Movie Review: Frankenstein
One-liner: Striking visuals, ornate production design and solid performances compel this refreshing yet aloof and “patchwork” dark fairy tale adaptation.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a gothic horror and sci-fi adventure drama that breathes grand, operatic life into Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus’. Taking the central premise of a scientist-turned-creator undone by his own ambition, the film feels like a dark fairy tale, deeply reminiscent of del Toro’s signature work on Pan’s Labyrinth. It’s a sweeping and ornate visual masterpiece that upends the clichés of this oft-adapted story to offer something genuinely refreshing.
Led by Oscar Isaac – undoubtedly one of the finest actors of his generation – the film delivers a brilliant Dr. Frankenstein. Isaac portrays a man obsessed with his quest, wrestling with the blurred lines between human and monster and questioning which role each lead ultimately inhabits. Del Toro explores their unique perspectives to chronicle the deeper complexities of their relationship. The visuals remain the primary driver of this immersive experience, capturing a rare, haunting beauty through a lens of gothic fantasy.
The narrative draws from unexpected threads, embracing elements of Highlander, Heidi, and Beauty and the Beast to strengthen the standing of Mary Shelley’s timeless classic. While it possesses the visual grandeur to intrigue, the film does feel a bit “stuffy” at its two-and-a-half-hour runtime.
Fortunately, the exquisite production design commands attention, and the performances anchor the emotional weight. While the audio experience is equally immersive, the dialogue occasionally feels more like embroidery than enhancement; the visual storytelling is so potent that the film could have succeeded with a sparser script, even if the “deluge of words” helps define Dr. Frankenstein’s intellectualism.
“Frankenstein’s Monster, actually.”
Jacob Elordi, as the Monster, demonstrates that “less is more.” Working through extensive prosthetics and makeup, Elordi carries the physical performance with remarkable soul, even when sharing the screen with heavyweights like Isaac and Christoph Waltz. This iteration of the creature possesses self-healing abilities rather than being simply undead, which lends the origin story a superhero undertone – especially given his immense strength. By not fully explaining the limits of his invincibility, del Toro maintains an air of mystery around the creature’s capabilities.
The film’s pastoral moments and the presence of a grandfather figure evoke the spirit of Heidi, while the unrequited romance between the Monster and the doctor’s muse hints at Beauty and the Beast. Meanwhile, the immortality and specific costume design choices signal a clear nod to Highlander.
Frankenstein is an elegant and beautiful vision, yet it stays somewhat at arm’s length due to the see-sawing balance of its characters, who often feel as though they are on trial. Wistful and striking, its length may be felt, but it remains a timeless piece of craft that finds new nuance in a well-worn story.
The bottom line: Captivating
