Frankenstein, Guillermo Del Toro’s new movie, came out on October 17, 2025, just in time for Halloween. This re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel draws from the original’s gothic and tragic themes while showing the classic story in a new light.
The film follows the brilliant, yet arrogant, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) found half-dead aboard a ship in the arctic, who recounts how his obsession with surpassing death consumed him. Funded by wealthy merchant Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz) and with the help of his younger brother, William (Felix Kammerer), Victor succeeds in his experiments and creates the Creature (Jacob Elordi). However, Victor’s pride in his creation doesn’t last long as he soon becomes repulsed by the Creature, who only wants kindness and companionship, and attempts to kill it. Feeling rejected by the not only his creator, but the world, the Creature aims to get revenge on Victor and as a result Victor’s brother and his fiancée, Elizabeth (Mia Goth), get caught in the fallout. Victor and the Creature’s final confrontation unfolds in the Arctic, where Victor, on the verge of death, finally accepts the Creature as a son.
Frankenstein is a beautifully shot movie. Guillermo Del Toro utilizes mostly practical effects, making the movie feel incredibly immersive due to the attention to detail put into the production. The costumes were also amazing. Specifically, Elizabeth’s outfits stood out as she was adorned in extravagant gowns with even more extravagant jewelry. Kate Hawley, the costume designer, drew from Elizabeth’s love of insects and science to create dresses with beetle patterns and even blood cells.
The story tackled many themes very well, but the parallel between Victor and the Creature and Victor and his own father was one of the most compelling aspects of the movie to me. Victor, only knowing the cruelty of his own father, treated his own son in same way. Victor’s father only valued his intelligence, and when the Creature showed no sign of higher thinking other than repeating Victor’s name over and over, Victor became increasingly angry and abandoned his creation just as his father abandoned him. Nevertheless, the Creature and Victor reconciled in the end, breaking the cycle.
Though I believe that the whole cast had great performances in this movie, Jacob Elordi stood out the most to me. He brought depth and vulnerability to a creature that’s supposed to be terrifying. His scenes as the “Spirit of the Forest” were some of my favorite throughout the whole movie, and when the Creature faced cruelty, I genuinely felt for him.
Overall, I give the movie 4/5 shields.
