FRANKENSTEIN: Guillermo del Toro’s Masterpiece Come to Life

For nearly twenty years, Guillermo del Toro had his filmmaking eye on a faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic horror novel, Frankenstein. A dream project for him before ever putting pen to paper, trying to realize his vision. Today, that vision is awakened in cinemas, and soon, in the homes of many. In del Toro’s Frankenstein, his artistry and passion are on full display, crafting a gothic horror masterpiece with an emotional jolt.

True to the source material, Frankenstein follows Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a scientist who’s obsessed with the notion of death and persistent in unlocking the key to life. Through a horrifying experiment, he finds success, giving life to a creature (Jacob Elordi) fashioned of assorted human remains. And while he’s quick to cast aside the “monster” he’s created, he’ll come to find the true monster was there long before his experiment began.

It’s a story that has long posed the question of who is the man versus the monster, and that’s something del Toro captures so exquisitely with his film. A surprisingly moving piece in which its two leads navigate with poetry.

Portraying the titular character is Oscar Isaac, with Jacob Elordi as his creature. Both are spectacular in this. Isaac is doing a wonderful job of weaving through the nuances of Victor. While he’s not the hero of this story, he’s not necessarily the villain. Simply a man consumed with his own wants.

Pleasantly surprising was Elordi’s performance as the monstrous creation of a mad scientist. While I wouldn’t say that I was skeptical that he could play this role well, it is quite stunning to see him fully embody this kind of character. He is so transformed and truly unrecognizable in this. The physicality of his performance is so delicate and earnest that you wind up having this connection with him, and you have empathy for him. It was moving to witness, and it solidifies his ability to dive into character acting with a talent he has so much left to explore.

What I loved is that we get to experience the story as if we are reading the pages of a Mary Shelley book. Told, with a prelude and in two chapters: Victor’s tale and the creature’s tale. We can find understanding in both characters. Through witnessing Victor’s childhood, we see the cruelty of his father and how that will eventually translate to how he treats his creation. And when we shift to the creature’s perspective, the film flourishes in a new way to show us such innocence and pain.

Visually, there’s something so hauntingly beautiful about a gothic horror piece, and del Toro ensures no detail is missed. From exquisite costume design by Kate Hawley to magnificent sets by Tamara Deverell, everything is rich and layered to fit the time period and the story.

Having previously worked with del Toro on his 2015 film Crimson Peak, Hawley’s attention to detail in her costuming is a continuation of the story that is truly inspired. There’s so much intricacy involved and subtleties that offer references for characters through fabrics and colorways. Even a noticeable nod to the Bride of Frankenstein. I found it to be some of the most beautiful costume design work of the year.

And Deverell, the production designer, gives those costumes and characters a stunning backdrop throughout. I especially loved her approach to Frankenstein’s lab, set in a decrepit yet foreboding building that also reminded me of the aforementioned Crimson Peak, with the decaying Sharpe estate.

There are so many breathtaking visuals, it’s a true feast for the eyes. All of it feels so thoughtful, which is why I think you can appreciate the artistry that goes into so many facets of this film.

Again, there was something about Frankenstein that left me so moved and just in awe of its beauty. It feels grand yet intimate — and profound. For a film so highly anticipated and from one of the most influential literary works of all time, it was quite a momentous experience to witness. And a joy that del Toro gets to unleash such a meaningful piece of his art.

Which does leave me still sad that it’s heading to streaming so quickly with Netflix. However, we can thank the streamer for resurrecting the project. There is something so theatrical about this film that it needs to be seen on the biggest screen with the best sound to soak in its stunning score. I really do urge audiences to see it in theaters because it’s an electric experience.

Frankenstein is in limited theaters October 17th. Streaming on Netflix November 7th.