Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited ‘Frankenstein’ film arrives, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, offering a visually stunning, emotionally charged, and uniquely personal interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic, earning praise as a worthwhile addition to the monster canon.
For decades, master filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has woven intricate tales of the macabre, his distinctive style transforming monsters into figures of strange beauty and profound tragedy. It is no secret that among his earliest and most enduring loves was Mary Shelley’s seminal novel, “Frankenstein,” a story that, alongside the classic Boris Karloff film, deeply influenced his journey into filmmaking. Now, his lifelong dream project has materialized, bringing a deeply personal interpretation of the iconic monster to the screen.
Opening in select theaters this Friday and later streaming globally on Netflix starting November 7, del Toro’s “Frankenstein” is not a conventional, by-the-letter adaptation. Instead, it serves as an artistic “interpretation,” a reading of Shelley’s immortal narrative through the visionary lens of a filmmaker renowned for his romantic appreciation of the grotesque. While not heralded as his absolute best work, it remarkably transcends the common pitfalls often associated with deeply personal “passion projects,” delivering a film that is undeniably beautiful and a significant addition to the monster canon.
A Timeless Story Reimagined: Fathers, Sons, and the Madness of Creation
At its heart, del Toro’s “Frankenstein” delves into universal themes: stories within stories, the complex dynamics between fathers and sons, the delicate balance between innocence and monstrosity, and the inherent madness that accompanies creation. The film meticulously presents both sides of the tragic equation, allowing Victor Frankenstein (portrayed by Oscar Isaac) and his Creation (embodied by Jacob Elordi) to vocalize their perspectives. However, del Toro’s long-standing affection for the “monster” is evident, which subtly shifts the narrative away from strict neutrality.
Unlike Shelley’s more nuanced creature, del Toro’s Creation is depicted largely as an innocent, prone to toddler-like bursts of rage amplified by superhuman strength. This results in surprisingly grisly outcomes, as the creature “skins,” “tears jaws off,” and “tosses grown men” with terrifying force when provoked. Yet, both Victor and the Creature are presented as products and victims of their paternal legacies, a theme underscored by the inability of maternal figures (both played by Mia Goth) to shield them from their doomed fates.
The Cast: Brilliant Performances in a Gothic World
The film boasts a compelling ensemble that breathes new life into these classic characters:
- Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein: Isaac delivers a “delightful” performance as the brilliant, egotistical scientist. His Victor is a theatrical, defiant outsider obsessed with conquering death and surpassing his own menacing father, played by Charles Dance. His softer side is reserved only for his brother William (Felix Kammerer) and William’s fiancée, Elizabeth.
- Jacob Elordi as The Creation: Elordi’s portrayal strips the monster of traditional bolts, presenting a creation intended to be a “marble Adonis.” His creature is a “sensitive soul” whose default is gentleness, but whose violent survival instincts are very real. Victor quickly abandons him, believing him “dumb,” leaving him to navigate a hostile world.
- Mia Goth as Elizabeth/Mother Figures: Goth’s dual role as Elizabeth, William’s fiancée, and as maternal figures to both Victor and the Creature, serves as a poignant, if “on the nose,” metaphor. Elizabeth stands as an “excellent foil” to Victor’s hubris, embodying a nurturing instinct that contrasts with his desire to control.
- Charles Dance as Victor’s Father: Dance brings a “menacing” presence to Victor’s father, whose influence fuels Victor’s ambitious and dangerous experiments.
- David Bradley as the Blind Man: A significant character in the Creature’s journey, the old, blind man, much like Elizabeth, perceives the Creature’s gentle soul, offering a rare moment of connection and understanding.
The film’s second half unfolds as a “symphony of discovery,” a coming-of-age narrative for a monster yearning for companionship but largely met with hatred. His rapid learning under a “kinder tutor” is a “double-edged sword,” as he comes to comprehend the profound nature of his existence and the curse of eternal life.
A Maximalist Gothic Spectacle: Del Toro’s Signature Style
Del Toro’s signature “gothic grandeur” is on full display, benefiting from what appears to be an unconstrained budget and a reunion with many of his frequent collaborators. The “elaborate, maximalist world-building” is a testament to production designer Tamara Deverell’s artistry, transitioning from Victor’s lavish childhood estate to his stark, abandoned irrigation plant laboratory. The “romantic, beautiful, utterly impractical costumes” by Kate Hawley are museum-worthy, while Alexandre Desplat’s “appropriately epic score” electrifies every scene.
The journey to bring this particular vision of “Frankenstein” to life has been a long-held ambition for Guillermo del Toro, a testament to his profound connection with the material. Reports from Variety highlighted the initial excitement surrounding the casting of Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, signaling a fresh take on the classic characters while promising del Toro’s unique visual flair. This meticulous approach to casting and design aimed to capture the essence of Shelley’s tale while infusing it with del Toro’s characteristic blend of horror and heartfelt emotion.
Everything about this “Frankenstein” is presented as “larger than life,” from its substantial 149-minute runtime to the overwhelming “emotions on display” — the empathy, anguish, rage, and regret. This intensity can be “a bit exhausting,” packing “a lifetime of dreaming” into its duration. However, the critical consensus from the Associated Press acknowledges its soul and its “undeniably beautiful, worthwhile addition to the canon,” even if it doesn’t achieve “masterpiece material.”
The film’s R rating by the Motion Picture Association is attributed to “bloody violence, grisly images,” a clear indication that del Toro has not shied away from the darker aspects of the tale. For fans of classic cinema and del Toro’s distinct brand of gothic storytelling, this “Frankenstein” promises a rich, immersive experience that stands as a unique chapter in the monster’s enduring legacy.
