Guillermo del Toro is known for his work in genres such as horror and fantasy, with a focus on creature-centered stories in films like “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Shape of Water” and “Crimson Peak”. Del Toro once again brings his talent and passion into the retelling of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein”, a remarkable classic about a creature who was brought to life from miscellaneous parts.
Del Toro’s take on the horror classic is refreshingly unique, earning a 3.9 average out of five on Letterboxd and an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is because the writing, cinematography, costume design and acting are astonishing and filled with so much care.
According to SYFY, del Toro has dreamed of making this film since he was seven years old, and from watching it, it is clear how much passion is poured into its writing. Although the film is not completely accurate to the book, this adaptation focuses on the relationship between father and son, that being Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. The Creature experiences abandonment, which ties the actions of Victor to the abuse he endured as a child from his father, thus creating a cycle. However, that cycle is eventually broken by the Creature, emphasizing its humanity, despite the dehumanization and alienation from others, which follows the path to forgiving Victor for being forced into eternal existence. According to GQ, del Toro tackled these three important aspects, one being the Catholic elements and the lineage of pain from father to son, which draws from his Latin American and Mexican heritage, as well as Victor being portrayed as both the protagonist and antagonist. These aspects strengthen the film’s theme and emotional intensity.
Furthermore, the cinematography of the film is visually stunning and appealing. Del Toro uses movement and deep focus to tell the story visually. To be specific, the final scene of the film, which is breathtaking, is the sunrise, where the Creature decides to embrace life. It goes from a wide shot to an intimate close-up of the Creature while utilizing natural light to contrast the dark, cool colors throughout the entirety of the film. The choice of using the sun for natural light seemed somewhat symbolic, as the sun may have represented life. This demonstrates how the visuals are significant and thoughtfully designed to move the story forward.
Costume Designer Kate Hawley, who has worked with del Toro in films such as Crimson Peak, focused on maintaining the narrative while blending historical research with a modern twist when it came to designing the pieces for Frankenstein. In the film, one utterly beautiful costume was Elizabeth’s, played by Mia Goth, wedding gown, big and white with ribbons wrapped around the arms. According to Harper’s BAZAAR, the dress design is not only the idea of Del Toro’s take on the character, but also pays homage to Elsa the bride from the original movie, “Bride of Frankenstein”. Although the dress was not as accurate to the time period, it seemed to fit effortlessly into the film. In fact, Hawley ended up being honored as the first-ever costume designer of the year at the 2025 fashion awards for her outstanding work on Frankenstein.
In addition to the wonderfully received technical aspects of the film, it would not have been possible without the talented actors who brought these very roles to life. By far one of the best performances to come from this film is from Jacob Elordi. According to Variety, Elordie wasn’t even originally supposed to play the Creature; it was supposed to be Andrew Garfield, but he left due to scheduling conflicts, leaving only nine weeks to recast the role. Elordie became the creature on screen, playing a vital role in bringing the character to life, delivering an emotional performance and demonstrating the creature’s growth from a newborn to a complex individual who endured many hardships on his path, discovering how to live and forgive. Eloride even went on to win best supporting actor at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards. According to Vogue, this was his first major film award, as he was shocked and grateful to receive it for his outstanding job of playing the Creature.
Overall, for those who enjoy the gothic aesthetic and stories about monstrous outsiders, Del Toro’s adaptation of “Frankenstein” is the perfect film. The writing is incredible, the cinematography is breathtaking, the costumes are gorgeous and the acting is spectacular. This adaptation of the beloved classic is one to add to the watchlist for any upcoming movie night.
