Guillermo del Toro‘s Frankenstein, a captivating reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, has finally arrived, featuring a remarkable cast led by Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. The film made its debut at the Venice International Film Festival and will be available on Netflix starting November 7, 2025, showcasing del Toro’s signature blend of gothic and fairy tale elements.
Oscar Isaac Portrays Victor Frankenstein, the Ambitious Scientist
Oscar Isaac takes on the role of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but arrogant scientist obsessed with conquering death and achieving immortality through his controversial experiments. His relentless pursuit causes him to fall out of favor in academic circles and leads to dire consequences when his creation spirals beyond his control. Isaac described his character as
“a misunderstood artist, and that fuels him to provoke,”
adding that Victor walks into his laboratory with “punk rock energy,” visualizing it as a stage rather than just a workspace.
Isaac is no stranger to complex characters, having featured in notable franchises such as Star Wars as Poe Dameron and Dune as Duke Leto Atreides. His dramatic range is evident in films like Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex Machina, and Annihilation, as well as in the series Moon Knight and Show Me a Hero. His forthcoming role in Netflix’s Beef season two, co-starring Carey Mulligan, continues to build anticipation for his dynamic performances.
Jacob Elordi Embodies the Creature’s Journey of Identity
Jacob Elordi steps into the shoes of the Creature, Victor’s monstrous creation composed of parts from soldiers and criminals and animated by electricity. This character undertakes a profound path of self-realization, displaying more humanity than his creator. Elordi underwent extensive makeup sessions, spending up to 10 hours becoming the iconic figure, and explained that the Creature was
“a vessel that I could put every part of myself into… He’s more me than I am.”
The actor first gained widespread attention through Netflix’s The Kissing Booth trilogy alongside Joey King and earned critical praise as Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria. He also portrayed Elvis Presley in Priscilla and Felix Catton in Saltburn, a Golden Globe-nominated film. Elordi is set to star in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, acting opposite Margot Robbie.
Mia Goth in Dual Roles as Elizabeth Harlander and Claire Frankenstein
Mia Goth portrays Lady Elizabeth Harlander, the fiancée of William Frankenstein who becomes entangled in a tense love triangle involving Victor and the Creature, displaying sympathy toward the monster. Goth also plays Claire Frankenstein, the brothers’ mother who died during childbirth. Elizabeth’s compassion places her at the heart of the film’s emotional conflicts.
Known for her roles in the X horror series by Ti West, Goth has earned the reputation of a modern scream queen, also appearing in Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, A Cure for Wellness, and Infinity Pool. Her resume includes Nymphomaniac and Emma, and she is set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter.
Felix Kammerer as William Frankenstein, the Respected Younger Brother
Felix Kammerer plays William Frankenstein, Victor’s estranged younger brother favored by their father, Baron Leopold Frankenstein. This favoritism fuels Victor’s jealousy and ambition. William’s arrival with his fiancée Elizabeth complicates Victor’s emotions, adding tension to family dynamics.
Kammerer gained acclaim starring as Paul Bäumer in the Academy Award-winning All Quiet on the Western Front. He followed this with the historical thriller Eden, acting alongside Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney, further cementing his rising profile before joining this Guillermo del Toro project.
Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander, Shadowy Financier of Dark Experiments
Christoph Waltz embodies Henrich Harlander, an affluent and ruthless arms manufacturer who supports Victor’s macabre scientific endeavors. Harlander is also Elizabeth’s manipulative uncle with hidden motives for resurrecting the dead. Waltz’s career includes standout villainous roles in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, both directed by Quentin Tarantino, earning him two Academy Awards.
Waltz’s collaborations with acclaimed directors such as Tim Burton, Alexander Payne, and Wes Anderson demonstrate his versatility. His notable roles include Ernst Stavro Blofeld in James Bond films Spectre and No Time to Die. He continues in the horror genre with an upcoming part as the Priest in Dracula: A Love Tale.
Charles Dance as Baron Leopold Frankenstein, the Stern Patriarch
Charles Dance portrays Baron Leopold Frankenstein, the cold, strict father of Victor and William, whose harsh upbringing sowed the seeds of rivalry between the brothers. This figure’s authoritative presence and medical career heavily influenced Victor’s dark journey. Dance reprised this role after previously playing the character in a 2015 adaptation of Frankenstein.
Dance’s distinguished career spans film and television, with memorable performances as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, Lord Mountbatten in The Crown, and roles in The Imitation Game and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. His recent work includes the drama miniseries Washington Black and the upcoming black-and-white romantic comedy Ladies First with Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike.
Lars Mikkelsen Arrives as Captain Anderson, a Cold Arctic Witness
Lars Mikkelsen appears as Captain Anderson, a leader on an Arctic expedition who discovers the frostbitten Victor Frankenstein trapped in ice. During the rescue, Captain Anderson listens to Victor’s chilling recount of the Creature’s story, which reaches a terrifying climax when the monster confronts its creator aboard the ship.
Mikkelsen is well known for his roles as Troels Hartmann in The Killing, Charles Augustus Magnussen in Sherlock, and Viktor Petrov in House of Cards. He has also gained recognition in popular series such as The Witcher and Ahsoka, for which he received a Critics’ Choice Super Award nomination for Best Villain in a series.
David Bradley as the Blind Man, a Beacon of Kindness and Learning
David Bradley plays the Blind Man, who befriends the Creature after the monster escapes into the wilderness. The Blind Man imparts kindness and teaches the Creature to read and speak English, offering a moment of humanity amid the Creature’s isolation. This relationship is a pivotal element of the Creature’s emotional development.
Bradley is a veteran actor with roles including Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films, Walder Frey in Game of Thrones, and Abraham Setrakian in The Strain. Frankenstein marks his second collaboration with del Toro, who previously cast him as the voice of Gepetto in the Oscar-winning Pinocchio. His diverse career also features appearances in Hot Fuzz, The World’s End, and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
Frankenstein’s Premiere and Upcoming Availability
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein received an enthusiastic response following its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, with critics praising its striking visuals, innovative interpretation of the classic story, and outstanding performances, especially Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the Creature. The film is currently in limited theatrical release and will officially launch on Netflix on November 7, 2025, offering audiences worldwide a chance to experience this dark fantasy saga.
This adaptation revitalizes Mary Shelley’s original work with a fresh perspective, deepening the psychological complexity of the characters and the moral questions surrounding creation and responsibility. The impressive ensemble cast, led by Oscar Isaac’s charismatic Victor Frankenstein and Elordi’s heartrending Creature, promises to captivate both longtime fans and new viewers, solidifying del Toro’s reputation as a master storyteller in the realm of gothic and fantasy cinema.
