Frankenstein (2025) – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Frankenstein – Love for the Monster Inside: A Character Tale

In the eyes of self-worth, what is it that we honestly look for?  In the eyes of pure passion, what is the one step we try to take?  In life, we try to find ways that break barriers, but it always comes to a clash of one desire to another.  In stories, that conflict breeds an endearment for characters … and if it becomes a truly gripping journey, then the relative means is an adaption worth pursuing.  In this review, I take a look at the latest film on Netflix.  Through the journey of one man and one creature, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a wondrous escape into what it means to break the blinds of the monster inside. 

When a brilliant scientist attempts to conquer life, the blinds of desires lead to a tragic clash between creator and creation.  Adaptations are a dance of faithful retellings and a creative push of exploration.  From action to fantasy, it becomes a question of seeing through with the purpose of ‘what is to tell’ in a tale already told.  The prowess is a matter of singular perspective, so the thought of adapting comic books, books, short stories or anything to film becomes a risk factor of building your own escape.  For Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation, he is able to thread the needle between staying true to the lore while spinning a humanistic allure through visual storytelling.  We first come into this film through the drop-in method, following a stranded ship in the Arctic.  After some quick action sequences and conversational moments, the crew of the ship come into contact with Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and the Creature (Jacob Elordi).  Once these two characters come into play, we settle down into a journey that becomes a tale of one side vs another.  With Victor nursing his wounds on the ship, the first act focuses on a buildup of his character: a showcase of Victor’s childhood, familial conflicts and steadfast focus on using science to conquer death.  Through flashbacks and voiceover narration, the methodical buildup provides an aesthetic of the blinds of desire against the heartiness of hope.  After a few failed attempts, he finally achieves his goal in conquering life, but with unexpected results.  The birth of the Creature shifts the storytelling (and perspectives) as he begins to tell his side of the story.  In this second act through flashbacks and voiceover narration (from him), we follow the Creature as he adapts to the unknowns of the world.  Through interactions with nature and other characters (see the list of actors and actresses on the film’s IMdb Page – link), you see a growth of indifference in a thematical battle of solace against agony, purity against the blinds.  This is where the adaptation becomes a true standout, where Del Toro’s unique storytelling is built through a methodical approach of raw conversations and darkly toned visual aesthetics.   As the tales weave in from past to present, the moments of truth become a hardiness that grips in the light, even if what you see are monsters in the dark.

As Victor and the Creature go back and forth with their tales, the genuine pull of the creatives come to play.  As Victor and the Creature interact, it reflects one’s desire and pride, a humanistic push against the fantastical tropes at play.  For all that becomes true, it is the raw reflection of familial themes that bring about real emotions for the audience.  There is a certainty in Victor and the Creature’s purposes, but also a blindness at play in their relationship.  As life and death come to a unique crossroads, we head into a third act that brings everything full circle.  With Victor and the Creature finding a path forward, we head into a wholesome climax and epilogue.  Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a riveting adaptation that provides layers into relative themes.  If you are fan of the director, adaptations or character films, this is one for you.  In the end, I think this is truly a remarkable adaption of an unforgettable tale.

Full Score – 4.5 out of 5 (Award Worthy)