- Guillermo del Toro and Oscar Isaac reveal their Latin American heritage was central to their interpretation of Frankenstein.
- Isaac’s portrayal of Victor Frankenstein was influenced by Mexican cinema icon Pedro Infante and his own experiences as an “outsider.”
- Del Toro intentionally infused the film with the “operatic” pageantry of Catholicism and the dramatic flair of telenovelas.
- The collaboration aims to reclaim the classic story, presenting a Victor with “swagger and sensuality” unlike any previous version.
A Shared Cultural Foundation
In a revealing conversation with GQ, director Guillermo del Toro and actor Oscar Isaac have pulled back the curtain on their highly anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein, explaining how their shared Latin American culture became the project’s lifeblood. The duo confirmed that their unique take on Mary Shelley’s classic is deeply informed by their heritage, transforming the well-known tale into something deeply personal and culturally specific.
From their very first meeting, del Toro knew he and Isaac were aligned. “I think that one of the things we connected over that dinner was our Latinness,” del Toro stated. “Because obviously the shadow of the father looms differently in the Latin family.” Isaac immediately agreed, adding, “The patriarchal thing, it’s so strong.”
The Influence of Mexican Cinema
To shape this vision, del Toro showed Isaac the 1949 Mexican film La Oveja Negra (The Black Sheep), starring Pedro Infante, an icon of machismo masculinity from a golden cinematic era. Isaac absorbed this influence, using Infante’s powerful on-screen presence to inform Victor Frankenstein’s masculine energy. He recalled a specific note for a scene with his creature, played by Jacob Elordi: “I just kind of walked by him and pushed him away. That was a little nod.”
Reclaiming the Narrative from an Outsider’s Perspective
This cultural reclamation extends beyond on-screen mannerisms. Isaac spoke candidly about his personal experiences feeling like an outsider after moving to the U.S. from Guatemala. This constant feeling of being an “other” fueled a drive for perfection that he channeled directly into his character. “That kind of fed into this kind of myopic view of, like, excellence,” Isaac explained. “The only way I can succeed is by being excellent and better than everyone else… And no matter what it costs.”
For del Toro, this personal history made Isaac the only choice for a reimagined Victor. “The Victor that I really believe would be a fresh Victor is a Victor that had swagger and sensuality and flair,” the director said, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming the role for a Latino actor. “It’s not an accident that our Victor is played by, you know, Oscar Isaac Hernandez.”
Telenovela Flair and Catholic Pageantry
The film’s distinct aesthetic is also rooted in Latin culture. Del Toro embraced the “swarthy Catholicism of the film” and the “pageantry of Catholicism, which verges on the operatic.” This dramatic intensity was sometimes translated directly on set, with del Toro giving Isaac notes straight from the world of telenovelas. Isaac recalled being directed to perform a classic move—walking past a character, pausing, and executing a dramatic turn. “It’s like a telenovela,” del Toro laughed.
This unapologetic infusion of their identity is what the creators believe makes their film unique. As del Toro proudly stated, “When people say, ‘What’s Mexican about your movies?’ I say, ‘Me.’ You cannot deny what you are.”
Watch the full conversation below:
Image Referance: https://gizmodo.com/guillermo-del-toro-and-oscar-isaac-want-frankenstein-to-speak-to-latin-american-culture-2000680330