Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' is not merely a retelling of Mary Shelley's seminal novel, but a breathtaking, gothic symphony of creation and consequence. This 2025 adaptation masterfully transplants the story's philosophical heart into a visual feast that is both horrifying and profoundly human. The film follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), whose godlike ambition births a sentient Creature (Jacob Elordi) from stitched-together cadavers. The narrative unfolds as a tragic pas de deux between creator and creation, exploring themes of abandonment, societal rejection, and the monstrous potential within humanity itself, rather than in the being it fears. Del Toro's direction is sumptuous and deliberate, painting every frame with a painterly quality that blends beauty with decay. The production design is a character in itself—a world of steampunk-inspired laboratories, fog-drenched graveyards, and candlelit manors that feels simultaneously timeless and fresh. Oscar Isaac delivers a career-best performance, portraying Victor's descent from arrogant genius to shattered wreck with terrifying conviction. The true revelation, however, is Jacob Elordi. Beneath layers of stunning, grotesque prosthetics, he conveys the Creature's journey from infantile confusion to eloquent rage and profound sorrow with heartbreaking physicality and soulful eyes. Mia Goth provides a poignant emotional anchor as Elizabeth, while Christoph Waltz chews scenery with delicious menace as Victor's morally ambiguous mentor. The film's 150-minute runtime allows this tragedy to breathe, though it occasionally lingers a beat too long on its magnificent sets. While the core themes are timeless, some narrative beats feel familiar, hewing closely to well-trodden adaptations. Yet, these are minor quibbles in a film of such grand ambition and emotional power.