Think you know Frankenstein? This new version proves otherwise. It’s not just about a mad scientist, it’s about the cost of obsession.
The story follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who wants to beat death. When his experiment succeeds, he’s faced with consequences he didn’t expect. Tension grows between him and his creation, leading to a climax that’s intense and emotional.
Without giving away the ending, it’s a moment that makes you feel every choice Victor has made, and the ending stays with you long after.
The movie’s atmosphere works really well. Dark, moody sets and the way the creature is shown make it scary but also sympathetic. The actors do a good job showing fear, guilt, and inner conflict, making the story more than just horror.
The pace slows sometimes during serious moments, but it adds depth. This isn’t just a scary movie, it makes you think about responsibility, ambition, and what it means to play god.
Fun Facts
- The film has been a lifelong passion project for del Toro, he’s said that making Frankenstein was one of the big films he waited decades to make.
- Lead actor Oscar Isaac described the shoot as “the most f*cking fun I’ve ever had in my life,” despite the dark tone of the material.
- The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and reportedly received one of the longest standing ovations of the year.
- Del Toro focused on practical sets and texture over CGI—he built real labs, towers and environments to give actors something tangible to react to.
- The creature (played by Jacob Elordi) is portrayed not just as a monster, but as someone deeply emotional and vulnerable, del Toro calls him more “patron saint” than experiment.
- Although it’s based on a classic gothic horror novel, del Toro says this one isn’t just a horror movie, it’s “incredibly emotional” and deals with father/son, creator/creation themes.
- The global streaming release is on Netflix on 7 November 2025, after a limited theatrical run starting 17 October 2025.
- The runtime is about 2 h 29 m, marking it as one of del Toro’s more epic‑scale works.
- Del Toro describes the novel and this story as his “Bible”, he said the creature has been with him since childhood and this version is his personal take.
- The film’s aesthetic is richly gothic and layered: colours, lighting, sets, and costumes came together to make the familiar tale feel fresh, critics highlight how the monster’s look is both beautiful and terrifying.
Verdict: A thrilling and thoughtful Frankenstein. Horror fans will get their scares, and everyone else will appreciate the story’s deeper questions.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Source: Screen Rant, The Times of India, Netflix, Reddit, What’s on Netflix, Hype Malaysia