Jacob Elordi’s remarkable transformation into the Creature for Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of ‘Frankenstein’ has been rewarded with an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2026 Academy Awards held on 15 March. This accolade not only recognises the artistry involved but also highlights the dedication of the actor, who spent extensive hours in prosthetics.
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Elordi, known for his role in ‘Euphoria’, underwent an extraordinary metamorphosis to portray the iconic monster. His commitment to the character involved enduring up to 10 hours a day with prosthetics applied. Makeup artists Mike Hill and Jordan Samuel shared insights backstage about the arduous process that Elordi faced, revealing that he often stood for four to five hours straight during the application.
During the Oscars ceremony, Hill expressed gratitude towards Elordi for his dedication and patience throughout the filming, which encompassed around 400 hours spent in makeup. Hill remarked that the transformative work was akin to creating a “living statue”, requiring not only skill but a significant investment of time.
Initially, Hill feared that Elordi might harbour negative feelings after long hours under the makeup process. However, he indicated that their relationship grew positively. “I said to him, ‘You’re going to hate me at 2:00 a.m., and I’m going to hate you for hating me,’ but we never felt that way,” Hill commented, calling Elordi “the nicest man on the planet”.
Jordan Samuel, who was also part of the team behind Elordi’s look, elaborated on the working conditions. He noted that Elordi would arrive on set several hours earlier than other cast members, sometimes arriving as early as midnight to prepare for the day’s shooting. “They would start on him and then at six or seven in the morning we would begin with the rest of the cast,” he explained, highlighting the dedication involved in the project.
Discussing the design of the Creature, Hill indicated that the aim was to create something unique rather than follow previous interpretations of the monster. “Victor Frankenstein wasn’t creating a basic vehicle; he was crafting a high-performance machine,” he elaborated. Hill focused on making the Creature aesthetically distinct from past portrayals, incorporating geometric shapes to reflect the Creature’s construction.
Elordi’s intense preparation process caused him to adjust his perception of time. In a previous interview, he shared the immersive experience of shooting for ‘Frankenstein’, stating that he let go of conventional timekeeping and meal schedules. The actor said, “I stopped having a clock… It meant waiting for the SUV to arrive; that was my timeframe.”
Del Toro, the film’s director, also praised Elordi’s commitment, noting that he never complained during the demanding shoot, which often exceeded 20-hour days. This unwavering dedication has evidently paid off, not only with accolades but also in the camaraderie built between the actor and the makeup team.
With its Oscar win, ‘Frankenstein’ not only showcases the talents involved in its creation but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedication and artistry in filmmaking. Jacob Elordi’s outstanding portrayal, bolstered by the skilled makeup team, has added a new chapter to the legacy of this classic story, inviting audiences to experience the Creature in a fresh light.