In Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac steps into the role of Victor Frankenstein, the driven and prideful scientist obsessively dedicated to creating life. The project, financed by the mysterious arms dealer Henrich Harlander, involves Victor harvesting body parts from various corpses to forge a new being. This Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein adaptation promises a rich Gothic atmosphere centered on Isaac’s complex character.
The Filming Experience: Practical Effects and Personal Ties
Del Toro is celebrated for his detailed production design and reliance on practical effects, which truly shines during the intense scene where Victor assembles the Creature. Isaac describes the experience as visceral and tangible, filled with
“lots of squishy bits and leaky bits.”
His portrayal held extra personal weight due to his family background.
I actually come from a family of doctors,
Oscar Isaac shared with GamesRadar+.
My dad is a doctor, his two brothers are doctors, nurses in the family… I worked in a hospital, I was a transporter in a hospital for a couple years, so I was in that a lot. And so it was interesting to kind of be back there, [in] a much more intense situation.
Del Toro’s Unique Romantic Approach to a Classic Horror Tale
Isaac highlights how Guillermo del Toro’s approach to Frankenstein diverges from traditional horror conventions. Instead of relying on clichés like dramatic lightning storms, del Toro’s presentation is deeply romantic. The moments where Victor is assembling the Creature represent his most confident and centered state.
But also the way it was approached was very romantically; it wasn’t approached like your classic kind of horror, lightning everywhere,
Isaac explained.
The making of the Creature is the place where Victor feels most confident and most at ease, and the calmest he ever is, is when he has a focused task to do in the thing that he excels at. And so to do that with Guillermo was really, really beautiful.
Collaborative Spirit on Set Enhances the Film’s Depth
Isaac notes that working with Guillermo del Toro involves being part of a highly collaborative and transparent team. Everyone engaged in the production has ownership and creative input over their contributions, fostering an environment free of secrecy or sidelining.
Everyone feels authorship over their own part and over the whole thing and everyone’s invited to bring themselves to it, so there’s no whispering in corners. Information is freely available, and I think everyone just feels completely part of the team,
he said.
Co-star Jacob Elordi, who portrays the Creature, also praises the director’s method, describing it as the most fulfilling movie–making experience he has ever had.
I felt like I was in the beating heart of what making movies is about,
Elordi remarked.
It really was the most full experience I’ve ever had making a movie.
Netflix Release Set for November 7 with Theatrical Aspirations
Frankenstein will be released exclusively on Netflix on November 7, yet both Isaac and Elordi suggest that watching the film in theaters would provide an ideal communal atmosphere for audiences. This release marks a significant addition to Netflix’s 2025 lineup, drawing attention to Guillermo del Toro’s distinctive vision for the classic tale. Fans can anticipate a blend of horror, romance, and intense character work through the combined talents of Isaac, Elordi, Waltz, and del Toro himself.
