Frankenstein (2025)

Frankenstein: A New Life | 4.5/5

Written by Noah Dietz: 11/14/2025

I never seem to find myself reaching toward any of Guillermo del Toro’s work, though it seems to come to me when I didn’t know I needed it. I’ve seen a majority of his films at least once, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen a great deal, but I’m always slightly nervous to see whatever will come next. I suppose it’s an anxiety built on the back of high expectations. There’s no reason to worry about this most recent film, however. GDT’s gothic sensibilities are allowed to come out in full swing for this Frankenstein adaptation that shows an understanding of the source, and a willingness to adjust certain elements to better showcase the story he wishes to highlight.

I can’t overstate how much the casting of this film carries us. Jacob Elordi is an actor I’ve known by name only, but I was pleasantly wowed by his multifaceted performance as The Creature. Playing against the cruel science of Oscar Issac’s Victor Frankenstein, Elordi manages to contain both the childish wonder of a being brought unceremoniously into the world and also the incredible level of danger that a being like that would have. For me, this is the best conflict we’ve had between creator and creation in years. The confused betrayal we’re forced to see The Creature go through time and time again over the course of the film is heartbreaking. This is outdone only by the rage he subsequently feels living in the revelation that, by some cruel joke, Victor’s meddling has accidentally cursed him with eternal life.

There’s a lot here to love on a purely visual front as well. It’s in Elordi’s design with his musculature displayed via scars that, by a cruel twist of fate, refuse to heal and mark him as an unholy creation. It’s in the cavernous mansions and castles we visit, empty but for the servants who staff them. It’s in the looming tower of Victor’s folly, hollow and cold as the man himself. It’s in the developed, rushed world Victor exists in contrasting with the stillness of nature that The Creature has been banished to. There’s almost enough here visually that you could do away with the story, but to do that would be a disservice to yourself. Del Toro deftly tackles the harm that xenophobia brings to everyone, and not just those targeted. The story doesn’t stop there, also portraying the cycle of abuse birthing abuse shown throughout Victor’s life being passed down again to his creation. Victor's constant state of entitlement to the world once again contrasted against The Creature simply wanting to be accepted only serves to push both of these points further still.

In spite of some reviews to the contrary, I had no issues with the pacing of this film. I loved the way some scenes were allowed to breathe, giving us time to soak in the grandeur laid before us. My only true complaint is with the finale of the film. I don't personally care for the direction del Toro decided to take during the final moments of Victor and The Creature. It’s an end that anyone familiar with his work will likely see coming a mile away, but I’m not fully sold on the steps we took to arrive there. It’s by no means enough to ruin the experience, but it did slightly tinge the ending for me, and I could see how it could more greatly affect others.

The greatest disservice this film has received is the stunted theatrical release. In our current plague of films that are dumped directly to streaming, it hurts even more to have it happen to a film that’s as visually large as Frankenstein. Large, open scenes demand your attention, begging to dominate the biggest screen it can be shown on. Jaw-dropping sets lose some of their power on the home screen, highlighting the offense that Netflix has done to the film with their kneecapping of a wider release. Thankfully a physical release has been negotiated, but it is truly a shame knowing that many people, even those who sought out showings, were unable to see this in a theater. That said, please don’t allow yourselves to skip this just because you missed the big screen. Enjoy an evening with our newest Frankenstein, and take a moment to reflect, whether positively or negatively, on how it’s moved you.