Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro presents Frankenstein as a story intertwined with pain, regret, and a profound sense of forgiveness. The film’s thematic core reflects del Toro’s own personal journey, especially after a pivotal conversation with his father, Federico del Toro, influenced the inclusion of forgiveness in this fresh interpretation of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic.
A Father‘s Kidnapping Inspires the Theme of Forgiveness
Del Toro revealed during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival that his father was kidnapped in 1998 and remained silent about the ordeal for years. Before Federico’s passing, del Toro urged him to share his experience to better understand the man behind the father figure.
“My father was kidnapped in ’98, and when he came back, he didn’t talk about it,”
—Guillermo del Toro
“And then before he passed, I said, ‘We have to sit down and you gotta tell me what happened.’ That was very important for me to understand the man.”
—Guillermo del Toro
Through this real-life trauma, del Toro explores forgiveness not as a simple gesture but as a complex process involving both forgiving others and oneself.
“forgiving someone and forgiving yourself into being,”
—Guillermo del Toro
“What you realize is a grudge takes two prisoners and forgiveness liberates two people. I thought I could make the movie, but then I went, No, thank God it didn’t happen until now.”
—Guillermo del Toro
Exploring Father-Son Dynamics in the Story
Frankenstein focuses heavily on the intricate relationship between fathers and sons. Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who creates life through a controversial experiment, bringing a creature to life portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The cast also features Mia Goth as Elizabeth, fiancée to Victor’s younger brother, played by Felix Kammerer; David Bradley as an old blind man; Charles Dance as Victor’s father; Christian Convery as young Victor; and Christoph Waltz as arms merchant Harlander.
Del Toro links the kidnapping episode and its impact on his family to the dual perspectives portrayed in the film, emphasizing the emotional paralysis experienced by both the victim and their loved ones.
“When somebody’s taken, the family is taken,”
—Guillermo del Toro
“Both sides are paralyzed. I told him our side and he told me his side.”
—Guillermo del Toro
Integrating Multiple Perspectives in One Film
Initially, del Toro considered creating two separate films to illustrate the viewpoints of Dr. Frankenstein and his creature. He ultimately combined these narratives into a single story that conveys the complex emotions beneath their intertwined fates.
“Every time you have drama on film is great,”
—Guillermo del Toro
“Every time you have drama in your life, it’s coming from a false understanding of life. Either you think you deserve more or you don’t deserve this. And the word ‘deserve’ has nothing to do with living. It just is. And the movie tries to show those things.”
—Guillermo del Toro
Oscar Isaac Reflects on Victor’s Journey
For Oscar Isaac, understanding the father-son themes was essential during his first meetings with del Toro. Isaac describes Victor Frankenstein at the film’s opening as a worn, frightened man in the Arctic, struggling with his past and the burden of his creation.
“When we first find [Victor], he is this ragged man at the end of the Arctic,”
—Oscar Isaac
“He is terrified. He is running. You don’t know if he’s running away or running through something or what’s going on. As Victor tells his tale, he begins with his father and his own creation. ‘How was I created? How was this person created? And if I’m gonna tell you about this horrible secret that I have, I must tell you how it got there. And that’s with my own father.’
—Oscar Isaac
Premiere and Upcoming Release Details
Frankenstein had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August under Netflix’s banner, moving next to the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday night. The film is scheduled to open in select theaters on October 17 before becoming available on Netflix on November 7.
The Emotional Impact Behind Del Toro’s Cinematic Vision
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is shaped by intense personal tragedy, transforming the familiar gothic tale into a more emotionally charged narrative centered on the liberation found through forgiveness. By merging the perspectives of creator and creature, the film explores themes of pain and healing within the broader context of familial bonds and human resilience. This approach promises a thoughtful and unsettling cinematic experience that delves deeply into what it means to forgive.
