Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel, streaming now on Netflix, dives deep into the story of Frankenstein with visually stunning craftsmanship yet encounters challenges in its acting performances. The film bridges Shelley’s early 19th-century creation with del Toro’s modern vision, exploring the themes of creation, humanity, and vengeance through a narrative set both in the Arctic and through intense flashbacks.
Plot Overview and Character Exploration
The story begins with Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Isaac, injured and stranded in the Arctic. Rescued by a Danish ship’s crew led by Captain Lars Mikkelsen, Frankenstein recounts his dramatic past. His creature, played by Jacob Elordi, meanwhile, demands to confront its creator. Through these intertwined perspectives, the film explores Frankenstein’s upbringing under the stern watch of his father, played by Charles Dance, and his ambition to surpass familial expectations through groundbreaking scientific endeavors.
Financing his experiments with the help of Heinrich Harlander, an arms dealer acted by Christoph Waltz, Frankenstein’s journey grows complicated by his growing obsession with Elizabeth, the niece of Harlander and fiancée to Frankenstein’s brother William (Felix Kammerer). Elizabeth, portrayed by Mia Goth, rejects Victor’s affections, aware of his relentless intensity.
Del Toro’s Unique Narrative and Visual Style
Del Toro’s film follows much of Shelley’s original narrative but rearranges the timeline and introduces new elements, including a Monster character imbued with near invincibility, resembling a superhero far beyond Shelley’s envisioning. The Monster also shares an unconventional relationship with Elizabeth, adding layers to the story’s emotional fabric. The film’s cinematography, set design, and special effects evoke the director’s signature style, reminiscent of his critically acclaimed works such as Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.
Acting Strengths and Weaknesses
While technical elements shine, the acting performances receive mixed reviews. Mia Goth’s portrayal of Elizabeth is seen as lacking the compelling allure necessary for the role, despite her previous successes in offbeat films like Pearl. Meanwhile, Isaac’s depiction of Victor Frankenstein suffers from overacting, which diminishes the audience’s ability to connect with the character’s motivations. In contrast, Jacob Elordi stands out with a powerful and emotionally complex performance as the Monster, skillfully conveying a wide range of feelings beneath heavy makeup that obscures his appearance.
Context and Historical Connections
The film situates itself within the long history of Frankenstein adaptations, which began famously with James Whale’s 1931 classic featuring Boris Karloff as the Monster. Del Toro’s take, however, distinguishes itself through its intense visual storytelling and expanded mythology surrounding the creature. This cinematic retelling maintains a shared trait with Shelley’s novel and many film adaptations in its unflinching depiction of graphic violence, reflected in the R rating assigned to the movie.
What This Version Adds to Frankenstein’s Legacy
Ultimately, del Toro’s Frankenstein is more reflective of the filmmaker’s imagination and stylistic tendencies than strictly an homage to Shelley’s original text. The film’s technical success contrasts with its uneven performances, especially in key roles, but offers a fresh, if complex, perspective on the profound questions about creation and morality posed by the story. Looking forward, this adaptation is likely to ignite discussions about the balance between visual innovation and narrative depth in retelling classic literature for contemporary audiences.
“As good as the British actress has been in such offbeat films as Pearl and Maxxine, she just doesn’t have the alluring screen presence needed to play Elizabeth.” ?Film Critic
“He manages here to embody his character with a full range of emotions, even under makeup that makes him virtually unrecognizable.” ?Film Reviewer
