- - See the Original “Frankenstein” Cast Side-by-Side with the Actors Starring in the 2025 Adaptation

Emily BlackwoodNovember 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM

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HA/THA/Shutterstock ; Netflix

Boris Karloff in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Jacob Elordi in 'Frankenstein' (2025). -

Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 Frankenstein premiered on Netflix on Nov. 7

The film stars Oscar Isaac as the mad scientist, with Jacob Elordi as the fearsome creature

Frankenstein's cast also includes Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, Ralph Ineson, Charles Dance and Christoph Waltz

Frankenstein has risen once again.

The classic 1931 film — adapted from Mary Shelley's 1818 book of the same name — introduced audiences to one of cinema’s most enduring monsters: aptly named, the Monster, though often mistaken for his creator, Dr. Frankenstein. Thanks to the years-long efforts of director Guillermo del Toro, he has been resurrected for a new generation.

On Nov. 7, Frankenstein premiered on Netflix, starring Oscar Isaac as the "brilliant but egotistical scientist" who "brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment." Jacob Elordi is the iconic monster, renamed as the Creature.

Unlike the film's 1931 predecessor, del Toro promised that his Frankenstein sticks more closely to the original text.

"This is not your run-of-the-mill Frankenstein with the mad scientist and the creature grunting his way around, being chased by villagers with torches," he told WIRED in October 2025. "This is very true to the spirit of the novel."

Here's the cast of the original Frankenstein side-by-side with the actors who adapted their roles in the 2025 film.

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Dr. Frankenstein: Colin Clive and Oscar Isaac

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Colin Clive in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Oscar Isaac in 'Frankenstein' (2025).

The 1931 Frankenstein took several creative liberties with Shelley's novel — including changing the protagonist's name.

Colin Clive played Henry Frankenstein in the 1931 film, while Isaac restores the character’s true name, Victor, in the 2025 adaptation. But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.

“I saw him much more as an artist than as a scientist,” Isaac told Variety in August 2025. “I watched a video of Prince going to the [2007] Super Bowl in order to rehearse. And I just basically stole his walk when he’s going up to the stage with his hands behind the back.”

Other than playing the infamous mad scientist, Isaac is best known for his roles in Dune, Ex Machina and Moon Knight.

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The Creature: Boris Karloff and Jacob Elordi

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Boris Karloff in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Jacob Elordi in 'Frankenstein' (2025).

Almost 100 years ago, Boris Karloff starred as the towering, neck-bolted Monster that would go down in horror history.

Elordi's modern take on the monster Frankenstein creates using a smorgasbord of human remains has been renamed the Creature. The actor told Variety that he underwent layers of prosthetics and 10 hours in the makeup chair to bring his character's translucent skin to life.

“There’s so many different layers to the costume,” Elordi said. “When he’s born, he’s wearing nearly nothing. His chest is open and his head is high. Then, as he starts to experience pain, as we do as a teenager, he starts to hunch his shoulders. And as an adult, he closes off.”

Though his transformation may make it difficult, fans of the actor may recognize Elordi from his other major roles in Euphoria, Saltburn and Priscilla.

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Elizabeth: Mae Clarke and Mia Goth

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Mae Clarke in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Mia Goth in 'Frankenstein' (2025).

In 1931, Mae Clarke played Frankenstein's fiancée, Elizabeth, who is attacked by the Monster on their wedding night. The character was reimagined in the 2025 adaptation as the bride-to-be of Frankenstein's younger brother (for whom the scientist secretly harbors feelings).

Actress Mia Goth — best known for Pearl, X and Infinity Pool — plays both Elizabeth and Frankenstein's late mother in the film, who died in childbirth.

The actress told Elle ahead of the movie's release that del Toro wrote the role with her in mind.

"Whatever it is I choose to do with the character, I can't go wrong with it," she said when asked what del Toro's advice to her was for the part.

She added, "He told me that after we had met, the character of Elizabeth came to life, and he was able to finally put her down into the script but up until that point she was just this rough sketch and so whatever it is that I decide to do with the character, it'll be the right choice and to follow it."

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The Professor: Edward Van Sloan and Ralph Ineson

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Edward Van Sloan in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Ralph Ineson attends the "Nosferatu" UK Premiere on December 04, 2024 in London, England.

Though Edward Van Sloan's Dr. Waldman, a professor at Ingolstadt University who mentors Frankenstein, doesn't appear in the 2025 film, Ralph Ineson steps into a similar role.

He plays Professor Krempe, a teacher at Frankenstein's school who disapproves of his research. The character also appears in Shelley's novel.

Outside of Frankenstein, Ineson has appeared in films like The Witch, The Green Knight and Nosferatu.

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Baron Frankenstein: Frederick Kerr and Charles Dance

Courtesy of Everett Collection ; Ken Woroner/Netflix

Frederick Kerr in 'Frankenstein' (1931) ; Charles Dance in 'Frankenstein' (2025).

Another character who's been reimagined for the 2025 adaptation is Frankenstein's father.

Though Frederick Kerr originated the role of Baron Frankenstein in the 1931 film, Charles Dance plays the patriarch in the modern version. Renamed Baron Leopold Frankenstein, he's described as a cold and controlling figure who believes science is more important than human life.

Fans of Game of Thrones will recognize the actor as none other than Tywin Lannister.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”