Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, a film blending body horror, gothic romanticism, and period detail, draws heavily on visual inspiration from several unique London museums. To build the film’s immersive world, del Toro and production designer Tamara Deverell visited these sites for authentic references, enriching the story’s 19th-century setting while capturing the science and mystique that define the movie’s atmosphere.
Discovering Historical Inspiration at Sir John Soane’s Museum
Among the London museums that shaped the film, Sir John Soane’s Museum stands out as a treasure trove of ancient artifacts and architectural wonders. Housed in a Georgian townhouse, the museum’s extensive collection ranges from Egyptian antiquities to Roman sculptures, creating a vivid visual overload that sparked creativity. Tamara Deverell explains,
“Guillermo told me to go there, and everything about it was inspiring.”
The museum’s layered historical vibe offers an indispensable backdrop for the film’s detailed aesthetic.
Scientific Artifacts and Anatomy at the Hunterian Museum
The Hunterian Museum, located in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and operated by the Royal College of Surgeons, provided key scientific references for Victor Frankenstein’s laboratory. Its 18th-century surgical collections, including the original 17th-century Evelyn table displayed in the film, lent authenticity to the character’s tools and experimental equipment. Deverell recalls,
“They had all this surgical equipment, photos, etchings and engravings from Dr Frankenstein’s time period. We visited two days before the museum reopened after a renovation and we saw them putting out all the pickled body parts in jars – it was fantastic.”
This blend of macabre and historical science deeply influenced the film’s realistic yet eerie lab setting.
Architectural Grandeur and Industrial History at Crossness Pumping Station
Crossness Pumping Station in Abbey Wood, a Victorian-era sewage treatment plant, contributed architectural inspiration for the movie’s visual storytelling. This site had previously appeared in a different Frankenstein adaptation and is admired for its grand high-arched windows decorated with circular motifs. Tamara Deverell shares,
“I fell in love with its high-arched windows that have a circle motif that I knew Guillermo would love – I used those in Victor’s lab.”
Though the location still functions as a treatment plant and has a strong odor, its historic section offers priceless design elements that helped bring the film’s setting to life.
The Historic Atmosphere of Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields
Dennis Severs’ House, a Georgian terrace converted into a living historical exhibit by Californian anglo-phile Dennis Severs in 1979, inspired aspects of the film’s color scheme, textures, and period ambiance. This Grade II-listed home preserves a fictional Huguenot family’s lifestyle through rich Victorian and Georgian artifacts. Deverell describes the influence:
“I loved some of the tones, the ambience, the plaster and wood textures, and the use of draped fabrics in the house.”
The house’s quiet, atmospheric spaces helped shape the film’s detailed and textured historical world.
Naval Inspiration from the Cutty Sark and Tall Ship Glenlee
The design of Frankenstein’s frozen ship, The Horisont, took visual cues from two historic vessels: London’s Cutty Sark and Glasgow’s Tall Ship Glenlee. Deverell studied these ships closely to capture the intricate details of wooden decks, masts, sails, and brass fittings. She notes,
“I spent some time at the Cutty Sark, and I visited the Tall Ship Glenlee in Glasgow in April 2023. It was so helpful to see the details of wood decking, masts and sails, and brass fittings. I took 84 photos on that visit and we used them in designing our fictional ship.”
This maritime research translated into a richly authentic and tactile portrayal of the ship in the film.
When and Where to Watch Frankenstein
The film is currently available for viewing worldwide on Netflix, offering audiences the chance to explore the rich creative influences drawn from these London-based museums. For viewers inspired by the film’s stunning production design, visiting these locations provides additional insight into the historical and scientific discoveries that influenced Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein museums.
As del Toro’s Frankenstein continues to draw attention as a potential Oscar nominee for its design excellence, these site visits reveal the deep care invested in crafting a believable and immersive world. The collaboration between historical preservation and cinematic imagination showcases how museums can fuel modern storytelling with echoes of the past.
