The Wasteland Reviewer

Frankenstein (2025) Written Review

Are audiences ready for yet another adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic horror/science fiction novel? Well…just you wait to see what Guillermo del Toro did with Frankenstein. This novel has stood the test of time with its horrific story, complex moral quandaries, and rich themes centered on marginalization and humanity’s arrogance. This gothic tale has plenty of romanticism and horror, making for an intriguing mixture of ideas and tones. Frankenstein has become the benchmark for mad scientists, and The Creature is one of the most empathetic monsters in literature. This novel was made for del Toro to adapt it. His sensibilities, love for monsters, and ability to capture a classic gothic feel made him the perfect choice to tackle this legendary source material. 

How well does del Toro’s directorial vision come to life on screen? There is an amazing mixture of tones and atmosphere that he taps into, creating Frankenstein. The gothic atmosphere is so fully realized with a dark foreboding feel with a classic tinge. There is an impressive sense of romanticism in the film as well that captures the sprawling feeling of the story and something magical underneath the surface. There is a good balance of tenderness and emotion paired with the gruesome and bloody elements of the story as well. Alexandre Desplat’s impressive score does plenty of heavy lifting in crafting a moving, poignant, and impactful tone with a great bit of personality as well. The pacing is fine too for a film that is two and a half hours long. There is some thrilling action, grotesque body horror, and an intensity there comes together to deliver such a harrowing cinematic experience. One of the shining elements of the whole film is the art direction and costumes. The laboratory looks amazing in the del Toro chic as well as the. The costumes are so colorful, textured, and vibrant with some of the options. The effects are quite impressive too with The Creature coming to life impressively well (with some obvious similarities with other characters from other del Toro films). 

How well does del Toro adapt the story itself for this new film? There are so many specific elements that feel ripped right from the story. You get the framing device from the book, to start. You have Lars Mikkelsen portraying a ship captain who hears the stories of both Victor Frankenstein and The Creature (who both have quite a different perspective on events). This framing device gives the story a compelling structure that has conflicting tales which also gives some extra space to explore some of the film’s themes. This thematically dense novel is in good hands with del Toro’s whose empathetic look at The Creature is certainly one of the most compelling elements of the story. The exploration of Frankenstein’s descent and The Creature’s self-actualization are both engaging threads that benefit the film greatly. The narrative hits all the classic Frankenstein beats (which are classic and so effective for a reason. There are certainly some characters along the way that are underserved as well as some flabby sequences which could have used a second pair of eyes, like mine! The film has some bloody and shocking fates for some characters, but The Creature gets his satisfying and moving ending at least. Del Toro knows how to get the best out of the experience. 

How does the cast capture the spirit of Shelley’s characters? Oscar Isaac was such an inspired choice for Frankenstein (he also has a killer wardrobe in this film as well). His work on Ex Machina feels like a practice run for capturing such an egotistical and abrasive man. He also has such a large persona (when he wants to) which gives Frankenstein such a deeper and more complex personality. Isaac is so committed to his role that it ranges from arrogance to mania to fear in the face of his creation. The real standout of the cast is Elordi. He brings a rage and fire deep inside The Creature as he seeks vengeance against his creator and attempted destroyer. But there is such an empathetic slant to the character which Elordi embodies through all that make-up. As we see more of his story and journey, Elordi garners increased empathy and heart which draws the audience in. Mia Goth might not have as much to do but her unique presence and approach to her performance creates an alluring and impactful character who pulls the attention of the men in this story. Mikkelsen gets a lot more to work with than you might expect but the framing narrative gives the space to show strength, endurance, and deeper emotions as he takes in the tales of Victor and his creation. The other supporting veterans add plenty of depth and presence to the film like Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Ralph Ineson. This exquisite ensemble matches the exquisite filmmaking from del Toro. 

Is del Toro’s take on Shelley’s novel a worthy addition to this franchise? Honestly, this might be the crowning achievement in cinematic Frankenstein efforts. James Whale’s film has iconography, but del Toro captures the true spirit of the novel like few others have before. The production design, costumes, and make-up work are enough to make this such an engrossing and compelling experience. But the rich and layered screenplay, impressive filmmaking, and great ensemble makes Frankenstein so much more than that. If you believed you never needed another adaptation of Shelley’s classic…then you haven’t seen del Toro’s film quite yet.