Overview
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorDavid Lynch
Cast
Anthony Hopkins
Frederick Treves
John Hurt
John Merrick
Anne Bancroft
Mrs Kendal
John Gielgud
Carr Gomm
Wendy Hiller
Mothershead
Freddie Jones
Bytes
Michael Elphick
Night Porter
Hannah Gordon
Mrs Treves
Helen Ryan
Princess Alex
John Standing
Fox
Dexter Fletcher
Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlop
Nora
Phoebe Nicholls
Merrick's Mother
Pat Gorman
Fairground Bobby
Claire Davenport
Fat Lady
Orla Pederson
Skeleton Man
Patsy Smart
Distraught Woman
Frederick Treves
Alderman
Stromboli
Fire Eater
Richard Hunter
Hodges
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Keywords
friendshiplondon, englandescapenurseexploitationbiographybased on true storytragedyhospitalblack and whiteperiod dramasocial injusticephysical abusecuriositydisabilitysideshowdying youngemotional vulnerabilitydisfigurementbirth defect
Details
Budget
$5M
Revenue
$26M
TMDb Votes
3,911
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026