Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is a masterclass in empathy and storytelling. The filmmaker, known for his dark and imaginative worlds, brings Mary Shelley's classic tale to life with a level of depth and nuance that's both captivating and haunting.
Del Toro has long been fascinated by the misunderstood monster at the heart of every story he tells. From Hellboy to Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Pinocchio, his films have consistently explored the complexities of human nature through the lens of the "other." In Frankenstein, this theme is more pronounced than ever.
The film's Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, is a study in contrasts. His portrayal is broad and one-dimensional, lacking the nuance that del Toro brings to his other characters. This is jarring, given the complexity of the character and the role he plays in the story.
In contrast, the monster itself – designed by Jacob Elordi – is a revelation. Its design blends elements from sci-fi classics like Prometheus and Guardians of the Galaxy, but with a twisted, organic beauty that's both captivating and unsettling. The creature's performance is equally impressive, conveying a sense of pathos and longing that's hard to shake.
Throughout the film, del Toro's attention to detail is breathtaking. The production design is lavish, with intricate sets and costumes that transport the viewer to a world of Gothic grandeur. The cinematography is similarly impressive, drenched in atmosphere and chiaroscuro that adds depth and texture to each scene.
But despite its many strengths, Frankenstein feels like a missed opportunity. Del Toro has always been drawn to stories that challenge our perceptions and spark empathy, but this adaptation feels too faithful to the source material. The story beats are familiar, and the pacing is deliberate, which can make for a slow-burning experience that's more contemplative than thrilling.
Del Toro, however, isn't interested in how his film will be received now. He's playing the long game, building a body of work that will stand the test of time. And it's here, in the quiet moments and the subtle nuances of performance and design, that Frankenstein truly comes alive.
Ultimately, this is a film about empathy and understanding. It asks us to look beyond the surface level and see the world through the eyes of the monster, to recognize our own humanity in its struggles and fears. Whether or not del Toro has succeeded in his goal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Frankenstein will be remembered as a landmark film that challenges our perceptions and sparks important conversations about the nature of humanity.
Grade: B+
Del Toro has long been fascinated by the misunderstood monster at the heart of every story he tells. From Hellboy to Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Pinocchio, his films have consistently explored the complexities of human nature through the lens of the "other." In Frankenstein, this theme is more pronounced than ever.
The film's Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, is a study in contrasts. His portrayal is broad and one-dimensional, lacking the nuance that del Toro brings to his other characters. This is jarring, given the complexity of the character and the role he plays in the story.
In contrast, the monster itself – designed by Jacob Elordi – is a revelation. Its design blends elements from sci-fi classics like Prometheus and Guardians of the Galaxy, but with a twisted, organic beauty that's both captivating and unsettling. The creature's performance is equally impressive, conveying a sense of pathos and longing that's hard to shake.
Throughout the film, del Toro's attention to detail is breathtaking. The production design is lavish, with intricate sets and costumes that transport the viewer to a world of Gothic grandeur. The cinematography is similarly impressive, drenched in atmosphere and chiaroscuro that adds depth and texture to each scene.
But despite its many strengths, Frankenstein feels like a missed opportunity. Del Toro has always been drawn to stories that challenge our perceptions and spark empathy, but this adaptation feels too faithful to the source material. The story beats are familiar, and the pacing is deliberate, which can make for a slow-burning experience that's more contemplative than thrilling.
Del Toro, however, isn't interested in how his film will be received now. He's playing the long game, building a body of work that will stand the test of time. And it's here, in the quiet moments and the subtle nuances of performance and design, that Frankenstein truly comes alive.
Ultimately, this is a film about empathy and understanding. It asks us to look beyond the surface level and see the world through the eyes of the monster, to recognize our own humanity in its struggles and fears. Whether or not del Toro has succeeded in his goal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Frankenstein will be remembered as a landmark film that challenges our perceptions and sparks important conversations about the nature of humanity.
Grade: B+
. I mean, I know it's not perfect - Victor Frankenstein is a bit one-dimensional, but that's what makes his obsession so captivating 
. The monster, though... oh my goodness! Jacob Elordi's design is just wow! It's like something out of a sci-fi dream 
. And the cinematography? Breathtaking! It feels like you're walking through a Gothic nightmare 
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. The only thing that keeps me from giving it a full 10/10 is that it feels a bit too slow-paced at times, but honestly, that's what makes it so contemplative and thought-provoking 
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. It may not be perfect, but its themes of empathy and understanding are so crucial in today's world. Del Toro has done an incredible job with this film, and I'm excited to see what he does next 
And don't even get me started on how they designed the monster... Jacob Elordi must've been sketchin' out some crazy concepts in his free time 'cause this thing is straight fire 
! The attention to detail is insane, and that cinematography? Forget about it, man... it's like steppin' into a Gothic nightmare 
. But, you know what's odd? This film feels kinda... safe? Like, it's playin' it way too close to the source material. Where's the twist? The surprise? I mean, del Toro's all about sparkin' empathy and understanding, but sometimes you just wanna be shook up, ya feel me? 
Still, it's a solid B+, 'cause at the end of the day, this flick is all about seein' things from a different perspective... 
I'm still trying to process the whole Victor Frankenstein vibe. The monster, though... wow. It's like del Toro took all the sci-fi classics and mashed them together into this beautiful, twisted thing 
. But can we talk about how the pacing is kinda slow? Like, I get it, it's a contemplative film and all that, but some parts had me checking my watch 
. Still, it's clear del Toro was going for something different here, and I appreciate that. The production design is insane 
. But for me, the real star of the show is the story itself - it's like he took Mary Shelley's classic tale and turned it on its head 
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. Still, the film's themes of empathy and understanding are so powerful and timely 
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. It's like he wanted us to question our assumptions about what it means to be human 
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. Still, I can see why it's getting so much attention - it's definitely a thought-provoking film that'll stay with you long after the credits roll 
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it's like they took all the nuance and complexity and put it on the backburner 
Jacob Elordi is straight fire 
have you seen the promo pics for the film? 
they're like something out of a sci-fi horror dream 
it's like we're right there with him feeling all his pain and longing i do agree that victor frankenstein feels a bit one dimensional compared to other del toro characters but still, the whole film is just masterfully done 
i'm not gonna lie, the pacing did feel a bit slow at times but overall, it's a movie that'll stay with you long after the credits roll 
. He has this gift for making us feel like we're right there with the monster, experiencing its pain and loneliness. I mean, that creature design by Jacob Elordi is literally breathtaking 
. The monster is where it's at, and del Toro's attention to detail in every department is just insane 
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) and see the world from their perspective. And if del Toro's film sparks important conversations about humanity, then it's a total success 
. Grade: B+ 
. It feels like they're just...there, instead of really living through their struggles. Still, the film's got so much heart & atmosphere, it's hard not to get sucked in 
. And that production design is straight fire 
. And Oscar Isaac's Victor Frankenstein character was pretty one-dimensional, if you ask me 
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But hey, I guess that's what makes the film so thought-provoking? 
i loved how del toro added all these little details that made the world feel so real 
the production design was fire 
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Stats alert! 
But Frankenstein is still a solid B+ 
. The way Jacob Elordi designed it is so unique and unsettling at the same time, you can't look away 
. Still, you can tell he was going for something bigger and more nuanced here, even if it didn't quite hit its mark for me.
. It's a film that'll make you feel things and leave you thinking long after the credits roll 
. The supporting cast is also somewhat one-dimensional 
. and that monster design???? Jacob Elordi did an amazing job! it's like nothing i've seen before 
. still, i think he succeeded in making me feel all the emotions and empathize with the monster 
. can't wait for him to release his next film! 
its design is insane and the performance is great. but victor frankenstein just feels like a bland proxy for del toro himself 
those sets are straight fire