It's all Doug Jones, man. It's something about the characters he plays, and the way he BECOMES them. He just doesn't jump into a role on a whim, either; you can tell he invests a GREAT deal of research into who or what he is playing, and gives it 110% every time he suits up.
Doug Jones, whether it be in Shape of Water, as Abe in Hellboy, or in Pan's Labyrinth... utterly remakes his physical presence, and some way (witchcraft or alien conspiracies, etc) he *becomes* other...and *otherworldly* !
If it isn't, as a Saru-junkie, I'll devour your post anyhow!
Thank you for sharing!
-Phloom