Guillermo del Toro has always wanted to do a Frankenstein movie. The Mexican director’s love of the original novel is well known. Now with the backing of Netflix, Guillermo del Toro takes his shot and does the absolute most with it. Frankenstein is a grand, operatic, yet personal adaptation of the original Mary Shelley novel.
Right from the start, Guillermo del Toro leans into his what he is known for on a production level. Beautiful set designs, jaw-dropping costumes, detailed make-up, and a memorable score from legendary composer, Alexandre Desplat. There is no denying that these ingredients all matter to the story. Del Toro has always believed that filmmaking should be taken to its fullest capacity and strive for excellence in every aspect of making a movie. These details add to the expansive storytelling Guillermo del Toro takes audiences on and elevates performances and the audience’s connection to the film’s characters.
The film is dictated by its performances. Leading the charge is Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein, whose range throughout the film is remarkable. Victor has a striking sense of self assurance which leads to a destructive pattern of behavior that limits his human connections. This leads into his creation of the creature as a decision marked with toxicity. Victor’s disappointment in the creature reflects his own personal struggles, and marks the creature’s mind with a trauma that he cannot forget. As we dive deeper into the story, Jacob Elordi as the Creature becomes the stand out of the film. His curiosity and innocence is felt in every scene and his rage and anger are even more palpable. There is a layer of density given to this character with a truly touching performance.
Frankenstein excels in every aspect. From filmmaking, to performances, and even more important to the impact of the story. Although the film, is noticeably not book accurate there is unmistakable love and understanding of the novel fetl throughout the whole movie. Guillermo del Toro adds his own personal struggles and perspectives into these characters and makes a more hopeful version of events that feel proper to the story. The ending is unforgettable, with a more emotionally resonant force driving the story’s conclusion. Frankenstein’s commentary on power, trauma, ego, humanity and life is all delicately handled and makes for a touching experience.
