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