Film Review: Frankenstein
Film
Frankenstein
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Double Dare You, Demilo Films, Bluegrass 7
In Theaters: 10.24.2025
I’m not really a Halloween person, but I have a few film traditions every year. One is to stay quiet while people praise Hocus Pocus as a classic. Eventually, I explode and act like an insufferable cinema snob (one who is 100% correct, but that’s beside the point). Another is to watch at least one Guillermo del Toro film in the latter half of the month to get into the spooky spirit. This season, the maestro of modern monster movies made the choice obvious with his electrifying new take on Frankenstein.
The Story and Characters
When an arctic expedition ship becomes trapped in the ice, the crew discovers a half-dead man, Doctor Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Dune). He is being stalked by a monstrous Creature (Jacob Elordi, Euphoria, Saltburn) who attacks the ship and threatens everyone unless they hand over Victor. Captain Anderson (Lars Mikkelson, Ahsoka), takes Victor below decks, the young scientist recounts the tragic history that brought him to this place. Victor’s lonely childhood and his mother, Claire’s (Mia Goth, X, Pearl) untimely death left him sensitive yet hardened by his cruel father, Baron Leopold Frankenstein (Charles Dance, Game of Thrones).
As an adult, he becomes a brilliant but arrogant scientist determined to conquer death. His obsession grows after meeting industrialist Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained) and his principled niece, Elizabeth (also played Goth). She is engaged to Victor’s younger brother, William (Felix Kammerer, All Quiet on The Western Front). Seeing profit in Victor’s work, Harlander funds his experiments, leading to the creation of life from stolen corpses. Horrified, Victor rejects the gentle Creature he brings to life. Abandoned and unloved, the Creature’s innocence turns to rage, beginning a relentless pursuit across laboratories and frozen seas.
Themes and Direction
Del Toro’s Frankenstein draws inspiration from Mary Shelley‘s novel but confidently deviates from it in major ways. The director leans heavily into the idea that while the Creature is unnatural, Victor is the true monster. The misunderstood creation becomes the most sympathetic and tragic figure, as in Hellboy or Pinocchio. Some may feel disappointed if they expect another Crimson Peak, as this film aligns more with Pan’s Labyrinth or The Shape of Water. in terms of heart and soul. It offers gothic melodrama, rich set design, and eerie moments without relying on cheap thrills. Fans of Goth might be surprised by her restrained, low-key performance. She and Del Toro simply deliver something different from what viewers might expect.
Performances and Standout Moments
Isaac has been a favorite of mine long before the Star Wars sequel trilogy brought him mainstream fame. I went into the film expecting his performance to be my favorite, and it truly is. The Juilliard-trained actor clearly enjoys the wicked theatricality of playing a genius on the edge of madness. He’s at his best in the final act, realizing his greatest failure is not as a scientist but as a father. Still, the movie belongs to Elordi, who is nothing short of a revelation as the tender-hearted, tortured Creature.
The film portrays the character as a lost and lonely manchild with a beauty only Elizabeth can truly see. Goth shines here, showing a softer, more restrained side as a performer. When the Creature is driven to violence, it’s terrifying, though less so than the cruelty that fuels it. The second standout performance comes from David Bradley best known as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films. He plays The Blind Man who befriends the Creature, and the scenes between Elordi and Bradley are both magical and deeply moving.
Final Thoughts on Frankenstein
Whether or not Frankenstein proves to be a monster hit in theaters, it’s bound to find a wide audience when it hits Netflix on November 7, but it’s a cinematic triumph that demands at least one viewing on the big screen. Del Toro is one of the great masters of his craft, and this long in development passion project surpassed my greatest hopes. It’s not just entertainment, and it’s not just art: It’s alive. IT’S ALIVE! —Patrick Gibbs
Read more of Patrick Gibbs’s film reviews:
Film Review: It was Just an Accident
Film Review: Good Fortune
