Guillermo del Toro’s latest film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was released on Netflix, starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature. While the film honors the essence of Shelley’s classic Gothic novel, it diverges from the original story in several significant ways, reflecting del Toro’s unique vision and storytelling style.
The movie reimagines key plot points and character relationships to create a fresh narrative that differs substantially from Shelley’s 200-year-old book, marking an intense and nuanced retelling for modern audiences.
Exclusion of Victor’s Closest Friend, Henry Clerval
One of the most notable changes in del Toro’s film is the removal of Henry Clerval, Victor Frankenstein’s best friend from the novel. In the original story, Henry serves as a kind and loyal counterpart to Victor’s prideful nature and plays an important emotional role. His presence helps illuminate aspects of Victor’s personality and ultimately becomes pivotal when the Creature kills him near the novel’s end. The absence of Henry in the film eliminates this dynamic, streamlining Victor’s interpersonal relationships.
A Different Romance: Elizabeth’s Role and Relationships Shift
The film introduces a significant change in the romantic subplot involving Elizabeth, portrayed by Mia Goth. Unlike the book, where Elizabeth is Victor’s fiancée, the movie positions her as engaged to Victor’s younger brother, William. Although Victor admires Elizabeth and harbors feelings for her, she clearly rejects his advances after he mistreats the Creature. This alteration reshapes the emotional context surrounding both Elizabeth and Victor, deepening the tension between the characters.
The Creature’s Victims in the Film Differ From the Novel
The film presents the Creature with a more sympathetic portrayal, reducing the level of violence associated with his actions. In Mary Shelley’s original, the Creature murders William Frankenstein and frames the family servant Justine, who is wrongfully convicted and executed. Elizabeth is later killed by the Creature on her wedding night. In contrast, del Toro’s version spares William and Elizabeth from murder. Elizabeth’s death on her wedding night occurs indirectly, caught in the conflict rather than being targeted by the Creature, which softens the Creature’s depiction as a cold-blooded killer.
The Absent Creation of a Female Companion
Another key divergence lies in the Creature’s request for a female companion. In the novel, following William’s death, the Creature pleads with Victor to create a female partner to alleviate his loneliness, a demand Victor initially accepts but later abandons, fearing their potential offspring. This leads the Creature to retaliate by killing Henry Clerval. The film, however, omits this subplot entirely: the Creature’s demand occurs briefly on William and Elizabeth’s wedding night but is firmly denied by Victor, and the storyline around building a female creature is never developed.
Final Confrontation Between Victor and the Creature Differs
Both the novel and the film use the Arctic as a setting framing the narrative. In Mary Shelley’s work, Victor recounts his tragic tale to a ship’s captain before dying, and the Creature arrives only afterward, preventing a direct confrontation between them. Del Toro’s adaptation alters this timing, allowing the Creature to confront Victor while he is still alive. In this pivotal scene, Victor expresses regret for how he has treated the Creature, adding emotional complexity to their relationship and providing a dialogue-driven climax absent from the book.
Why These Changes Matter in Del Toro’s Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein uses these modifications to explore themes of empathy, loneliness, and responsibility from a fresh perspective, framing the Creature as a tortured, sympathetic figure rather than solely a monster. The removal of certain characters and changes to relationships intensify the personal drama and add emotional weight to Victor’s journey and ultimate downfall.
This adaptation highlights del Toro’s trademark blend of gothic horror and human emotion, contributing to the evolving legacy of Frankenstein in popular culture. The film’s distinct choices invite viewers to reconsider the original story’s moral questions and character motivations while providing a gripping, tense experience.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering audiences a new lens through which to engage with this timeless tale.
“A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation”
– Frankenstein review
“Netflix drops new trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, teasing Jacob Elordi’s Creature on a violent, vengeful quest to find Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein”
“New poster for Netflix’s Frankenstein gives us our best look yet at Jacob Elordi’s freaky and fleshy monster – and I’m ready for Guillermo del Toro’s next gothic horror”
