Guillermo del Toro, the Oscar-winning filmmaker, is set to release his long-anticipated film Frankenstein in select theaters on October 17, followed by a Netflix streaming premiere on November 7. As the movie draws near, del Toro reflects on the end of a defining phase in his career and contemplates a fresh, unexpected path forward, signaling a notable shift in his creative journey.
A Defining Cycle in Del Toro’s Film Career Comes to an End
In a recent interview with Empire, del Toro explained that Frankenstein represents the culmination of a particular cycle in his work. He described this film as the final piece in a progression that began with earlier projects like Cronos, The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Crimson Peak. This sequence, he says, showcases an evolving aesthetic style and narrative rhythm that expresses deep empathy.
If you look at the lineage, from Cronos to The Devil’s Backbone, to Pan’s Labyrinth to Crimson Peak to this, this is an evolution of a certain type of aesthetic, and a certain type of rhythm, and a certain type of empathy.
— Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
Despite his clear attachment to this creative cycle, del Toro openly shares that he is eager for change.
I feel like I need a change,
he admitted, acknowledging a desire to explore something very different from his recent works.
Still, the filmmaker remains open to possibilities, adding,
You never know. The day after tomorrow, I may want to do Jekyll & Hyde, or whatever. But right now, my desire is to try and do something very different.
Frankenstein: A Lifelong Passion Project and Creative Milestone
Frankenstein has been a deeply personal project for del Toro, one he has pursued for over 25 years. His fascination with the story began in childhood, inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic novel and the legendary portrayal of the creature by Boris Karloff.
This is, for me, the culmination of a journey that has occupied most of my life. I first read Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein as a kid and saw Boris Karloff in what became for me an almost religious state. Monsters have become my personal belief system,
del Toro revealed at Netflix’s Tudum event.
This theme of monsters and humanity repeatedly appears throughout del Toro’s filmography, connecting works like Cronos, Blade, Hellboy, and Pinocchio. These stories delve into complex relationships—creator and creation, father and son—a narrative strand that has profoundly influenced his storytelling.
There are strands of Frankenstein throughout my films — Cronos, Blade, Hellboy, big time on Pinocchio, and a long, long et cetera. Exploring the relationship between humanity and monsters, creator and creation, father and son, has consumed my stories again and again,
del Toro explained.
I wanted to make this film before even I had a camera, and I’ve been actively pursuing it now for over 25 years. It has grown so close to me that now it’s biography.
The Future of Guillermo del Toro’s Creative Vision
The release of Frankenstein not only marks the conclusion of a significant era for del Toro but also raises intriguing questions about the direction his future projects will take. His openness to exploring new themes and styles suggests that the Guillermo del Toro future could bring unexpected innovations that challenge his established artistic rhythms. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how this visionary filmmaker will evolve beyond the familiar stories of monsters and myth.
