Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: Not Your Typical Horror Movie

One of the most eagerly awaited films of 2025, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, offers a fresh adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror novel. Featuring Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as The Monster, the film debuted in August 2025 at the Venice International Film Festival, receiving generally positive feedback. This version of Frankenstein stands out by focusing not only on horror but also deeper emotional themes, highlighting del Toro’s distinctive vision.

International Premieres and Release Schedule

After its Venice debut, Frankenstein had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and was also screened at the Busan International Film Festival. The movie is set for a limited theatrical release starting October 17, aligning strategically with the Halloween season, before becoming available for streaming on Netflix from November 7. Alongside Isaac and Elordi, the cast includes Mia Goth, Ralph Ineson, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz, adding significant talent to the production.

Emphasis on Atmosphere and Emotional Depth Over Traditional Horror

Promotional trailers highlight the film’s impressive production design and carefully crafted eerie atmosphere, showcasing both sides of the story. Some critics have noted a thematic shift that reflects Guillermo del Toro’s assertion that Frankenstein is not a conventional horror movie. Del Toro himself explained on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures that,

“nominally and generically, [Frankenstein] is a horror movie,”

but

“After 30 years of making fantasy films, you know they can be something on top of that.”

Exploring Family Drama Within Gothic Horror

Del Toro further elaborated on the emotional core of the movie, sharing,

“And I think this is a family drama in many ways. It’s about the very Catholic notion of fathers and sons, and the pain that we transmit from one to the next generation. So, there’s that sort of level of emotion. After 200 years, for the book and the story to still provoke compassion and fear of crossing a boundary, those are things I think we innovated in a beautiful way.”

This interpretation moves the narrative beyond simple horror, highlighting complex relationships and generational trauma at its heart.

Father-Son Relationship at the Story’s Core

The dynamic between Frankenstein and his creation has been viewed as a father-son metaphor for some time, and the latest trailer reinforces this with The Monster narrating his feelings of abandonment and rejection. While the film’s marketing still contains elements typical to classic horror, del Toro’s focus on this emotional link seeks to deepen the audience’s engagement with the characters’ struggles.

Innovative Approach to a Well-Worn Story

Having adapted a novel that has been reimagined repeatedly over two centuries, the film’s success depends on introducing new perspectives. Critics like Jack Wlaters of ScreenRant praise the compelling chemistry between Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, which drives the story’s emotional themes. Del Toro questions the traditional rules of horror storytelling, aiming to weave in themes that resonate with many people’s lived experiences, though critical reception remains mixed. Ultimately, fans will determine how this version of Frankenstein is remembered.