The Reason the Actor Drinks Copious Amounts of Dairy in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein: A Detailed Analysis
Among all the disturbing images in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, the main character played by the star drinking the white beverage is particularly notable. Instead of the macabre scientific work or the monster given life, the focus is on his peculiar habit of consuming multiple servings of dairy during the movie.
A Meaningful Role of Milk in Film
Having a figure drink the creamy liquid is often a visual cue to indicate they are villainous or unstable. This device shows up in many movies, including A Clockwork Orange to Tarantino's war movie. In the Coen brothers' thriller, the actor's killer drinks it, and in Get Out, a key character does the same after the evil intentions are unveiled. Even the Star Wars installment, Luke Skywalker gulping unusual dairy marks a major change in his character.
Image: Lucasfilm/Disney
One strong comparison for this film is the antagonist from The Boys, whose fixation with milk highlights both his malevolence and childishness. In the same way, the doctor's fondness for dairy underscores del Toro's interpretation of him as underdeveloped.
Insights from the Film's Creative Team
In order to uncover the significance behind this dairy theme, the production team behind the film offered their insights. As per director of photography Dan Laustsen, who collaborated with the director on several projects, the reason is simple.
"Victor is still a kid, and he’s still innocent because he’s drinking milk," the cinematographer states. "Any normal guy would opt for red wine or something else."
Image: Netflix
Kate Hawley, and she worked on costumes for this film and previous del Toro movies, elaborates on the symbolism.
"He's a manchild," she says. "He's an angry kid that’s somewhat matured. The milk is a wonderful, delicious, little ongoing individual ritual. It links him straight back his parent. I appreciate that selfish, youthful aspect of Victor."
Hawley adds that audiences can see bottles of milk accumulating in the street outside Victor's apartment early in the movie, as he meets Henrich Harlander. "This is a recurring element."
Image: Netflix
According to production designer Tamara Deverell, who contributed to Nightmare Alley and this one, the beverage relates to Victor's parental figure.
"Victor was mother-obsessed," Deverell says. "He was always a kid who never grew up, up to he became a creator of the Creature. So drinking milk is somewhat a representation of adolescence, of being linked to your early years."
Deverell further points out that the drink could signify beyond just his immaturity. Another reading is that it exemplifies his intense drive to conquer death through science.
"Victor avoids drink," Deverell says. "He is dedicated. He's a researcher; a physician."
Conclusion
Regardless of the true meaning, one thing is clear: After viewing this film, the simple drink will never appear the ordinary any longer.
The film can be viewed now on the platform.
