Frankenstein: A Story Made for Guillermo, by Guillermo

Contains spoilers!

Some people are made to do something. Mark Twain was made to write The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Stephen King was made to write The Shining, Misery, and so much more. Mary Shelley was made to write her pivotal story Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus. Now, in 2025, director Guillermo del Toro has released his cinematic version of Shelley's classic tale, and it's a film that fits so perfectly in his wheelhouse. The film follows Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a scientist who, in his quest to create life, brings to life a creature (Jacob Elordi) and the consequences that follow.

To put it plainly, this film, this is one of my top 5 favorites of 2025. It's fantastically gothic, dripping in atmosphere that helps the viewer feel right at home as we follow Victor's journey.

Oscar Isaac's Victor is a brash man who, possibly unknowingly, reflects his parentage presented by his father (Charles Dance). It is through this neglect that, upon his creature first drawing breath, Victor ultimately rejects and grows frustrated with the creature at his simple-mindedness and his refusal to provide a companion for the lonely creature. "I need you to make a companion for me. One like me," states the Creature. In his arrogance and disgust, Victor assumes he's asking for a woman.

Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the Creature is a fantastic one, and the film helps by providing his story as well. As mentioned, the Creature is a lonely one, unable to die, forced to live in a world that a) he didn’t ask to be born into and b) hates him and wishes to kill him. We, as humans, seek companionship and love and, when we cannot find it or it rejects us, we fall into despair, yet persevere, nonetheless. Humanity, based on his physical appearance alone, rejects the Creature, and Victor's own hatred of what's he's created leaves the Creature alone and friendless. We see his tender heart when he helps the woodland family, headed by the blind man (David Bradley), who teaches him to speak and even read ("Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair."[1] I see what you did there, Guillermo!). When the blind man's family returns and shoots at the Creature, our hearts break for him. I'd even argue the Creature's half of the story is far more interesting than Victor's.

The cast is also filled with other recognizable names: Christoph Waltz as Harlander, Victor's financer; Felix Kammerer as William, Victor's brother; and Mia Goth as both Victor's mother and Elizabeth, William's fiancé. Mia Goth must be praised for this film, as I failed to recognize her in her dual roles until afterwards; between X, Pearl (both 2022), and this, she's quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses.

Frankenstein, like previous adaptions, is a cautionary tale of what happens when man tries to play God. Furthermore, it highlights how generational trauma can impact one's life and turn one into a monster, even without realizing it.

Cast

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein

Jacob Elordi as the Creature

Mia Goth as: Elizabeth Harlander and Claire Frankenstein

Felix Kammerer as William Frankenstein

Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander

Charles Dance as Leopold Frankenstein

[1] Taken from Percy Shelley's poem Ozymandias. Percy Shelley is the husband of Mary Shelley, Frankenstein's author.