Guillermo del Toro’s latest film, Frankenstein, debuted at the Venice Film Festival as a powerful story focused on human flaws rather than fears about artificial intelligence. Featuring Jacob Elordi as the creature and Oscar Isaac as his creator, the movie explores the consequences of unchecked ambition and technology through a classic tale reimagined with emotional depth.
Del Toro Clarifies Film’s Message Beyond AI Concerns
At the film’s official press conference, del Toro emphasized that the film is not meant to serve as an allegory for artificial intelligence.
“It’s not intended as a metaphor for that,”
del Toro explained.
“We live in a time of terror and intimidation, certainly. And the seminal question in the novel is, what is it to be human? What makes us human? There’s no more urgent task than to remain, in a time where everything is pushing towards a bipolar, understanding of our humanity. The movie tries to show imperfect characters and the right we have to remain imperfect, and the right we have to understand each other under the most oppressive circumstances.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director
Further underscoring his perspective, del Toro added a witty remark about his real fear.
“I’m not afraid of artificial intelligence. I’m afraid of natural stupidity.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director
A Modern Take on a Timeless Classic
The film, which cost $120 million to make, is competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at Venice, the same prize del Toro won in 2017 for The Shape of Water. Drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking novel, the story follows a brilliant but egotistical scientist who creates a living being that ultimately brings tragedy to both creator and creation.
Unlike many traditional horror adaptations, this version treats Frankenstein as a layered family drama that del Toro has dreamed of making since childhood. Jacob Elordi portrays the misunderstood creature locked in conflict with his maker, played by Oscar Isaac, as the director offers an emotionally complex narrative rather than a simple monster movie.
Reflecting on the journey to bring this vision to life, del Toro shared his personal connection to the character.
“I’ve been following the creature since I was kid. I waited for the movie do be done in the right conditions creatively,”
he said.
And now that he’s completed the film, he joked, I’m in postpartum depression.
—Guillermo del Toro, Director
Balancing Theater and Streaming in Today’s Film Landscape
While Netflix will distribute Frankenstein, the film will have a limited theatrical release before arriving on the streaming platform. Del Toro expressed no concerns about the shorter theater window, acknowledging the uncertainties facing cinemas today.
“Look at my set, I always want more of everything,”
he said.
But when it comes to the rocky state of movie theaters, the director noted, “you never know what’s going to happen.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director
Del Toro referenced his 2021 movie Nightmare Alley, which struggled at the box office due to unfortunate timing alongside Spider-Man: No Way Home and the rise of the Omicron COVID variant.
“We were released next to ‘Spider Man [No Way Home] and Omicron, the variation of COVID. We lasted very little,”
del Toro recalled.
“So you never know what is affordable. What I do know is to reach over 300 million viewers [on Netflix], you take the opportunity and challenge to make a movie that evokes that cinema and then you provide theaters in the beginning. That makes, for me, a very creative experience.”
—Guillermo del Toro
Perspectives on Monsters in Today’s World
During the press event, Jacob Elordi was asked who he considers a real-life monster, and he responded swiftly.
“Men in suits,” Elordi said without hesitation.
Del Toro added a humorous remark about Elordi’s answer, referring to those figures as “very well tailored” monsters.
Significance and Expectations for Del Toro’s Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein stands as a deeply human story examining imperfection, ambition, and the essence of what makes us human. By refocusing the narrative away from fear of artificial intelligence and toward the dangers of arrogance and misunderstanding, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own humanity.
With its debut at Venice and its upcoming release on Netflix, Frankenstein aims to reach a broad audience while also competing among the world’s top films. Del Toro’s distinctive blend of horror and family drama heralds a fresh cinematic take on a much-adapted story, promising to resonate with viewers amid today’s complex social climate.
