Enter the remaining cast of characters, both major and minor: the janitorial staff of the classified underground wing of the compound, Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer in a role
written for her by del Toro) and the mute Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins, radiant in a star - making role); the attending government scientist Dr. Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg), also a Russian double - agent; and, of course, Elisa's next door neighbor, Giles (Richard Jenkins, deserving of a Supporting Actor nomination), who frets about growing older and his hair loss, pines for love with a local
pie shop employee and shares his passion for musicals with the equally besotted Elisa (they sit side - by - side on the sofa performing a quick soft shoe).