Frankenstein Movie Review: Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film is a retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; Or the modern Prometheus is the culmination of his life’s dream. Having first encountered the story as a child growing up in Mexico, del Toro has long been fascinated by it, often referring to Frankenstein’s creature as his “patron saint.” So it’s no surprise that his version of the classic horror story views the creature (Jacob Elordi) with deep sympathy and humanity. Del Toro not only gives the creature these qualities, but also strength and, more importantly, a voice.
This ambitious saga begins with a Danish ship trapped in the Arctic ice during an expedition to the North Pole. The crew rescues an injured Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), who is being pursued by the creature. As Victor recounts his past, we are drawn into the story of a brilliant, arrogant scientist. His childhood was marked by a deep attachment to his mother and neglect by his famous doctor father.
Grieving over his mother’s death, he decides to “play God”, to overcome death itself. Through a gruesome experiment with the help of arms dealer Heinrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), he sets out to create “life.” But when Victor encounters his own creation, a living being assembled from disassembled body parts but seemingly lacking intelligence, he retreats. His rejection of the creature reflects the abandonment his father once suffered, making the film about creation and responsibility.
Del Toro, who has long humanized monsters and misfits in his work, blends this empathy with his signature visual grandeur. Frankenstein is both stunning and moving, fusing gothic horror with emotional depth. The director experiments with a striking color palette. Victor remembers his mother wearing a flowing red veil—an indelible image of warmth and longing. Later in life, Victor is seen wearing red gloves and scarves as his absence haunts him.
One of the film’s strengths is its casting. Isaac embodies Victor’s brilliance and arrogance, and his madness, loss, and sadness. Elordi faces the daunting task of reimagining one of literature’s most iconic characters. His mostly silent performance, punctuated by paused syllables, conveys both terror and tenderness. Despite the heavy prosthetics, Elordi reveals the creature’s pain, anger, and yearning for acceptance.
Mia Goth gives an impressive turn as Elizabeth Harlander, the fiancée of Victor’s younger brother William (Felix Kammerer). Her elaborate, clever, and curious costumes add lush visual texture to the film’s gothic look.
Read also | Guillermo del Toro talks about his Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein, the craft and humanity of monsters
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With Frankenstein, del Toro turns beauty into horror, creating a world that is both majestic and frightening at the same time. While the narrative drags at times, the film’s visual splendor and emotional depth keep the audience engaged.
Frankenstein movie director: Guillermo del Toro
Frankenstein movie crew: Oscar Isaac, Jakob El Wardi, Mia Guth, Christoph Waltz and Felix Kamerer
Frankenstein movie rating: Three and a half stars
(Tags for translation)Frankenstein
