Frankenstein

Don't get me wrong. The movie is beautifully done with stellar performances, great cinematography and stunning soundtrack.

I've loved Guillermo Del Toro since I was a teenager and I watched Pan's Labyrinth for the first time, and then I made it my goal to see everything he's ever directed. But I've loved Mary Shelley's Frankenstein since I was in elementary school. After I read it the first time, I kept rereading it over and over again.

My issue with this is that this is not Frankenstein. At least, not Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The story is completely changed, and I'm not sure that it is for the better. I was seeing all these reviewers rage how this is the Frankenstein we deserve and that this is as close as it gets to the actual book. The former is up for debate, but the latter is a straight up lie from someone who's obviously never read or understood the source material.

If this would've been an original story, I would've liked it way more. But seeing as it is supposed to be an adaptation of a childhood favorite of mine, it simply doesn't hold up. Definitely the biggest disappointment of the year for me, and I've been looking forward to this since last year. I was disappointed when I heard that it wasn't playing in theaters near me, but I guess it was for the best.

If you're going to watch this, I would suggest you drop all expectations of it being Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and watch it as it's own original thing.

Guillermo Del Toro delivers a refreshing new take on one of the most famous horror stories of all time. Rather than crafting a typical horror film, he presents Frankenstein as an intimate and emotionally layered character study. Del Toro's deep affection for his "monsters" is once again evident - he consistently stands on their side, suggesting that the true monster is, in fact, Frankenstein himself.

The performances are strong across the board. Oscar Isaac offers a convincing, if occasionally a little over-the-top, portrayal of Frankenstein. However, he is ultimately outshined by Jacob Elordi as the Creature. It's a challenging role that could have easily been one-dimensional, but Elordi imbues it with remarkable depth, emotion, and soul - a truly fantastic performance. Christoph Waltz delivers a familiar turn, very much in line with his recent work, while Mia Goth is solid, though it remains to be seen whether she truly lives up to her "next big thing" reputation.

On a technical level, the film excels. The cinematography is stunning, the set design meticulous, and the score beautifully complements the film's emotional tone. The makeup work is exceptional, and while the costumes are impressive, they occasionally verge on being a bit too extravagant.

If there's one major flaw, it's the runtime - the film could easily have been trimmed by at least thirty minutes. Nevertheless, this is a deeply emotional and visually striking experience, and another remarkable addition to Guillermo Del Toro's already distinguished filmography.

The film succeeds best when it remains close to Mary Shelley's original such as in its storytelling approach and varying perspectives, as well as the dialogue and references that echo the novel. I wish there had been more of this. The book is rich in philosophy, psychology and tragedy.

Del Toro doesn't fail, but I think he misses the mark at those moments where he changes the story, revising the characters' awareness and motivations. Walz's Harlander is invented and unnecessary, Isaac's Frankenstein is frenzied rather than haunted. It is Jacob Elordi's monster / creature that redeems the film, in addition to its beautiful gothic style and fine pacing (the runtime is long, but suitable). Overall, a great addition to the lore and worth seeing on the big screen.

Experienced Del Toro's latest on the big screen in 35mm print and was left speechless. The film is far from being compact in length but managed to present some of the best cinema of 2025, an expertly crafted culmination of multiple decades of experience from Del Toro.

Visually, the film is nothing short of a masterpiece. The set design, costumes, and cinematography are stunning, and every frame is a joy to look at. The visual effects (admirably, mostly practical effects) are spot on, and Desplat's score, albeit a little bit overly dramatic at times, is hauntingly beautiful and elevates the experience to a whole other level.

I will admit this is the first film adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic tale that I watched, but I am familiar with some of the artistic liberties Del Toro took in his adaptation, and I think the vast majority of them are beautiful and help breathe life into the tale at modern times, while also helping differentiate it from other adaptations and giving Del Toro's unique spin to it. Similarly to his work on Pinocchio (2022), you can see his admiration and respect for the source material while you can also see his personal footprint and soul poured all over the project.

Oscar Isaac is brilliant in his role as Dr. Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi shines in a career-pivoting role. Goth and Waltz are great as well, and the film features some other pleasantly familiar faces, like Game of Thrones alums Charles Dance and David Bradley. An all-around great performance from the amazing cast completes the craft of the film as another career highlight in Del Toro's magical filmography.

I will say the movie is a little bit too long while ironically the plot also takes some shortcuts and contrivances to push things forward; but that's not as dire as it sounds, and the film is enjoyable from start to finish, with great writing and directing from Del Toro.

A poetic tale that mourns and dazzles, Del Toro's adaptation of "Frankenstein" is one of the most beautiful and well-crafted films of the year. While preserving the heart of the original tale and taking brave liberties to unify it as Guillermo's personal work, Frankenstein works on every level and manages to serve as 150 minutes of pure cinema and breathtaking entertainment.

First off, I love a modern gothic horror adaptation, this just made my list of Halloween yearly rewatches along with Nosteratu (2024). There's just something about the visuals of rain flooded cathedral rooftops and blood flowing down cobblestone streets that gives you a faint touch of anxiety that you'll catch the plague while sitting in your theater's recliner.

But I digress, Oscar Isaac is brilliant, no surprise there, from Drive to Ex Machina, his villain arc continues to grow like the hump on Igor's back. I look forward to his next role as usual.

I have to admit, having never seen Euphoria, I didn't know how Jacob Elordi would play out but the dude's got range! He really brought the character to life, killed it, then brought it back to life again.

Mia Goth, great mother of Pearl! I found myself falling in line behind all of the other characters in the film that fell in love with her. She never misses.

Christoph Waltz... need I say more?

Guillermo del Toro delivers once again! The visuals and storytelling kept me engaged, even when scenes would slow down, the emotion picked up. And this film is brutal! The creature does not hold back, he was put together to rip others apart.

Go to the theater to see this one while you can! Every shot is masterfully framed and the grandiose set pieces require eyes to be feasted upon the big screen.