Guillermo del Toro’s latest film, Frankenstein, now available on Netflix, redefines Jacob Elordi’s role as fundamentally different from the conventional monster archetype. Instead, he is designated as a “Creature” in the credits. I would argue further: Elordi’s Creature in Del Toro’s Frankenstein is more akin to a playful golden retriever than any monstrous being.

Del Toro, who both wrote and directed the film, draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s timeless 1818 novel. The 2025 adaptation stars Oscar Isaac as the ambitious and unconventional Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist driven by the desire to conquer death and breathe life into the inanimate. With financial support from a wealthy patron, played by Christoph Waltz, Dr. Frankenstein succeeds in his endeavor by assembling a new Creature from the remains of recently deceased men. However, much like the absentee father he resents, Frankenstein grows disillusioned with his creation and attempts to eradicate it. Yet, the resilient Creature proves indestructible.

Viewers encounter Elordi’s Creature almost an hour into the narrative, and when they do, it’s love at first sight. As I suggested earlier, this Creature resembles a golden retriever far more than a fearsome monster. Allow me to illustrate this point.

• Jacob Elordi’s Creature tries to follow Frankenstein everywhere.

  In a manner akin to a harsh dog owner, Dr. Frankenstein restrains the Creature with chains. When Frankenstein moves to exit the room, the Creature follows him with the eagerness of a loyal puppy. It’s a poignant moment.

• Jacob Elordi’s Creature chases leaves…

  In another scene, reminiscent of a dog joyfully pursuing a butterfly, the Creature chases after a leaf that drifts along the water in his enclosure.

• …and then brings them to people as presents.

  When the Creature proudly presents the fair Elizabeth (Mia Goth) with the leaf he “caught,” she coos, “A leaf? For me?” Is this not exactly how you’d respond when a golden retriever brings you its precious toy?

• Jacob Elordi’s Creature loves to get pets.

  When the Creature finally works up the courage to meet the kind, blind old man (played by David Bradley), he takes the old man’s hand and puts it atop his head. The Creature then proceeds to show the old man how to give him pets. If golden retrievers had opposable thumbs, they would 100 percent do this.

• Jacob Elordi literally said his performance was inspired by his golden retriever.

  Had to save the most compelling evidence for last! There is a reason Elordi’s creature so closely resembles the behavior of a golden retriever: Elordi literally drew inspiration from his performance from his beloved dog, a golden retriever named Layla.

  “Like a child, she doesn’t speak, obviously, so everything that she does physically is to sort of get what she needs or to show how she feels,” Elordi said of his dog in an interview with RadioTimes.com. “She’s very Creature-like in the way that she operates in the world. I suppose she’s also incredibly sensitive. So there was a lot of that in her. I see the whole world in my dog’s eyes.”

  Indeed, there is even a cute photo floating around of Elordi, in full Creature make-up, hugging Layla, who would often join the actor on set.

  In a different interview for the Frankenstein production notes, Elordi said of his dog: “There’s a real innocence in the way she moves and the way that she loves.”

  Some actors turn to Brando and De Niro. Elordi turned to his dog. No wonder his Creature is so darn adorable.