Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025)

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025)

“Believing something does not make it true."

“Choice is the seat of the soul. The one gift God granted us."

“Understanding, in those eyes I saw pain and what is pain if not evidence of intelligence.”

-Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025)

We all know the tale, or at least we think we do. One man's attempt to become God creates a monster that ultimately becomes his downfall. Frankenstein is in some ways synonymous with Men's ambition reaching far beyond the grasp. Though is this story truly that concise in its quandaries or is there something more? Is Frankenstein's monster truly a "monster" or is he a creature searching for purpose and meaning?
There is something remarkably poignant about Guillermo del Toro’s adaption of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is a film, at its core, about creation. Though, unlike its many predecessors Del Toro's adaption of this Gothic classic is not about creational regret or remorse. Instead, this film goes back to the source to explore the nature of creation itself, and its purpose in the struggles and sorrows present in the human experience. Del Toro's vision of Frankenstein is at once a visually arresting cinematic tapestry of the beauty and poignancy of sorrow, as well as a stalwart reminder of the resilience and promise of hope.
It may seem contradictory at first, but this hope is what drives this adaptation of Frankenstein forward to a profound realization that has stuck with me in such a way that I could have never anticipated. Ultimately, this film succeeds because it is enriched by a novel that has sadly lost its meaning in popular culture over these many years. That isn't to say that this film is a one to one retelling of this meditation on creation. There are certainly alterations here. Even so, this adaptation beautifully returns to the novel's central theme, and meaningfully adds to Mary Shelley's centuries long conversation on the purpose and meaning of a sorrow filled existence. To do this, Director Guillermo del Toro and his team metaphorically go back to the very beginning. Asking us the question, are we worthy? Are we worthy of creation and forgiveness? The real life answer may have already been given. However, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is well worth the watch as a powerful reminder of the love and worth inherent in the act of creation.

Rated R for bloody violence and grisly images and graphic nudity ( Brief male buttocks during a bathing scene. Lengthy full frontal & back female nudity in a transparent dress for a photoshoot.)

I found Frankenstein (2025) to be visually enthralling, thought-provoking and deeply meaningful. I hope in some way you do too.

Frankenstein (2025) can be streamed on Netflix with a subscription.