix. The film, a dream project for the acclaimed Mexican director known for his work on Hellboy, stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and features Jacob Elordi as the Creature. The supporting cast includes renowned actors Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, David Bradley, and Charles Dance.

Guillermo del Toro doesn’t release his films until he’s gotten feedback from a select group of trusted colleagues. He explained to Variety at the Palm Springs International Film Festival that he prefers to show his work to about 14 to 16 of his most talented friends – people he considers lucky to call friends – rather than doing traditional test screenings.

Directors like Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro Iñárritu, James Cameron, Rian Johnson, and Steven Spielberg often get feedback after their films are released. We all agree to be honest and critical with each other about what people think.

Jim suggested removing a seven-minute scene, saying it was beautiful but didn’t work for the film. I always take notes like that seriously and don’t debate them.

Thanks to James Cameron’s approach to filmmaking, the movie Frankenstein was shortened by seven minutes—a significant amount for a film that’s already two and a half hours long. It’s too bad Guillermo del Toro didn’t explain what was in the deleted scene, though.

The Moment Jacob Elordi Nabbed the Role of the Creature


Netflix

When the film started streaming on Netflix last November, del Toro told Entertainment Weekly how Elordi was cast after Andrew Garfield had to drop out of the role.

I immediately texted Oscar after my first Zoom call with Jacob, letting him know we’d found the right person. It’s not about how broad an actor’s skills are, but about the core connection between them and the character. When that fit is perfect, you don’t need to overthink it – you simply refine the role to suit the actor, and they’ll naturally excel. They’re set up for success.

The actor who played the Creature described how he developed the character’s unique voice for the film. He explained that director Guillermo del Toro would often give him feedback after reviewing the previous day’s footage, specifically requesting a more gravelly tone. Because filming largely followed the story’s timeline, the actor could refine the voice as he performed. He also collaborated with sound designer Isaac early on, practicing throat chants and experimenting until they achieved the desired effect, allowing the voice to evolve organically with the Creature’s development.

The sound started as a Tibetan throat chant, but it transformed based on the character’s physical state and how he was experiencing the scene. It wasn’t just about making a harsh noise; it needed to be nuanced and meaningful. The voice was built from the character’s pain, memories, and entire life experience – aiming for a sound that truly reflected all of that.

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2026-01-07 00:36