Guillermo del Toro has always been celebrated for his creative brilliance, but this time, it’s his personal journey that has captured the spotlight. At the premiere of his latest work, "Frankenstein," at the Venice International Film Festival, the Mexican filmmaker revealed a stunning transformation as he had lost over 100 pounds.
And as always with del Toro, he didn’t shy away from humor. “As you get older, you get more scared, and you realize you’ve got to cut back on the tacos,” he joked, flashing his signature wit. But beneath the humor was a sense of pride and joy. “I’m happy,” he said, reflecting on his journey toward health and balance.
A Night to Remember in Venice
The premiere of "Frankenstein" was already set to be one of the festival’s most anticipated events. Starring Jacob Elordi in the lead role, the film delivered an emotional punch that audiences felt deeply. At the end of the screening, the theater dived into a thunderous 13-minute standing ovation, leaving del Toro visibly moved.
But the buzz wasn’t only about the film. Del Toro’s striking new appearance turned heads, and his openness about his transformation made the moment even more meaningful. His evolution became a conversation point far beyond cinema.
The Human Side of 'Frankenstein'
At the press conference, del Toro revealed just how personal this adaptation is for him. “We live in an age of terror and intimidation, without a doubt. The central question of the novel, from the very beginning, is: what does it mean to be human? What makes us human?” he reflected. He explained that his film is not about perfect heroes or villains but about embracing imperfection and understanding one another.
Del Toro admitted that completing "Frankenstein" left him with a bittersweet feeling. “I’m now in the postpartum depression phase; something feels empty, it’s gone, it’s out there,” he confessed. For him, "Frankenstein" is not just a single project but a culmination of themes woven through all his films, from "Cronos" to "The Shape of Water."
His Relationship with Food and Change
Del Toro’s weight loss sparked curiosity about how he achieved it. While he didn’t go into full detail, his quip about “cutting back on tacos” hinted at the lifestyle adjustments behind the transformation.
Interestingly, this wasn’t his first experiment with diet. He once followed a vegetarian lifestyle for four years. In an interview with Jorge Ramos, he recalled the moment he abandoned it. “One day my partner and I were driving, and we saw some rotisserie chickens. Something exploded in my head, and I ate three chickens, bones and all. That was the moment I had to be honest with myself,” he laughed.
What makes Guillermo del Toro’s transformation so remarkable is not just the number on the scale. It’s the joy he exudes, the humor he maintains, and the resilience he demonstrates. And just like his films, this transformation is layered with meaning.