Get ready! Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” arrives in select theaters on October 17th, with a global Netflix release to follow on November 7th.
The echoes of generational trauma resonate deeply through countless stories, depicting a cycle of pain passed from one generation to the next, seemingly without end. It’s a timeless narrative, much like Mrs. Potts once observed. From the ancient Greek myths of Kronos to the tragic descent of Michael Corleone, this inherited anguish is a powerful and universal theme.
These profound themes often create the most captivating narratives, which leads us directly to Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated “Frankenstein”.
While Mary Shelley’s tale of Frankenstein is universally recognized, del Toro – who has passionately pursued this project for over two decades – crafts an adaptation that honors the original while making its timeless themes feel strikingly new. Though some characters are omitted and others introduced, the fundamental essence remains: a creator abandons his creation, igniting a furious path of rejection and rage. This film, much like its eponymous Creature, is a beautifully haunting experience, meticulously constructed from the finest narrative “specimens” to breathe fresh life into a beloved classic.
Here, Victor Frankenstein (portrayed by Oscar Isaac) becomes a monstrous figure himself, echoing the classic question of “who is the real monster?”. His own cruelty is a direct inheritance from his abusive father, Leopold (a role perfectly suited for Charles Dance, who excels at playing formidable patriarchs). This painful cycle continues as Victor imbues life into his Creature, brought to life by a captivating Jacob Elordi, whose scarred appearance cannot diminish his inherent allure.
This iteration of Frankenstein is, like its Creature, a beautiful, haunting thing through which classic themes are made to feel fresh and new.
Elordi delivers a stunning performance. His Creature, surprisingly imbued with almost superhuman strength, is far removed from his recent roles as more villainous characters. Del Toro crafts a Monster in the spirit of Boris Karloff, presenting a deeply sympathetic and sorrowful being yearning for genuine connection. Elordi’s physical portrayal, reminiscent of master creature actor Doug Jones, emphasizes the Creature’s composite nature – a collection of different bodies still finding their cohesion, subtly conveyed through his movements and posture.
Oscar Isaac’s Victor, however, verges on being unlikable. Initially, there are tender moments between creator and creation, but the Creature’s struggle to develop beyond repeating “Vict-or” quickly infuriates the brilliant yet arrogant doctor. Mirroring his own father’s neglect, Victor punishes instead of nurtures, trapping the Creature in a cycle of abuse that denies him any chance at a normal existence, regardless of his monstrous form. This portrayal almost elevates Victor to the film’s true antagonist, a familiar twist in Frankenstein lore, but one that occasionally pushes the character’s darker moments a little too far. Classic portrayals, like Colin Clive’s mad doctor to Boris Karloff’s monster, maintained a degree of sympathy even in their most frenzied states.
Mia Goth delivers her signature ethereal presence to Elizabeth Harlander. While the novel introduces her as Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor’s adopted kin and eventual wife, del Toro’s version places her as William’s (Felix Kammerer) fiancée. William, often a tragic figure succumbing to the Creature’s rage in other adaptations, here serves as an obstacle to Victor’s affections. Furthermore, Christoph Waltz joins the cast as Elizabeth’s uncle, Heinrich Harlander, a benefactor funding Victor’s ambition. While Waltz is always a delightful addition, his character unfortunately contributes little beyond extending the film’s runtime.
“Frankenstein” doesn’t shy away from visceral imagery – expect plenty of blood, gore, and shattered bones. Yet, it transcends typical horror. Much like del Toro’s “Crimson Peak,” it’s a grand, immersive cinematic experience. Viewers are drawn into a world where a vibrant red gown starkly contrasts with a grim castle, city streets flow with slaughterhouse runoff, and a frozen battlefield eerily displays an ice-clad horse mid-gallop. Amidst this macabre beauty, moments of pure wonder shine through, like the Creature’s first encounter with the sun – a poignant reminder of Victor’s simple, powerful decree: “Sun is life.”
Del Toro masterfully showcases his deep appreciation for genre history. The Creature’s design unmistakably draws from the iconic illustrations of comic legend Bernie Wrightson’s “Frankenstein,” while an early, unexpectedly humorous experiment by Victor evokes the cult classic “The Return of the Living Dead.” This brilliant fusion of influences, brought to life by del Toro’s distinctive vision, perfectly complements the film’s narrative and the enduring legacy of Mary Shelley’s novel. His profound love for the source material shines through, delivering a unique interpretation that respectfully breathes new life into a timeless story.
While the original novel doesn’t promise a happy ending for either Victor or his creation, del Toro offers a glimmer of hope for the fractured Frankenstein family, suggesting a path to redemption after generations of self-inflicted torment. By presenting the narrative from both Victor’s and the Creature’s perspectives, the film powerfully underscores its central themes of atonement and forgiveness. Can the Creature truly forgive his creator’s profound abandonment? Can Victor finally break free from his inherited cycle of abuse? Ultimately, del Toro seems to suggest that the answer lies in a single, universal force: love.
Verdict
For those of us who have eagerly awaited Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” for two decades (I even imagined seeing his early sketches within Victor’s notes!), this film is an absolute triumph. Del Toro masterfully applies his distinct vision to Mary Shelley’s narrative, crafting a profound story of tragedy, romance, and redemption, rather than a conventional horror film. While it certainly doesn’t lack unsettling, bloody moments, these are merely the vibrant red accents on a much deeper canvas. At its heart, del Toro’s film explores the Creature’s haunting question of why violence appears inevitable, and what monumental effort is required to finally break its grip.