Stubs - Frankenstein (2025)

Frankenstein (2025) starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Lauren Collins, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro. Based on Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber Run time: 150 minutes. Color. USA. Gothic Science Fiction

If you’re like me, when you think of Frankenstein’s Monster, you immediately think of Boris Karloff, the star of James Whale’s 1931 film; part of the Universal Monsterverse, which for some are the classic horror films. While many of these films are based on classic books, sometimes the adaptation is very loose, which is the case with Frankenstein (1931).

A couple of years ago, I found out for myself by reading Shelley’s book. Not that it ruined my enjoyment of the classic film, but when I heard that Guillermo del Toro was going to make a film based on the book, I was hopeful that it would be closer to the source material. I’m happy to report that, though there is some poetic license taken, including the ending, the new Frankenstein is closer to the Shelley novel.

The new movie pretty much follows the book, starting and ending aboard a ship trapped in the ice near the North Pole. It is here that Victor Frankenstein tells his story and which the Monster tells his as well. And these stories are much more involved and the characters more three-dimensional than what was highlighted in the Universal film.

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein.

While the acting is good throughout, with Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster, and Mia Goth as Lady Elizabeth Harlander and as Baroness Claire Frankenstein, Victor’s mother, all deserving high praise. Though Christoph Waltz is good as Henrich Harlander, Elizabeth's maternal uncle, it is a character not found in the book, and one of del Toro’s poetic licenses.

A close up of one of the film's more graphic sequences.

The film, like the book, is somewhat slow-paced, and at times can be much more graphic than either the book or the classic film. The monster, we’re shown, is made up of various parts from several different men, which Victor cuts up before putting them together. While in the book, Victor doesn’t reveal how he brought the creature to life, as a way of making sure no one else tries it, the film attempts to show us how it was done. And like the book, del Toro's film dives in deeper on the relationship between creator and the created.

One of the changes from the book is William's (Felix Kammerer) engagement to Lady Elizabeth Harlander (Mia Goth). 

Relationships in the book are also skewed. Most notably the one between Victor and Elizabeth, Victor and his brother William (Felix Kammerer), and, to a lesser degree, Victor and his father, Baron Leopold Frankenstein (Charles Dance). If the film was more faithful, it would have to have a much longer run time, so del Toro takes shortcuts, including introducing Henrich Harlander.

Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster.

All that said, the film is quite an accomplishment, telling a true epic story in epic fashion. The film’s run time of 150 minutes is more than twice as long as 1931’s 70 minutes. No doubt time and money (a budget of $120 million) have allowed del Toro to tell a better version of the book.

Though not perfect, del Toro’s version will most likely be remembered when nominations for the major awards are announced. I wouldn't be surprised if it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Screenplay, Art Direction and Cinematography. This is a film that definitely should be seen on a big screen and would probably do well if it had a regular theatrical release. However, it is only in select theaters for a few weeks to qualify for said awards and will then only be seen on Netflix starting on November 7.

If you want to really know what happens in the book, I would suggest reading Shelley’s original novel; it may be somewhat slow, but it is still a good read. The next best thing is to see del Toro’s Frankenstein and it would be best to seek it out in a theater to see it as del Toro no doubt intended. Boris Karloff will always come to mind when I hear about Frankenstein's Monster, but this movie may be a go-to in the future.