Like every tyrant, he delights in playing the victim
Elizabeth Lavenza played by Mia Goth in the 2025 Film, Frankenstein
“Like every tyrant, he delights in playing the victim.” Elizabeth Lavenza
Unmasking the Manipulator
The quote is a sharp indictment of authoritarian behaviour. When Elizabeth Lavenza says, “Like every tyrant, he delights in playing the victim,” she’s pointing to a paradoxical strategy often used by those in power, playing the role of the oppressed while continuing to dominate others. It’s a deflection tactic, shifting blame and garnering sympathy, all while keeping control. In short, the true tyrant cries foul to keep the upper hand.
The Scene and Setting
In Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza is not a background character. She’s reimagined as a voice of clarity and conscience. Her quote is directed at a figure of authority, likely Victor Frankenstein himself or one of his benefactors, during a tense confrontation. She calls out the pattern: someone abusing their power while masking it with narratives of persecution. Her words act as a reckoning, cutting through the melodrama to expose manipulation.
Who is Elizabeth Lavenza?
Originally a character in Mary Shelley’s novel, Elizabeth Lavenza is typically portrayed as Victor Frankenstein’s adopted cousin and fiancée. In many adaptations, she’s a passive figure, caught in the tragic crossfire of Victor’s ambition. However, in the 2025 film version, played by Mia Goth, she is reimagined with far more agency. She questions the ethics of Victor’s scientific pursuits, empathises with the Creature, and represents a grounded moral centre in a world of escalating obsession. This quote underlines her perceptiveness and strength in speaking truth to power.
About Mia Goth
Mia Goth is a British actress known for her distinctive presence and emotionally intense performances. She began her career in modelling before transitioning into film, making a strong impression in Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac (2013). Goth is especially celebrated for her work in psychological horror, starring in films such as X (2022), Pearl (2022), and Infinity Pool (2023). Her roles often blend vulnerability with unsettling intensity, making her an ideal choice for complex, layered characters like Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein (2025). With a growing reputation as a modern gothic icon, Goth brings both eerie elegance and emotional weight to every role she inhabits.
Behind Frankenstein (2025)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein (2025) is a gothic reworking of Mary Shelley’s timeless tale. The cast features Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza. Known for his visionary storytelling, del Toro infuses the narrative with themes of grief, control, and identity. The film has received early praise for its character-driven reinterpretation, with Elizabeth Lavenza standing out as a fully realised and thought-provoking figure, no longer sidelined but central to the story’s emotional and philosophical core.
