The classic Mary Shelley novel Frankenstein is no stranger to screen retellings. Where does del Toro’s star-studded 2025 retelling rank? Starring Oscar Isaac as Dr Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s monster, this is a creature feature to add to your list.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
The Director
Guillermo del Toro is known for his work in fairy tales and creepy cinema. Other works, such as “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water,” exemplify his gothic style. It comes as no surprise that he finally takes on a horror classic: Frankenstein. In a recent interview, del Toro explains his lifelong love for author Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. His living room is full of Frankenstein figures!
The Cast
Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Dune) is the Creator, Dr Victor Frankenstein. Jacob Elordi (The Kissing Booth, Saltburn) is the monster, Frankenstein. When asked about casting, del Toro states that he knew from their eyes that they were right for the roles. It seems there is something special between del Toro and the actors he has chosen for his biggest masterpieces.
Other cast members are Mia Goth (Suspiria, Pearl) as Elizabeth Lavenza, Dr Frankenstein’s fiancée, and Christoph Watz (Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained) as Henrich Harlander, the primary benefactor funding the monsters’ creation.
The Original Story
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein features an overambitious scientist who stops at nothing to create a monster. A monster who ends up being frightened of, having not considered that this creation may be a failure and may lead to his demise. Which, spoiler alert, it does.
When the monster requests that Dr Frankenstein make him a mate and he refuses, the monster stops at nothing to ruin Victor’s life. The monster kills his friend, fiancée, and finally, him. Though indirectly, Dr Victor Frankenstein does not survive the story. When the Monster learns of his death, he is heartbroken, now having no family left, and vows to kill himself, too.
Though there are more subplots, the main focus of the story is Frankenstein and his monster. First published by Mary Shelley in 1818, this gothic romance has a tragic end, with themes reflecting the sociopolitical climate that Shelley lived in. In the 19th century, there was a divide between the working class and the wealthy. Much like Frankenstein’s monster, when those in charge refused the working class’s pleas for fair treatment, they revolted. Violent revolution is one thing that Shelley feared, as reflected in the novel.
The story discusses the consequences of ambition, nature vs creation, family, revenge, and isolation.
Del Toro’s Spin on a Classic
Guillermo del Toros movies often contain creations, themes of parenthood, and humanity. Frankenstein is no different. In his adaptation, the monster struggles with his creation: pondering why, who, and how he is. The god-like Victor Frankenstein is depicted as villainous, more so than in the original novel. In del Toro’s version, the monster is almost blameless, a victim of his own existence. Victor’s obsession fuels him throughout the film, making it impossible for him to see the poor ethics of his science.
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The cinematography is stunning. Del Toro’s use of color and lighting sets a gothic tone that draws relationships between characters. At a 2 hour and 21 minute runtime, every minute is decorated beautifully.
Ultimately, Guillermo del Toro’s personal philosophies shine through strongly. The retelling is both personal and expansive of original themes. His version adds Victor’s upbringing as backstory, where he had an abusive, tyrannical father. In the end, Victor acts in similar ways towards his creation, exemplifying the cycle of violence. Del Toro’s films often touch on this theme: son becomes his father, whom he hates. In this version, we feel for the monster. He is shown to have human traits: empathy, humanity, and softness. All traits which his creator lacks.
Frankenstein’s monster is more than just a green, crudely reassembled monster in Guillermo del Toro’s version. He is someone, not something, as the trailer says. This movie will make you gasp in horror and cry with emotion. It may just be del Toro’s best work. Frankenstein will be available to stream on Netflix on November 7th and is in theatres for a limited time now.
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Author: Jayne Turner is a freelance writer from Orange, California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with an emphasis on language and cognition. She has ten years of musical theatre experience and a lifelong love of reading. Utterly excited by the brain, she brings a fresh Gen Z perspective to the topics that intrigue us most.
