Thu Oct 23 19:20:00 UTC 2025: Headline: Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” Electrifies Netflix With Visual Spectacle, But Lacks Nuance

By The Associated Press, October 17, 2025

Guillermo del Toro, the master of monster tales, has unveiled his long-awaited interpretation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” hitting Mexican theaters on October 23rd and streaming on Netflix from November 7th. While not a strictly faithful adaptation, del Toro’s “Frankenstein” delivers a visually stunning and emotionally charged experience, though it may fall short of masterpiece status.

Starring Oscar Isaac as the brilliant yet egotistical Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his creation, the film explores themes of creation, parental influence, and the very nature of monstrosity. Mia Goth takes on dual roles as maternal figures in the lives of both Victor and his brother, William (Felix Kammerer), and William’s fiancée, Elizabeth. Charles Dance plays Victor’s intimidating father.

Del Toro, a known champion of the “monster,” seemingly sides with the Creature, portraying it as an innocent victim, driven by primal rage. Isaac delivers a captivating performance as the obsessive Victor, consumed by the desire to transcend death and surpass his father’s legacy. Elordi portrays the Creature as a gentle soul, tormented by its existence and met with hatred and violence from the world.

While the film’s first half showcases a mad scientist’s fevered creation, the latter focuses on the Creature’s journey of self-discovery. A blind elder (David Bradley) provides a rare moment of compassion, while the Creature’s acquired knowledge only deepens his understanding of his tragic fate.

The film is undoubtedly a del Toro production, featuring elaborate sets and stunning costumes brought to life by frequent collaborators such as production designer Tamara Deverell and costume designer Kate Hawley. Alexandre Desplat’s epic score further enhances the film’s grand scale.

However, the review suggests that the film’s large scale and emotionally charged content can feel somewhat draining. The reviewer also suggests the Creature’s inherent complexity as presented in Shelley’s novel is somewhat lost in Del Toro’s adaption.

“Frankenstein” is rated R for bloody violence and disturbing images. The film runs for 149 minutes and is awarded three and a half stars out of four.

(Images from Netflix showing scenes from “Frankenstein” featuring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth are available.)

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