Everyone knows Frankenstein’s creature. Since Mary Shelley wrote the novel in 1816, the figure has appeared in countless films, series and Halloween stories. The tale has been retold and reshaped many times.
With Guillermo del Toro, Mexican filmmaker and author’s new adaptation, Frankenstein returns once again, this time in a Gothic world marked by the director’s distinct visual style. Shelley’s influence adds literary weight to the film, while the amplified scientific elements position it comfortably within modern science fiction.
Oscar Isaac, American actor and film producer, leads the cast as Victor Frankenstein, playing a taciturn scientist overwhelmed by grief and unprepared for the consequences of creating life. His uncertainty shapes both his actions and the emotional tone of the film.
Jacob Elordi, Australian actor, delivers one of the strongest performances as the creature, balancing innocence, grief and bursts of anger with striking nuance. His physicality gives the creature an imposing presence, but his expressions and quiet moments reveal a longing for connection that makes the character deeply sympathetic.
Mia Goth, British actor and model played the character Elizabeth. Goth maintains a submissive exterior that masks her resistance to the world around her, and her perceptive performance adds weight to the role.
Lars Mikkelsen, Danish actor, appears as the blind wise man, guiding the creature during a pivotal part of the story. Each actor fits naturally into their role, grounding the film and reinforcing its emotional structure.
The film’s strongest element is its visual design. Del Toro blends scientific and biological horror with a Gothic setting, creating a world that feels both historical and unsettlingly modern. The costumes add layers to each character, with the creature’s design being especially notable. Lighting and color also play an important role. Muted tones dominate the film, but bold color appears during high emotion scenes, including Elizabeth’s death or the final sunset.
The script uses Shelley’s writing effectively while keeping the dialogue sharp and engaging. While the novel focuses closely on Victor and the creature, the film expands on a few additional characters. This choice slightly distances the story from the intensity of the book, where the creature’s violence is central. In the novel, he kills Victor’s brother and wife in vengeance, shaped by society’s rejection and Victor’s fear of him. In the film, the creature’s destructive moments feel more like uncontrolled bursts of rage than deliberate acts, softening the character’s darker edge.
Del Toro follows the spirit of Shelley’s ending, giving the film a bittersweet close. The creature forgives Victor and allows him to die peacefully, bringing a quiet sense of resolution to their conflict. The creature, denied death for so long, finally accepts life after having his existence acknowledged by his creator. He walks toward a warm sunrise after being surrounded by cold, snow-filled landscapes throughout the movie, a physical reflection of his emotional shift.
Del Toro brings a 19th-century masterpiece to a 21st-century audience, blending tenderness with terror through precise visuals and strong writing, keeping viewers engaged at every point. Whether you enjoy classic literature, Gothic cinema, science fiction or simply the long-standing myth of Frankenstein’s creature, this adaptation is worth watching.
Edited by Bidhya Sapkota and Anushma Dahal
