If the brilliance of special effects has been a gift to the horror film genre – Spanish actor Javier Botet has been an even greater gift. Due to a rare genetic disorder, the actor does not require computer processing to bring nightmarish monsters to life, just some special effects make-up.

Botet was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome, at the age of six, which caused him to grow 6 feet, 6 inches, but weigh in at a mere 120 pounds. In addition to his lanky stature, the condition affects his limbs and fingers, which are longer than average and can contort in various ways. Botet’s diagnoses proved to be a gift for the aspiring actor and science fiction/supernatural fan. He has now become a household name for Hollywood horror movies such as Slender Man (Slender Man), xenomorph (Alien: Covenant), Crooked Man (The Conjuring 2), Faceless Man (The Crucifixion), Keyface (Insidious: The Last Key), Mama (Mama), and now Mara (Mara), to name a few.

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Javier Botet has become a household name in Hollywood horror due to his rare genetic condition that allows for impressive body contortions

Image credits: jbotet

Botet first brought monsters to life through his art, drawing monsters, and eventually moved to Madrid to pursue the craft. During his time in the capital, he developed an interest in cinema and began to produce short films. Botet’s aspirations moved from behind the camera to in front of it while in attendance at a special effects workshop. The instructor pointed out that his figure would be perfect for some monster SFX makeup looks. “I didn’t realize, but I was born to perform,” Javier told the BBC.

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

The same instructor helped him land his first role in a small Spanish film, but his big break came in 2009 at a convention in Texas. Botet was promoting his work in ‘Rec 2’, when he met Argentine director Andrés Muschietti, who was there to promote his short film ‘Mama,’ that he wished to be turned into a feature film. Muschietti told Botet that he would be a perfect real-life monster for the film, and one year later, with Guillermo del Toro, signed on as the feature’s producer, Javier was cast.

Image credits: jbotet

The same instructor helped him land his first role in a small Spanish film, but his big break came in 2009 at a convention in Texas. Botet was promoting his work in ‘Rec 2’, when he met Argentine director Andrés Muschietti, who was there to promote his short film ‘Mama,’ that he wished to be turned into a feature film. Muschietti told Botet that he would be perfect for the film, and one year later, with Guillermo del Toro, signed on as the feature’s producer, Javier was cast.

Image credits: jbotet

While Botet’s movements might not require CGI, there is a hefty amount of make-up that goes into creating his creepy, monster facial features. These transformations can take hours and some of his most famous looks can be attributed to Spanish make-up artist David Martí from DDTSFX. Despite all the artistry that goes into Martí’s work he gives most of the props to the actors, “A lot of times they call them creature performers or monster guy – which is not correct, they are actors. I see people like Doug or Javier and it’s like ‘What the hell?’ You should not wear a mask.”

Image credits: jbotet

No matter how far we go with CGI Botet said that he doesn’t feel threatened by technology, “When there’s something digital, anything can happen. It’s like a cartoon – you lose the scare and the fear,” adding,
“I’d rather 100 times that you feel something is real, you can touch it, it exists and it can happen.”

Image credits: jbotet

The Conjuring 2

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

The Last Key

Image credits: jbotet

Mama

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

The Revenant

Image credits: jbotet

IT

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

The Other Side Of The Door

Image credits: jbotet

Slender Man

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: Sony Pictures

Image credits: jbotet

Crimson Peak

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

Behind

Image credits: jbotet

The Walking Dead

Image credits: jbotet

Insidious

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

Image credits: jbotet

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