Director Guillermo Del Toro finally unleashes his classic monster movie adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Reportedly a passion project many years in the making, the film is a unique take on the material, focusing more on the tragedy of passed-along generational trauma than a traditional horror thriller. It's a film that prioritizes gothic melancholy over genuine scares.
"The film is a unique take on the material... focusing more on the tragedy of passed-along generational trauma than a traditional horror thriller."— Ray Manukay
🎬 Cast & Crew
- Director: Guillermo Del Toro
- Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth
- Platform: Netflix
- Cinematography: Dan Laustsen
The Vision
In terms of aesthetics, this adaptation is simply visually stunning. The gothic style, set design, costumes, and makeup are breathtaking. However, the film is simply not scary. It lacks the thrills or true horror that a Frankenstein movie should have. Del Toro leans so heavily into the "Creature as a victim" archetype that it drains the narrative of any real tension.
🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts
- Long-Time Dream: Del Toro has been trying to make this film for over 15 years, citing it as the most important project of his career.
- Casting Shift: Jacob Elordi stepped into the role of the Creature after Andrew Garfield had to depart due to scheduling conflicts.
- Literary Comparison: Unlike the novel's articulate, vengeful killer, Del Toro's Creature is portrayed as a soul-crushed victim of his creator's ambition.
✅ Pros
- Jacob Elordi’s standout, soulful performance as the Creature.
- Impeccable, world-class gothic production design.
- A unique focus on parental cycles of abuse.
❌ Cons
- A complete lack of horror or traditional thrills.
- Narrative pacing drags significantly in the second act.
- Oscar Isaac’s performance feels slightly disconnected.
Full Review
Director Guillermo del Toro finally unleashes his long-gestating passion project, a unique adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Rather than a traditional horror thriller, del Toro focuses heavily on the tragedy of generational trauma. In a move that will surprise no one familiar with his filmography, the "monster" here is no monster at all; that title is arguably reserved for the creator, Victor Frankenstein, who is himself a victim of an abusive father. It is a narrative choice that leans into the tragedy of the original novel, but it begs the question: do audiences come to a Frankenstein story to be moved by tragedy, or to be thrilled and terrified?
Aesthetically, the film is simply stunning. The gothic style, meticulous set design, and breathtaking makeup are half the battle in an adaptation like this. However, despite the visual mastery, the film feels like a slight letdown compared to del Toro's previous works. Crimson Peak remains a superior gothic tale, and The Shape of Water offers a more effective sympathetic monster. Because del Toro's themes are so consistent, these comparisons are inevitable, and this version of Frankenstein simply isn't scary. It is thought-provoking, but it lacks the visceral thrills or true horror one might expect from the source material.
Most surprising is the deviation from the novel's darker beats; the creature is so sympathetic that he never commits the vengeful murders that give the original story its sting. While Jacob Elordi turns in a standout, nearly heroic performance as the creature, this extreme sympathy arguably undermines the effectiveness of the legend. Oscar Isaac delivers a bold, tricky performance as Victor, balanced by Mia Goth in an effective dual role and the always-entertaining Christoph Waltz. Yet, the pacing drags in sections, especially for those of us who hold the classic novel in high regard.
To del Toro's credit, he remains an admirable auteur who tells stories his own way, but this interpretation left me asking why it was called Frankenstein at all. My own admiration for his earlier films, like Cronos and the underrated Nightmare Alley, perhaps set my expectations too high. While I reserve the right to adjust my perception over time, my initial feeling is that this is a "glorious disappointment." If you choose to watch it, go in without expectations; it is an accomplished piece of art, but it may not be the Frankenstein you were looking for.
🏆 Final Verdict
A technical masterpiece that feels curiously hollow. While it is a visual feast, Del Toro's Frankenstein lacks the spark of life required to make it a classic.
View original review on Letterboxd
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