Guillermo del Toro’s long-anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein premiered in 2024, bringing his signature blend of haunting beauty and emotional depth to this classic tale. Set partly in Toronto where filming took place, the movie explores the timeless themes of creation, identity, and rejection while showcasing del Toro’s distinct vision for one of literature’s most iconic monsters.
A Passion Project Rooted in Childhood and Personal Reflection
From a young age, Guillermo del Toro was captivated by the Frankenstein story, which resonated deeply with his Catholic upbringing and shaped his artistic sensibilities. He credits seeing Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the Creature as a formative influence:
“That’s the Jesus I’m gonna follow,”
del Toro said, highlighting the profound spiritual and emotional connection he felt. For decades, del Toro has grappled with themes of faith, science, family, and monstrosity—elements central to both the original novel and his own cinematic interpretation.
After years of developing the project, the filmmaker finally felt prepared to realize his vision, bringing veteran actors Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi on board to play Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, respectively. Production began in early 2024 in Toronto, a city del Toro affectionately considers his second home. The film subsequently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning the runner-up position for the People’s Choice Award, a testament to his enduring appeal and the film’s craftsmanship.
Del Toro’s adaptation stays largely faithful to Shelley’s 1818 novel, maintaining the Arctic framing narrative and Gothic atmosphere while emphasizing Victor’s immediate rejection of his creation. The story’s focus leans toward the Creature’s perspective, inviting viewers to empathize more with the monster than with his creator. This approach aligns with the director’s established reputation for portraying creatures who are both physically imposing and emotionally complex, blurring the lines between horror and beauty.
Visuals and Performances Elevate the Film’s Emotional Core
The film’s production design is a highlight, blending ornate Victorian aesthetics with macabre and grotesque elements to create a rich, immersive world. Del Toro’s ability to balance the horrific and the beautiful is evident in the detailed sets, costumes, and creature design, differentiating this Frankenstein from previous cinematic iterations focused on camp or caricature.
Jacob Elordi’s performance as the Creature is pivotal to the film’s emotional success. Standing 6’5”, Elordi physically embodies the monster’s imposing presence, yet it is his portrayal of the Creature’s journey—from vulnerable infancy to self-awareness—that anchors the story. His nuanced acting invites audiences to see the monster as a deeply feeling being, rather than a mere horror figure.
Oscar Isaac delivers a capable performance as Victor Frankenstein, convincingly depicting the ambitious scientist. However, the character lacks the emotional depth expected, coming across as somewhat one-dimensional. This simplification undermines the story’s intended exploration of the disconnect between outward appearance and inner humanity, as Frankenstein’s surface grandeur contrasts with a less compelling inner narrative.
Narrative Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities
While many viewers will find the film satisfying, particularly during seasonal screenings or on Netflix where it will debut November 7, it falls short of defining itself as del Toro’s definitive work. The film’s structure divides the narrative into two parts: the first from Victor’s viewpoint and the second from the Creature’s perspective. However, this format is hindered by a slow pace in the opening hour, partly due to new characters and altered storylines that dilute the storytelling momentum.
Among these new elements, Charles Dance portrays Victor’s stern father, adding a cold, authoritarian presence though this character shift from the book does little to deepen Victor’s motivations. Christoph Waltz plays Henrich Harlander, Victor’s benefactor, and uncle to Elizabeth, who is reimagined here as the obsessive and occult-inclined fiancée of Victor’s brother William, played by Felix Kammerer. Unfortunately, many supporting roles, including Elizabeth and William, remain underdeveloped, serving mostly as narrative devices rather than fully realized characters.
The screenplay’s greatest flaw lies in its overt literalness. The story’s central message, distilled on promotional posters as “Only Monsters Play God,” is stated explicitly through characters’ narration and dialogue, leaving little for audiences to interpret or discover. This lack of subtlety contrasts with del Toro’s usual style, which often relies on evocative imagery and metaphor, allowing his thematic concerns to emerge naturally without heavy exposition.
During festival Q&A sessions, del Toro reflected on the differences between himself and Mary Shelley, who crafted Frankenstein at a young age with a sense of unbound creativity and wonder. He acknowledged that while the story remains powerful, his mature perspective revisits the tale with technical mastery but also a degree of constraint. Like Victor Frankenstein, del Toro was driven by the question of whether he could realize this adaptation, regardless of whether he should, resulting in a film that is impressive yet somewhat conflicted in its ambitions.
What Frankenstein’s Legacy Means for Del Toro and Audiences
Though Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein may not reach the iconic status of his earlier works such as Pan’s Labyrinth or The Shape of Water, it remains a carefully crafted, visually striking film that adds a new chapter to the legacy of Frankenstein adaptations. Its strengths lie in the sympathetic portrayal of the Creature and the meticulous artistic detail, while its weaknesses highlight the challenges of revisiting a deeply familiar narrative with fresh eyes.
As the film becomes more widely available through Netflix after its limited theatrical run, it will offer audiences a chance to reconsider a story that has fascinated generations. For fans of del Toro’s work and monster cinema alike, this film embodies both the creative beauty and the inherent difficulties in retelling a beloved classic, marking a significant—if imperfect—achievement in the director’s distinguished career.
