Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein departs significantly from Mary Shelley’s original novel, presenting a version that shifts certain core elements while preserving the story’s fundamental themes. Released on Netflix, the film reframes Victor Frankenstein’s journey to suit a modern perspective, offering a fresh but intense retelling that both honors and reimagines Shelley’s work.
The director, known for his unique artistic vision evident in films like The Shape of Water, infuses this adaptation with his signature style. Rather than a straightforward recreation, del Toro’s version blends traditional narrative with his imaginative storytelling, making Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein a distinct cinematic experience.
Preserving the Frame Story and the Creature’s Education
One of the most faithful elements retained from Shelley’s novel is the frame narrative featuring Victor Frankenstein’s desperate Arctic encounter. Unlike many adaptations that jump immediately to Victor’s experiment, del Toro begins and concludes with Victor near death on the ice, recounting his tale to a ship’s captain bound for the North Pole. This structure anchors the film in the original storytelling style.
Additionally, the Creature’s intellectual awakening remains a powerful moment in the film. Del Toro preserves the poignant scenes where the Creature learns to read and speak by befriending a blind old man, echoing the novel’s depiction of the monster as articulate and sensitive rather than a mindless beast. Jacob Elordi’s performance highlights this complexity, portraying the Creature’s pain when he is rejected by the old man’s family, a key aspect that del Toro emphasizes to create empathy for the monster.
This treatment gives the Creature a voice that is often diminished or lost in other versions, aligning with del Toro’s ongoing commitment to humanizing monstrous figures. However, despite retaining important narrative beats, significant portions of Shelley’s details are altered, steering the story in new directions.
Transforming Victor Frankenstein’s Age and Profession
One of the most notable divergences is the reimagining of Victor Frankenstein’s character background. Instead of the young university student from the early 19th century depicted in Shelley’s novel, del Toro’s Victor is a middle-aged surgeon based in Edinburgh during the 1850s. Recently dismissed from the Royal College of Surgeons due to his involvement in body resurrection, Victor’s profession and the period setting reflect a grittier, more historically grounded backdrop.
This shift from the University of Ingolstadt to mid-19th century Scotland places Victor in a time when grave robbing and illicit use of corpses were common in medical research, referencing real events like the Burke and Hare murders. By rooting Victor’s descent into madness within this darker social context, del Toro amplifies the character’s internal conflict and the external dangers of Victorian-era science.
The Introduction of a New Benefactor and Its Impact
Del Toro introduces an original character, Henrich Harlander, portrayed by Christoph Waltz, who serves as a wealthy arms dealer funding Victor’s experiments. This addition significantly changes the dynamic of Victor’s work, deviating from Shelley’s portrayal of a solitary scientist consumed by obsession. Instead, Victor’s research is supported by Harlander’s resources and his large, industrial-style laboratory, evoking classic mad scientist imagery.
The sponsor relationship also reshapes Victor’s personal connections in the film. Whereas the novel’s Henry Clerval, Victor’s closest friend and voice of reason, is absent or minimized in many adaptations, here his role is effectively replaced by other characters tied to Harlander. This choice aligns del Toro’s vision with familiar genre tropes of scientific patronage entwined with moral compromise.
Reconfiguring Elizabeth’s Role and Relationships
Elizabeth, traditionally depicted as Victor’s childhood friend and fiancée who tragically perishes on their wedding night, undergoes a substantial transformation. In this version, she is reimagined as Harlander’s niece and Victor’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, marking a shift in family dynamics and narrative focus.
Furthermore, Elizabeth is given her own scientific role and demonstrates sympathy towards the Creature, representing a nuanced perspective Victor lacks. Her relationship with Victor is strained and distant, adding emotional tension, while her eventual death is portrayed as a direct consequence of Victor’s hubris rather than random violence. This reworking intensifies the story’s moral complexity and lays groundwork for the film’s altered conclusion.
Ending With Redemption Rather Than Retribution
The film preserves the novel’s setting for Victor’s death aboard the rescuing ship in the Arctic but drastically changes the Creature’s fate. Instead of continuing the cycle of vengeance and destruction, del Toro’s ending presents a moment of reconciliation between creator and creation. Victor embraces the Creature in his final moments, urging him to embrace the sunlight and suggesting a release from their mutual torment.
This hopeful resolution stands in stark contrast to Shelley’s darker conclusion, emphasizing forgiveness over revenge. For audiences familiar with traditional Frankenstein narratives, this may represent a bold reinterpretation, yet it fits within del Toro’s broader thematic focus on understanding and empathizing with monsters.
The Cultural and Narrative Significance of del Toro’s Adaptation
By blending historical context, original characters, and a more grounded portrayal of science, Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein offers a tense and conflicted reimagining that wrestles with themes of humanity, ambition, and compassion. The film’s changes highlight the burden of creation and the complexities within both Victor and the Creature, appealing to viewers seeking a narrative that challenges conventional horror archetypes.
Currently streaming on Netflix, this adaptation invites discussion on how classic stories can be reshaped to reflect contemporary anxieties and artistic visions while maintaining the emotional core that has defined Frankenstein for centuries. Audiences and scholars alike may find del Toro’s Frankenstein a compelling addition to the legacy of Mary Shelley’s enduring tale.
