Experience the Thrills of Netflix’s Frankenstein: Del Toro Revives the Classic with a Unique Twist!

Guillermo del Toro has always been enchanted by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He calls it the “quintessential teenage book” and even fills his Bleak House in Los Angeles with versions of its creature. Del Toro has long dreamed of creating his own adaptation. He once voiced his wish: “If I make it, it’s done. You cannot dream about it anymore.”

In his vision, Frankenstein isn’t merely a horror tale. It dives deep into familiar themes: the search for beauty within darkness, the loss of innocence, and the complex bond between parents and children. Del Toro’s unique style transforms this tale, which has been around for over 200 years, into something fresh and intimate.

At the heart of the story, we find Victor Frankenstein (played by Oscar Isaac), a man obsessed with conquering death. His experiments, particularly one involving a disfigured body brought to life, disturb many. However, he finds a wealthy ally in Harlander (Christoph Waltz), who supports Victor’s ambitious endeavors.

Del Toro’s portrayal reveals Victor’s inner chaos shaped by trauma. Losing his mother at a young age and enduring a detached upbringing steers him toward an unquenchable obsession with resurrection. His fixation becomes consuming, enabling him to stockpile body parts as he builds a lab in a secluded tower.

The film vividly portrays the details of Victor’s unorthodox creation process. The creature emerges unnaturally tall—Victor chooses larger parts to work with. This meticulousness adds a believable layer to the otherwise fantastical story. When the moment of creation arrives, the audience feels the miracle, knowing what’s to unfold.

Yet, everything changes once the creature opens its eyes. Victor quickly realizes he hasn’t considered the outcomes of creation. He initially shows moments of care but ultimately chains the creature away in a basement. The beast, endowed with remarkable strength and self-healing abilities, struggles with a vacant mind and can only utter “Victor.” This understandably frustrates Victor, especially as he begins to see his creation as a burden, which ultimately leads him to regret and destructive impulses.

As the story unfolds, it shifts focus to the creature. Despite appearing fearsome, he is gentle at heart and abandoned by society for his looks. His sole comfort comes from Victor’s sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Mia Goth), the only person who accepts him. Driven by longing and pain, the creature embarks on a quest for vengeance against Victor.

Del Toro’s version powerfully emphasizes parental failure. Victor’s concern for the creature is self-serving, primarily to validate his scientific pursuits. When things go awry, he distances himself from the creature, leaving it to wrestle with profound existential questions.

The film shines in its portrayal of emotion. Isaac’s performance as Victor captures his character’s charisma and flaws, while Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the creature evokes a deep emotional arc, starting as an innocent being overwhelmed by his fate and gradually becoming a tragic figure. The design of the creature—a pale figure with intricate scars—successfully blends realism and fantasy, further enhancing the film’s visual storytelling.

Every detail, from the stunning set designs to the elaborate costumes, contributes to the overall experience, making it a visual feast. Del Toro’s long-gestating project feels alive, and the themes resonate with contemporary discussions about creation, responsibility, and the dark side of ambition.

In a world increasingly fascinated by how technology shapes life, the film’s exploration of humanity’s consequences echoes modern concerns. For example, tech-driven debates about ethical boundaries in AI and biotechnology draw parallels with Victor’s reckless pursuit of life. In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 47% of Americans expressed concern about AI surpassing human abilities—showing that questions of creator responsibility remain ever relevant.

Del Toro’s Frankenstein is set to captivate audiences when it releases in theaters on October 17th before streaming on Netflix on November 7th. The film promises to be a fresh lens on a classic story, inviting viewers to consider what it truly means to be a creator and the moral implications that follow.

For more insights on technological ethics, you can visit the Pew Research Center’s report on AI.

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