Frankenstein (2025)

"Some of what I will tell you is fact. Some is not. But it is all true."

After the death of his mother, Victor Frankenstein (Isaac) vows to conquer death.  He also strives to be a better doctor than his father, Baron Leopold Frankenstein (Dance).  Years later, his controversial experiments get him expelled from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.  But, wealthy entrepreneur Heinrich Harlander (Waltz) is impressed.  Heinrich's niece Elizabeth Harlander (Goth) is engaged to Victor's brother William (Kammerer), who arranges a meeting between the two.

Heinrich offers to fund Victor's research, with a minor caveat.  With Heinrich's funding and William's assistance, Victor successfully reanimates a corpse (Elordi).  He is initially ecstatic, but the Creature is unable to communicate and Victor grows frustrated.  His success comes at a steep price - his relationships with William and Elizabeth, the destruction of his research notes, and serious injury to himself.  The Creature escapes, alone in the world.  What will happen when Creature and creator a reunited?

To start with, Frankenstein was my senior thesis. I love the novel.  This is not a faithful adaptation.

The Good:

Visually stunning.  Let's face it, Guillermo del Toro is a talented director with a clear vision.  It succeeds as that - a beautiful, del Toro film.

Oscar Isaac plays his part well.  Jacob Elordi does well in his role (and earned an Academy Award nomination for this film), it is an interesting take on the character.

The Bad:

Elizabeth - nope, nope, nope.  This is a massive change from the book and I am not a fan.  I also don't love the actress.

I read somewhere that this is a faithful adaptation of the novel, however, I disagree.  It's a well-made film, but it is not Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein".  There are massive changes to the characters (Elizabeth, his brother has a bigger role, his best friend Henry is not in the film, the character of Heinrich is new, etc) and the overall story.

Other Comments:

-Nominated for 9 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.

-It's a stylish film, and as a whole it is fine... but it is not "Frankenstein".  If you take it as a Frankenstein-esque film, it is fine.

Frankenstein (2025) 150 minutes 

Rating: R for bloody violence and grisly images

Director: Guillermo del Toro 

Starring: Oscar Isaac as Baron Victor Frankenstein

Jacob Elordi as the Creature

Mia Goth as Lady Elizabeth Harlander

Felix Kammerer as William Frankenstein

David Bradley as the Blind Man

Lars Mikkelsen as Captain Anderson

Charles Dance as Baron Leopold Frankenstein

Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander

Oscar Picks 2026

I have been predicting the Oscars since 2007. Last year I saw 2 of the nominated films and correctly predicted 2 of 7 categories (I don't predict them all). This year I saw 5 of the films.

Frankenstein

Jurassic World: Rebirth

K-Pop Demon Hunters 

Sinners

Zootopia 2

Jurassic World: Rebirth is nominated for Best Visual Effects

K-Pop Demon Hunters is nominated for Best Animated Film and Best Song (for "Golden")

Sinners received a record 16 nominations

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another

Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein

Delroy Lindo, Sinners

Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

Stellan Skarsgard, Sentimental Value

My pick: Delroy Lindo

Lindo was great in Sinners and I would be happy to see him win.  However, it could go to Sean Penn, based on name recognition alone.

Best Supporting Actress

Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value

Amy Madigan, Weapons

Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

My pick: Teyana Taylor

Taylor was the early favorite in this category, but Amy Madigan has also gained steam for her role.  And Wunmi Mosaku won the BAFTA.  I still think Taylor will win.

Best Actor

Timothee Chalamet, Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

My pick: Michael B. Jordan

Jordan was great in Sinners, playing twins and giving each character a distinct personality and look.  The only possible upset is Timothee Chalamet, but I give the edge to Jordan.

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

Emma Stone, Bugonia

My pick: Jessie Buckley

Buckley is the front runner and I fully expect her to win here.

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Chloe Zhao, Hamnet

My pick: Paul Thomas Anderson

Most of the Oscar predictions that I read expect the the Academy to give the win to Anderson, not necessarily because this is the best film of his career, but because he is "due" a win.  

Best Animated Film

Arco

Elio

K-Pop Demon Hunters

Little Amelie or the Character of Rain

Zootopia 2

My pick: K-Pop Demon Hunters

Zootopia 2 was good, but K-Pop Demon Hunters will win.  It's a well-made movie, a massive hit (with a sequel already ordered), and I can't see anyone else winning in this category.  I also expect the song "Golden" to win Best Song.

Best Picture

Bugonia

F1

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

My pick: Sinners

This film surprised me - I went in mostly blind and walked away a fan.  It is well acted (hence the 3 acting nominations), well-made, and the music is great.  Frankenstein will probably walk away with other awards based on it's distinctive style.  One Battle After Another is a big film with a flashy cast, but I think it will win in other categories (like Director).  I hate picking one film to clean-up all the awards, but if any can do it this year, it is Sinners.