Guillermo del Toro’s Adaptation of Frankenstein: Worth the Effort?
It’s tough to think of a tale that’s been reimagined as often as Frankenstein in Hollywood. Countless adaptations exist, yet the iconic 1931 version featuring Boris Karloff still seems to stand out. But, do we really need another retelling?
Apparently, Guillermo del Toro believes we do.
If there’s anyone capable of putting a unique spin on Frankenstein, it’s Del Toro, the creative force behind works like Pan’s Labyrinth. He has a history with both monsters—like in his Best Picture winner The Shape of Water—and horror, as seen in Crimson Peak. Still, his latest two-and-a-half-hour exploration of Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic classic raises the question: was this reboot truly necessary?
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The film kicks off in the Arctic in 1857, with a ship stuck in ice, bound for the North Pole. The crew rescues a gravely injured Victor Frankenstein (played by Oscar Isaac) but is unaware that next to him lies The Creature (Jacob Elordi), a towering figure whose strength proves alarmingly overpowering to the sailors.
As Frankenstein and Captain Anderson (Lars Mikkelsen) secure their ship against The Creature, Frankenstein recounts his life, raised by a cold father who pushed him toward medicine. Following his mother’s death at childbirth, the young Frankenstein shifts his father’s affections toward his brother William.
Fast-forwarding a few years, the now-arrogant Frankenstein faces backlash from his medical peers after his attempt to revive a corpse is dismissed as a mere “carnival act.” Amid the ridicule, he finds an ally in Henrich Hallander (Christoph Waltz), a suave arms dealer who offers to fund his work. Also, there’s Frankenstein’s estranged brother William (Felix Kammerer), who is engaged to Hallander’s niece, Elizabeth (Mia Goth), and it’s clear Victor harbors feelings for her.
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In their abandoned tower-turned-laboratory, Frankenstein gathers bodies of executed criminals and soldiers from the Crimean War, hoping to create new life. When he brings his creature to life using electrical currents during a storm, the iconic “It’s alive!” moment isn’t quite there to greet us.
Initially astonished by his creation, Victor soon grows impatient when The Creature only manages to learn his name. However, a budding connection forms between the creature and Elizabeth after she and William unexpectedly drop by. Misguided by his frustration, Victor later sets the tower ablaze, mistakenly believing the creature to be dead.
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Back on the ship, The Creature finds Captain Anderson, allowing for a storytelling switch to the captain’s past, detailing his own growth thanks to a blind man’s kindness and his subsequent pursuit of Frankenstein.
The performances, especially those of Isaac, Waltz, and Goth, shine through. Elordi, mostly known from Saltburn and HBO’s Euphoria, faces a greater challenge with The Creature’s role. His portrayal injects a surprising depth into this legendary being.
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As with previous adaptations, the film explores whether humans can truly play God—a theme that might not yield the expected answers. If Del Toro seeks to tell a well-known story anew, he has a key task: to evoke our empathy. Unfortunately, his efforts don’t fully connect.
Regardless, Del Toro’s Frankenstein is visually captivating, showcasing intricate production design, elegant costumes, stunning visuals, and impressive makeup, complemented by a stirring score from Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat.
Verdict:
Del Toro delivers a lush, straightforward take on the horror classic, treating it like a fairy tale. While the production quality is exceptional and the entertainment value is solid, this remake may not resonate with audiences as profoundly as Karloff’s version did nearly a century ago.
★★★ — Stream Later
Frankenstein is rated R for its intense violence and graphic visuals. Running time: 2 hours 29 minutes. Available for streaming on Netflix and in select theaters on November 7, 2025.
