Film Review: Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is perhaps the most faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel to date. And while it doesn’t follows every page, instead it it captures the novel’s soul.

This version is both terrifying and mesmerising to watch. Del Toro has always been a master of dark beauty, but here he shows surprising restraint. Instead of overwhelming us with ornate visuals, as he did in Hellboy II, he lets the atmosphere serve the story. The gothic sets, detailed costumes and rich cinematography still carry his unmistakable touch, but they never distract from what truly matters: the tragedy at the heart of Shelley’s tale.

We all know the story. Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, defies death and crosses into divine territory by creating life from death. His creation, the Creature, is portrayed by Jacob Elordi, and surprisingly he’s the heart of the film. Elordi brings unexpected tenderness to the role, his expressive eyes contrasting with the physical bulk and scars of the monster. It’s a casting choice that works beautifully.

Del Toro’s version runs for two and a half hours and allows the book’s many themes to breathe: the burden of creation, the loneliness of existence, the moral boundaries of science and the destructive pursuit of knowledge. Both Victor and the creature are victims of isolation and their intertwined fates are handled with precision and compassion.

The pacing feels deliberate but never slow. Whether through intense performances, striking visuals or an epic score, the film always has something to hold your attention. Del Toro also streamlines the novel’s nested storytelling structure, instead telling the narrative through both Victor’s and the creature’s perspectives. This approach adds emotional depth and constant momentum, making the story more human.

It’s also unmistakably del Toro. Poetic, sorrowful and hauntingly beautiful. And while it stands as one of his most faithful adaptations, it’s also one of his most personal. Without revealing too much, there’s a creative flourish in the final act that firmly stamps this film as his own.

If you preferred The Shape of Water more than Hellboy, this will be your kind of film. Frankenstein is among Guillermo del Toro’s finest works, right alongside Pan’s Labyrinth.

Absolutely worth watching on the big screen and again and again when it lands on Netflix.