Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein film, releasing in October 2025, presents a deeply emotional and visually rich adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. The film centers on the complex relationship not between Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and Elizabeth (Mia Goth), nor between Elizabeth and the Creature (Jacob Elordi), but rather between del Toro himself and the creation at the story’s heart.
This long-anticipated project, which del Toro has envisioned for over two decades, explores the religious allegories and existential anguish embedded in the original text. The Creature, played with raw intensity by Elordi, is portrayed not as a mere monster but as a furious, heroic figure with powers resembling those of a superhero. Incapable of peace, he roars across the frozen tundra to confront his creator, symbolizing a Christ-like resurrection and rebellion against God.
Arctic Beginnings: A Dual Narrative Between Creator and Creation
In a faithful nod to Shelley’s narrative, the film opens in the Arctic, where a ship’s crew led by Captain Anderson (Lars Mikkelsen) witnesses a brutal encounter between the Creature and Victor Frankenstein. The story unfolds in the captain’s quarters through two distinct perspectives: one from Frankenstein’s and the other from the Creature’s point of view. This framing sets the tone for an intimate examination of the two tortured souls.
The film delves deeply into Victor’s Oedipal conflicts, especially his fraught relationship with his stern father Leopold (Charles Dance), whom young Victor (Christin Convery) blames for his mother’s death. This familial tension escalates when Victor’s younger brother William (Felix Kammerer) lashes out, accusing Victor of being “the real monster.”
Victor Frankenstein’s Quest to Transcend Nature
Philosophical and theological debates drive the film’s emotional core, largely through Victor’s character, who arrogantly declares his mission to fix the mistakes of a flawed God. Shortly before being expelled from Edinburgh Medical School, he proclaims,
God is inept, and we must correct his mistakes!
—Victor Frankenstein
Del Toro introduces a new character, the wealthy industrialist Harlander (Christoph Waltz), who bankrolls Victor’s experiments under the condition they are documented. This addition expands the film’s exploration of scientific hubris and capitalism. Within the massive stone tower where Victor works, rows of dead bodies accumulate in the basement, while the laboratory, with its steampunk-inspired orange and green glass tanks, blends elements reminiscent of del Toro’s previous works like The Shape of Water.
Visual Mastery and Gothic Elegance in Design
The production design and costumes are lavish and deliberate, reflecting del Toro’s signature aesthetic. Elizabeth’s gowns adorned with spinal lace detail mirror the exposed nerves and wires in the film’s anatomical displays, which are crafted with the precision and morbidity of 19th-century medical illustrations. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who previously worked on Nightmare Alley, enhances this visual feast with stunning scenes—from a tracking shot through rainy, crowded Victorian Edinburgh streets to a hauntingly beautiful image of the Creature silhouetted against an Arctic sunrise.
With a budget of approximately $120 million, the film leaves no stone unturned in its scale and spectacle. It emerges as a Gothic memento mori, rich with symbolism such as Elizabeth contemplating a human skull on her introduction, blending romance and decay in a way that defines del Toro’s oeuvre.
The Heavy Tone and Its Impact on the Viewing Experience
Despite the visual triumphs, the film’s relentless solemnity can weigh heavily on the audience. With only brief moments of levity in its nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, the narrative leans into an unyielding seriousness. The themes of death, godhood, and monstrosity are telegraphed with little subtlety, sometimes causing fatigue among the cast and viewers alike as the story progresses.
Exploring the Creature’s Tenderness and Pain
While Viktor’s story is drenched in anguish and ambition, the Creature’s arc brings forth moments of unexpected tenderness and despair. He finds a brief refuge in a humble cabin with a blind man who sees beyond his terrifying exterior. Upon learning his origin, the Creature mourns,
I am the child of a charnel house!
—The Creature
The blind man responds simply, yet profoundly, with You are my friend. This interaction encapsulates the film’s core message about empathy and humanity in the face of outward horror.
The Stellar Ensemble Bringing This Vision to Life
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein features a distinguished cast, including Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, supported by Mia Goth as Elizabeth and Charles Dance as Leopold. Felix Kammerer plays William, while Christoph Waltz adds gravitas as the enigmatic Harlander. The ensemble breathes life into del Toro’s vision, navigating the weighty themes with care.
The film is set to debut in theaters on October 17, 2025, followed by a streaming release on Netflix on November 7, 2025, making it accessible to a broad audience eager for del Toro’s unique take on this classic tale.
Significance and Future Impact of del Toro’s Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein film stands as a milestone in his career, synthesizing his lifelong fascination with the grotesque, the supernatural, and the deeply human. The film’s lavish visuals and profound thematic inquiries make it both a tribute to and a reinvention of the Frankenstein mythos.
While its weighty tone may challenge some audiences, the film’s passionate exploration of creation, destruction, and redemption is poised to inspire discussion and analysis among cinephiles and scholars. As del Toro weaves his personal and artistic legacy into this story, Frankenstein is destined to hold a lasting place in horror and Gothic cinema.
