Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is the type of adaptation that comes once in a lifetime—a magnetic triumph in every way that instantly feels like a classic. From the directing to the performances, every minute of the film glistens with a significant message about empathy.
As someone with an MFA in English Lit, it feels necessary to say that while I can recognize the importance of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in fiction, it’s never been one of my favorite books. Yet, every part of the movie feels like something I’ll constantly want to revisit. Guillermo del Toro has that impact as a director, but this feels like his magnum opus, and what a shame that it didn’t get a bigger theatrical run.
In large part, the movie feels as brilliant as it does because of how effortlessly the directing and performances marry. It isn’t often that an excellent director is paired with equally excellent actors, and that’s the unmistakable case here.
Oscar Isaac is the perfect performer to effectively convey all the complexities of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, making the dualities of his character shine in a way that no previous adaptation has done before. As a story about viciousness, obsession, and, in many ways, grief, as well as a mirage of fathers and sons, it’s Isaac’s performance that adds a redeemable quality to the mad scientist.
To top things off, I’ll also be the first to say that despite the glowing reviews about Jacob Elordi’s performance that initially dropped during TIFF screenings, I still had my reservations about his casting. And yet, there’s no denying that Elordi as The Creature is the film’s MVP. The humanity, surprising gentleness, and all-around range present in his every move are nearly impossible to describe. To do so much solely with his expressions, voice, and physicality while covered in prosthetics is no small feat. Elordi’s performance adds an even bigger layer of vulnerability to the story that makes Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein the type of nuanced adaptation that’s glowing with warmth.
I don’t know how you come out of a film like this without feeling overwhelming empathy. Compassion. Love. The desire to simply exist, to do good things, and hope that those around you will love you is part of the book’s theme, but it feels even more substantial in the film. Those final few moments had my heart in absolute shambles, and it’s entirely because of the softness Elordi brings to The Creature.
There’s also much to say about del Toro’s entire vision and the cinematography from Dan Laustsen. As critics, we often complain that dark scenes are almost impossible to see nowadays, but Frankenstein nails the gothic atmosphere with a darkness that’s fully visible. At no point during the movie did I squint or question what was on my screen, and that’s the type of achievement I hope other filmmakers learn from. You can have a dark, heavy-handed handed and dreary story without taking away saturation.
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Every set piece, every transition, every small decision is so thoughtfully done that it’s apparent throughout the whole film that the audience should experience everything right alongside the characters. And we do, which makes the entire viewing experience feel memorable. Plus, another unforgettable original score from Alexandre Desplat? Perfection.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Netflix