Frankenstein (2025) Dir. Guillermo del Toro



Only Monsters play God. The oldest science fiction story in the world, is a tale about an egotistical mad scientist trying to conquer death, by reanimating a monster made of various body parts. What will Victor Frankenstein do when he creates life? How will the world react to something so grotesque? But most importantly, what will the Monster do when its creator abandons him?

Guillermo del Toro’s latest adaptation of Frankenstein is a passion project decades in the making. Del Toro has been wanting to do this movie for his entire career, and it really does feel like it. This film feels like a culmination of not only del Toro’s professional career but also his personal life. His very soul emanates throughout this entire film, from his strict catholic background to his many reflections and philosophies on his own life. The eccentricities of del Toro’s signature style radiates throughout Frankenstein, from its gothic architecture to its sweeping grand camera movements. There is so much beauty in the grotesque. Any Guillermo del Toro fan will be massively pleased and vindicated with this film.

This film is split into two parts, the first being the story of Victor, why he becomes so obsessed with death and his journey towards making the Monster. The 2^nd part telling the story of the creature after the aftermath of the first half. The second half provides so much emotional heart to the monster, fully explaining his growth towards the climactic end of this movie. Guillermo del Toro does deviate from the source material; this was mostly expected.

But he deviates in a way that expresses what he wants to say, he has said plenty of times that this movie is a way of expressing how he feels about his own father and son relationship, and with that in mind you can really feel that deep emotion behind all the dialogue between Frankenstein and the creature. Working through all the guilt and eventual reconciliation, is a way of deviating from the source material whilst also respecting and enhancing the key themes of the original Mary Shelly book.

This film is undoubtably visually breathtaking. It’s set and costume design are easily one of the best highlights throughout this film, stunningly gothic sets with various catholic imagery layered throughout for its eagle-eyed viewers. With the costume designers behind Crimson Peak (One of del Toro’s most underrated films) coming back for this film, their stunning garments feel so ethereal on the actors, especially on the likes of the enchanting Mia Goth. Guillermo del Toro has always had preferences towards practical filmmaking, but this mind set easily feels the most present here.

The cast are nothing but sublime. Oscar Issac as Victor Frankenstein adds this feeling of self-absorption to the role. Channelling the energies of modern-day tech bros and 80’s rock stars, to get across the overall narrative that this is a mad man who can’t deal with what he has created. He has his cake but refuses to eat it. The real standout here is jacob Elordi as the creature. I loved him in many of his past projects like Euphoria and Saltburn, but I and many people were sceptical about this casting. But this film thankfully skyrockets Elordi to A tier actor for me. He stepped into the role with 3 weeks until filming, had to endure practical prosthetics, and then delivered a hauntingly beautiful performance, filled with innocence, revenge, and a deep fascination with the world around him. Some may not like this performance because of their preconceived notions about who this monster is, but rest assured that this version of the creature is perhaps the most faithful to the source material.

This film does truly feel like a cinematic experience, the score of this film is filled with so much heartbreak and whimsey, the majesty of the framing and blocking on screen, and the deep bassy roars of the monster, makes seeing this film in cinema so worthwhile. It is a shame that this film will be forever shackled to Netflix and the majority of people who watch it won't be able to get the most out of it. Thankfully it is getting a small theatrical release, so make the time and see this movie whilst you can. It is totally worth it, and easily the best film I have seen at the London Film Festival.

★★★★½

4.5 / 5

Jacob Holmes

Instagram: _jacob.holmes

Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/2vL6V