Oscar Isaac expresses immense enthusiasm for collaborating with Guillermo del Toro on the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein, describing it as the most enjoyable experience of his career. This film, a follow-up to del Toro’s acclaimed Pinocchio (2022), delivers a faithful rendition of Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 novel.
Isaac portrays Victor Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi cast as The Creature. The movie also stars Christoph Waltz and Mia Goth, and premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in August, where it received positive critical acclaim.
Isaac Praises the Excitement and Joy on Set
While critics applauded Frankenstein’s premiere, Isaac reveals that the process of making the film was equally rewarding. Speaking to SFX Magazine, Isaac declared,
“It was the most f*cking fun I’ve ever had in my life.”
He credits the practical sets and Guillermo del Toro’s infectious passion for creating a unique and exhilarating environment during filming.
Isaac elaborated on the intense yet spirited atmosphere on set, saying,
“Running around in the rain, up and down steps, this Christ-like thing on a crucifix and Guillermo in the corner, screaming! It was hard to fathom that it was actually happening. It’s such dark material, but was approached with so much joy. Like 14 year olds had keys to the kingdom – it had that kind of energy to it.”
Del Toro’s Vision Finds Favor with Critics
Frankenstein will begin a limited theatrical release on October 17, followed by a debut on Netflix starting November 7. Early critical responses signal that the lively atmosphere on set translated well into the final film, which honors Shelley’s original story with fidelity.
The film currently holds an 81% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 88 reviews, reflecting generally favorable opinions. Reviews often highlight the detailed set design and Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of The Monster as standout elements. Jack Walters of Screen Rant awarded the film a 7 out of 10, commenting on its visual creativity and effective screenplay.
Walters observed,
“The quality of production and level of visual creativity is staggering, and the screenplay has the perfect blend of poetic prose and natural dialogue to walk the line between the Victorian source material and the modern-day audience.”
Del Toro has long considered a Frankenstein adaptation a personal milestone, calling it his “Mount Everest” in a Variety interview. Netflix reportedly backed the project with a $120 million budget, underscoring the director’s commitment to this ambitious venture.
Despite the early critical praise, there remains uncertainty about how mainstream audiences will respond. Del Toro’s previous live-action film, Nightmare Alley (2021), received a moderate 68% Popcornmeter score and achieved only $39 million in global box office receipts, indicating his style does not always connect with wider viewers.
Potential for Future Collaborations Between Isaac and del Toro
Frankenstein marks the first collaboration between Oscar Isaac and Guillermo del Toro, and Isaac’s remarks suggest a strong mutual enthusiasm for working together again. Although del Toro’s upcoming projects include a stop-motion film titled The Buried Giant, his next live-action film remains undecided.
Meanwhile, Isaac is slated to appear in the second season of Beef and is expected to return as the voice of Miguel O’Hara in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Given Isaac’s positive experiences, future joint projects with del Toro could well be on the horizon.
Principal Cast Members of Frankenstein
Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in the film.
Jacob Elordi plays the role of The Monster, bringing a notable presence to the adaptation.
