Frankenstein (2025)
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Premise: An adaptation of the novel by Mary Shelley. Nineteenth century scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) pieces together a creature from the parts of corpses. Frankenstein’s creation turns on the doctor.
What Works: Frankenstein has been adapted to cinema dozens of times. The 2025 version is written and directed by Guillermo del Toro and it is very much a del Toro production. It isn’t a strict adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel (see the 1994 film for that) and 2025’s Frankenstein showcases del Toro’s humanism and romantic sensibility. Frankenstein’s creature is the original emo monster and this version capitalizes on that quality. As played by Jacob Elordi, the creature possesses soulfulness. This version plays up the father-son angle and actually improves on some parts of Shelley’s original story. The filmmakers bring forward Elizabeth (Mia Goth), reimagined as Victor’s sister-in-law-to-be, and Elizabeth is given more to do than in other versions. This Frankenstein plays as a tribute to the original text and everything it has inspired. Traces of Universal’s 1931 film, Hammer’s 1957 picture, and Bernie Wrightson’s illustrations can be found throughout the movie. Despite its grisly subject matter, 2025’s Frankenstein is more a fairytale than a horror picture and it is frequently beautiful. The images of cinematographer Dan Laustsen are gorgeously lit and the film has an impressive score by Alexandre Desplat.
What Doesn’t: While 2025’s Frankenstein is handsomely produced, it’s also a little too produced. The world of this version of Frankenstein does not look lived in. The outfits often look like they were just delivered from the costume department and the sets are too clean. Not much is organic about this movie. The images have the sterility of digital filmmaking. Even the corpses feel artificial. Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is often more interested in monsters than he is in normal people and that proves detrimental to Frankenstein. Victor is not interesting. Some of that owes to Oscar Isaac’s performance. He doesn’t have the madness of Colin Clive, the menace of Peter Cushing, or the guilt of Kenneth Branagh. The pacing and plotting are slack. It takes a long time to get to the creation of the creature after which there is no tension, stakes, or escalation.The filmmakers downplay any conflict. The creature doesn’t terrorize Victor and their reconciliation doesn’t achieve its intended emotional impact. The movie feels overwrought and slow.
Disc extras: Available on Netflix.
Bottom Line: 2025’s Frankenstein has a lot in it to admire which makes its shortcomings that much more frustrating. It’s made with love and reverence but those qualities handicap the drama.
Episode: #1074 (November 16, 2025)