Among the various disturbing images in the acclaimed director's monster movie, Dr. Victor Frankenstein played by Oscar Isaac drinking milk stands out. Rather than his gruesome experiments or his creation given life, it's his odd habit of drinking multiple servings of dairy throughout the movie.
A Meaningful Role of Milk in Cinema
Having a character drink milk is often a cinematic shorthand to suggest their villainous or unstable. This trope shows up in numerous movies, from the classic Kubrick film to Tarantino's war movie. For example, in the Coen brothers' thriller, the actor's antagonist drinks milk, while in Get Out, Allison Williams does the same after the evil intentions are unveiled. Additionally, in the Star Wars installment, Luke Skywalker gulping unusual dairy marks a major change in his persona.
Image: Lucasfilm/Disney
A strong parallel for Frankenstein is Homelander from the popular series, whose obsession with the beverage highlights both his evil nature and childishness. Similarly, the doctor's preference for milk underscores the director's view of him as emotionally stunted.
Insights from the Movie's Creative Team
To uncover the meaning behind this dairy motif, the production group behind the film shared their insights. As per director of photography the visual expert, and he collaborated with the director on multiple projects, the reason is straightforward.
"Victor is essentially a kid, and he’s therefore innocent because he’s consuming milk," Laustsen states. "Any typical person would opt for red wine or something else."
Image: Netflix
The costume designer, and she worked on the outfits for this film and previous del Toro movies, expands on the symbolism.
"He's a manchild," she comments. "He is an angry kid that’s somewhat matured. The milk is a wonderful, delicious, small ongoing personal habit. It connects him straight to his mother. I love that selfish, childlike trait of Victor."
She adds that viewers can spot containers of milk accumulating in the street near the character's home early in the film, when he meets another character. "This is a recurring element."
Image: Netflix
According to set designer the artistic lead, who worked on another del Toro film and Frankenstein, the milk relates to the character's mother.
"He was mother-obsessed," Deverell states. "He was always a kid who never mature, up to he became a father of the Creature. So consuming dairy is kind of a symbol of adolescence, of being linked to your early years."
She further points out that the drink could represent more than just his immaturity. A different reading is that it shows his obsessive drive to conquer death through his work.
"Victor avoids drink," Deverell says. "He is focused. He's a scientist; a physician."
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the underlying meaning, one thing is clear: Following watching Frankenstein, a glass of milk may not appear the same any longer.
Frankenstein is viewed now on Netflix.
