The Reason the Actor Consumes So Much Milk in the Director's Monster Tale: An In-Depth Look
Among the various unsettling images in the acclaimed director's monster movie, Dr. Victor Frankenstein played by Oscar Isaac guzzling the white beverage is particularly notable. Instead of his gruesome experiments or his monster given life, the focus is on his odd habit of drinking multiple servings of milk throughout the movie.
The Symbolic Use of Milk in Cinema
Having a character drink milk is often a cinematic shorthand to suggest their evil or unstable. The trope appears in numerous movies, from the classic Kubrick film to Inglourious Basterds. For example, in the Coen brothers' thriller, Javier Bardem's killer sips it, and in Jordan Peele's horror film, a key character follows suit once the evil plans are unveiled. Even the Star Wars installment, Luke Skywalker gulping green milk signals a drastic shift in his character.
Image: Lucasfilm/Disney
One notable parallel for Frankenstein is Homelander from The Boys, where his fixation with the beverage highlights both his malevolence and immaturity. Similarly, the doctor's preference for milk underscores the director's view of him as emotionally stunted.
Perspectives from the Movie's Production Crew
In order to understand the significance behind this dairy theme, this production team behind the project offered their insights. As per cinematographer the visual expert, who worked with the director on multiple projects, the reason is straightforward.
"He's still a child, and he’s therefore innocent because he’s drinking the drink," the cinematographer states. "A normal guy would opt for alcohol or something else."
Image: Netflix
The costume designer, and she handled the outfits for this film and previous del Toro movies, expands on the metaphor.
"He's a grown child," Hawley says. "He's an angry kid that’s somewhat grown up. The milk is a charming, tasty, little ongoing individual ritual. It links him directly to his mother. I love that self-centered, youthful trait of Victor."
Hawley notes that viewers can see containers of dairy accumulating in the alley outside Victor's apartment early in the movie, when he meets Henrich Harlander. "This is a constant thing."
Image: Netflix
For set designer Tamara Deverell, and she contributed to another del Toro film and this one, the beverage relates to the character's parental figure.
"He was mother-obsessed," Deverell states. "He was always a child who never grew up, until he turned into a father of the Creature. So consuming milk is kind of a symbol of youth, of being linked to your childhood."
She further points out that the drink may represent more than just Victor's immaturity. A different reading is that it shows his obsessive drive to conquer mortality through his work.
"He doesn't drink," Deverell explains. "He's dedicated. He's a researcher; a physician."
Conclusion
Whatever the true meaning, a key point is undeniable: Following viewing this film, a glass of milk may not look the same any longer.
The film can be viewed now on Netflix.
