Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited Frankenstein has premiered at the Venice Film Festival, instantly becoming one of the event’s most talked-about films.
The project has been decades in the making, with the Oscar-winning director calling it a “religion” for him since childhood.
Netflix boss Ted Sarandos first greenlit the film after del Toro mentioned that Frankenstein and Pinocchio were his ultimate dream projects. The first, Pinocchio, released in 2022 to critical acclaim, and now his darker, ambitious take on Mary Shelley’s classic novel is finally here.
The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the creature, a role originally meant for Andrew Garfield before scheduling conflicts forced him to exit. Despite joining late, Elordi described the opportunity as a “dream come true,” while Isaac said working with del Toro felt like being invited to a “banquet” already prepared for him.
Del Toro has split the story into three parts, a prelude followed by perspectives from both Frankenstein and the creature. The narrative explores Frankenstein’s childhood and motivations, while also humanizing the misunderstood monster. At 149 minutes, the film provides space for backstories, though some critics felt it could have been tighter.
Early reviews have been mixed to positive. Deadline praised its scale, calling del Toro’s world-building irresistible. The Hollywood Reporter hailed it as “one of del Toro’s finest,” while The Independent found it visually dazzling but “short of the voltage needed to bring it to life.” Total Film described it as “masterfully concocted” with awards potential.
Known for humanizing monsters in works like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water (which won him the Best Picture Oscar), del Toro has once again created a sympathetic creature. He said he wanted the monster to appear “newborn” rather than disfigured, adding beauty to the tragedy.
Practical effects dominate the production, with sets and costumes designed to minimize CGI. Del Toro believes real settings enhance performances, quipping that the difference between digital visuals and practical craft is like “eye candy versus eye protein.”
While some have speculated about parallels to artificial intelligence, del Toro insists the story is not a metaphor for AI. Instead, he says the film is about love and the central question of humanity: “What is it to be human? And the right we have to remain imperfect.”
With its lavish design, emotional weight, and ambitious scale, Frankenstein looks poised to be one of the year’s most significant cinematic events.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
