Writer/Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elrodi and Mia Goth
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
When it comes to the greatest books written about monsters which shine, it’s worth discussing “Frankenstein”. Since its publication in 1818, Mary Shelley’s book has stood the test of time as a world-famous fantasy classic. From a personal point-of-view, I find themes of the book easy to relate to. At an early age, I developed strong bonds with a grandmother that was fascinated with frightening vampires that cause damage. She would always express admiration for an alien creature that she felt deserved appreciation. Shining a bright light in darkness, Frankenstein always contributed towards her happiness. Drawn towards shape of water, she appreciated creatures showcasing terror. She would frequently marvel in astonishment at a creature made by accident in an experiment. Like Victor Frankenstein, she took keen interest in monsters she considered divine. I recall with nostalgia spending every summer discussing the monster with my grandma in Canada. Even when she got diagnosed with Cancer, my grandmother never lost interests in creatures she would treasure. She had lifelong love for a tale about a beautiful beast that never ceased. Her dream that she spoke about fondly was to one day see her favourite monster depicted in a movie. However, death affected my grandmother’s love for the iconic monster. Cancer brought my grandmother’s love for Frankenstein to closure. When she passed away, my grandmother never got a chance to see her favourite monster celebrated in every way. Following her passing, I lost interest in a monster I no longer found engaging. Death of a grandmother that loved Frankenstein dearly caused misery. Facing pain, my family struggled to come to grips with sad loss of a relative that left us with tears in the rain. Years later, I honour an iconic monster that has become a sad reminder of my grandmother.
As someone treasuring a grandmother that appreciated Frankenstein, I loved “Frankenstein”. Released in 2025, Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film honours the iconic monster. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s a strong period piece. At the centre of it all is Oscar Isaac, who embodies the charismatic creator of a monster. Although “Frankenstein” is riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s overlong, and suffers from an ambiguous ending. Nevertheless, it offers riveting entertainment for fans of the monster.
Based on the classic book, “Frankenstein” tells the story of a monster facing a decline. Oscar Isaac portrays Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious scientist with goals. Frankenstein’s dreams come true when he creates the creature (Jacob Elrodi). However, what appears to be an innocent creature soon turns into a disaster when it becomes a monster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Frankenstein struggles to control his frightening monster.
Guillermo Del Toro is fascinated with monsters facing sorrow. His award-winning film “Pan’s Labyrinth” captured curious children exploring a fantastical labyrinth. With “Frankenstein”, however, Del Toro created his first ever monster remake. It was the filmmaker’s attempt celebrating a monster’s legacy but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Del Toro captures a scientist’s journey creating a monster causing catastrophe. Evoking “The Shape of Water”, Del Toro effectively uses montages to capture bonds between a creator and his creature. For instance, montages elevate the training scene. During this memorable scene, Victor Frankenstein trains his creature on how to speak words. It brought back fond memories of my bond with a grandma that appreciated Frankenstein as an iconic creature. Montages are tricky techniques. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” suggested, montages elevate great science-fiction epics. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Del Toro captures tensions that creators of creatures are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Frankenstein” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film features stunning visuals that demand to be seen on the big-screen. Del Toro has always excelled at using practical effects in his movies to create monsters, and “Frankenstein” showcased his strengths as a director. Evoking Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, Del Toro effectively uses practical effects creating a monster that’s frightening. For instance, practical effects elevate the house burning sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Frankenstein abandons creatures in his burning house. It reminded me of my grandmother’s resentment losing interest in Frankenstein after reaching age of retirement. Through practical effects, Del Toro creates a monster that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s score contributes to success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing creatures evoking fear. Through phenomenal production, Del Toro captures a monster’s creation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Frankenstein” is a monster movie that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture tension that the creator of monstrous creatures is facing. Evoking Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins”, Del Toro uses flashbacks to capture Frankenstein’s traumatic childhood losing his mother. For instance, flashbacks elevate the mother death scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Frankenstein experiences grief as a child when he isn’t able to prevent his mother’s death. Through flashbacks, Del Toro creates captivating portraits of monsters audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” suggested, flashbacks elevate commemorated psychological horror movies. As Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs” proved, flashbacks elevate serial killer movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Del Toro honours a commemorated monster that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Oscar Isaac delivers one of his best performances as Victor Frankenstein. Isaac achieved appreciation for playing criminals in crime dramas. With “Frankenstein”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the legendary creator of a monster but he succeeded tremendously. Evoking Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, Isaac embodies the charismatic creator of a monstrous creature. With riveting expressions, he embodies the angst, desperation and resentment of a scientist that creates a monster causing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Oscar Isaac, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of appreciation. Jacob Elrodi is extraordinary, capturing humanity of a monstrous creature seeking to discover identity. Mia Goth is magnificent, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a monster in a doomed romance causing a dilemma. Lastly, Christoph Waltz merits recognition. As an ambitious scientist, he is unforgettable.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Frankenstein” can’t quite honour a legendary monster with eyes that shine. if there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Del Toro’s decision to integrate romantic subplots into the movie is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Frankenstein’s love affair aren’t as engaging as his relationship with his creature. As Bill Condon’s “Beauty and the Beast” demonstrated, romantic subplots elevate commemorated Disney remakes. Moreover, the film lacks an engaging ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards satisfying resolution. At worst, it merely seems like the setup for a future sequel. Whereas this ending elevated Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining, it clashes with the realistic tone of this movie. Therefore, “Frankenstein” can’t quite honour a commemorated monster that’s divine.
Nevertheless, fans of the iconic monster will definitely appreciate “Frankenstein” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting creature blockbuster, it honours a legendary monster evoking terror.
Centuries following the fantastic introduction of Frankenstein, it’s a riveting reminder that stories of frightening monsters that shine are worth telling in unforgettable movies in which audience interest has rarely ever begun to decline.
As powerful as Frankenstein’s desires to create a monster, it has motivated me to move on several years after the heartbreaking death of a commemorated grandmother suffering from Cancer that appreciated the creature whose inspirational words of wisdom motivated me to achieve my lifelong dreams of being a writer.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 