After nearly two decades in development, Guillermo del Toro has finally unveiled his long-anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2025. This Netflix production, starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, is a lavish, gothic reimagining of Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic. True to del Toro’s signature style, the film blends horror, romance, and tragedy into a visually stunning and emotionally charged experience.
The Talent Behind the Film
At the helm is visionary director Guillermo del Toro, who also penned the screenplay. Known for Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Crimson Peak, del Toro brings his trademark visual flair and emotional intensity to the story. Jacob Elordi embodies the ‘Creature’ with a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, while Oscar Isaac portrays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a tortured artist-scientist consumed by grief and ambition.
Mia Goth brings ethereal intelligence to the role of Elizabeth, and Christoph Waltz adds intrigue as the arms dealer Harlander. The ensemble is rounded out by Charles Dance, David Bradley, and Lars Mikkelsen. Behind the scenes, del Toro’s longtime collaborators—including Dan Laustsen (cinematography), Tamara Deverell (production design), Kate Hawley (costume design), and Alexandre Desplat (score)—ensure the film is a visual and auditory feast.
Plot Overview
The story unfolds in three acts: Prelude, Victor’s Tale, and the Creature’s Tale. It opens in the Arctic, with Victor near death and the Creature searching for him. The narrative then alternates perspectives, detailing Victor’s descent into obsession and grief alongside the Creature’s journey of awakening, abandonment, and eventual vengeance.
Rather than a conventional horror story, del Toro presents Frankenstein as a Romantic tragedy, exploring themes of fatherhood, identity, and the cruelty of creation. It remains remarkably faithful to Shelley’s original text while offering fresh interpretations.
What Works: Visuals, Emotion, and Performances
Del Toro’s visual world-building is spectacular, from towering laboratories and lavish ballrooms to Gothic landscapes. Every frame is meticulously designed, with saturated reds and greens, grand sets, and ornate costumes creating an immersive experience.
Jacob Elordi’s Creature is a standout, portraying a complex mix of childlike curiosity, heartbreak, and philosophical depth. His interactions with David Bradley’s blind man and Mia Goth’s Elizabeth are among the film’s most affecting moments. Oscar Isaac delivers a commanding performance as Victor, balancing ego and torment, while Mia Goth adds mystery and empathy. Alexandre Desplat’s score enhances the romantic melancholy throughout.
What Falls Short: Pacing and Tone
Clocking in at 2 hours and 29 minutes, Frankenstein occasionally feels overlong. Del Toro’s indulgence in every visual and thematic idea leads to pacing issues, particularly in the first half. The dual-perspective narrative, while clever in concept, loses momentum by mid-film.
The biggest challenge is tonal inconsistency, with the film shifting unevenly between melodrama, tragedy, and surrealism. Despite an R rating, del Toro avoids fully exploring sexuality or the ethical implications of Victor’s ambition, leaning instead on graphic gore while leaving deeper human desires and dilemmas largely unexamined.
