Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein‘ Reimagining Delivers a Visually Stunning, Emotionally Resonant Take on the Classic Tale
Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is now in theaters, offering a lavish and deeply human exploration of the iconic story. The film, a passion project for del Toro, distinguishes itself not as a horror film, but as a Gothic romance akin to his 2015 film Crimson Peak, immersing viewers in a world of striking visuals and complex emotional landscapes.
The film features Jacob Elordi as the Creature and Mia Goth as Elizabeth Harlander. Del Toro’s vision emphasizes the beauty inherent in creation, exemplified by the Creature’s initial experience with sunlight, prompting Victor to declare, “Sun is life.”
Del Toro openly acknowledges the extensive history of Frankenstein adaptations, referencing a lineage that includes karloff’s performances, Flesh for Frankenstein (also known as Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein), Toho’s Frankenstein vs.Baragon, The Bride (starring Sting!), Frankenhooker, and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie.
Visually, the film draws inspiration from comics legend Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein illustrations. A darkly humorous scene involving a partially revived corpse echoes the tone of The Return of the Living dead. Del Toro’s approach emphasizes his reverence for Shelley’s original novel, presenting a unique interpretation while remaining faithful to its core themes.
Acknowledging the traditionally tragic fate of Victor and the Creature, del Toro’s adaptation seeks to offer a path toward redemption for the ”fucked-up Frankenstein family.” The narrative structure, split between victor’s and the Creature’s perspectives, underscores the film’s central themes of atonement and forgiveness, questioning whether the Creature can forgive Victor’s parental failings and if Victor can break a cycle of abuse. Ultimately, the film posits that “All you need is love.”
