‘Frankenstein’ becomes a monster success at the Venice Film Festival

A dream decades in the making

Guillermo del Toro has been waiting most of his life to make Frankenstein. He first discovered Mary Shelley’s story as a child and carried the fascination into adulthood. For him, it became more than a dream; it was almost like a personal religion.

Now, after years of preparation, Netflix gave him the chance to finally turn that dream into reality. His long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein premiered at the Venice Film Festival, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about films of the event.

Netflix backs del Toro’s vision

During a meeting with Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, del Toro was asked what films were still on his bucket list. He instantly replied with two titles: Pinocchio and Frankenstein. Without hesitation, Sarandos encouraged him to make both, offering full support from the streaming platform.

Del Toro’s Pinocchio was released first, in 2022, to critical acclaim. It proved he could balance artistry with mass appeal. With Frankenstein, Netflix enabled him to push the limits of his imagination, providing the scope and resources necessary to create one of his most ambitious films to date.

Inspired by a horror legend

As a child, del Toro was deeply influenced by Boris Karloff’s haunting performance in the 1931 Frankenstein. That classic film stayed with him for decades, shaping his understanding of how monsters could evoke both fear and sympathy.

Rather than repeat what Karloff and director James Whale had already done, del Toro wanted to reimagine the story for a modern audience.

His goal was to blend classic Gothic horror with emotional depth, ensuring his adaptation honored Mary Shelley’s novel while offering a fresh perspective that could resonate across generations.

An epic story in three acts

Del Toro chose to structure his Frankenstein into three distinct parts. The film opens with a prelude that establishes Victor Frankenstein’s early life, showing what drove him to pursue his fateful experiments.

The story then splits into two versions of events, one from Victor’s perspective and the other from the creature’s. This dual narrative challenges viewers to see both sides of the tragedy, highlighting the relationship between creator and creation.

Oscar Isaac takes the lead

Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein, the ambitious scientist who creates life but cannot handle the consequences. Known for roles in Inside Llewyn Davis and Dune, Isaac brings intensity and depth to the role.

He described working with del Toro as stepping into a creative feast. The director built detailed sets that allowed Isaac to immerse himself completely. He explained that del Toro had already crafted a “banquet” of ideas, and all he had to do was step in and play his part.

Jacob Elordi becomes the creature

Jacob Elordi, best known from Euphoria and Saltburn, plays Frankenstein’s creation. He joined the project unexpectedly after Andrew Garfield had to exit due to scheduling conflicts during the Hollywood strike.

Elordi had only three weeks to prepare, yet his performance has been called transformative. Critics have praised his physicality and emotional range, noting how he captures the innocence and tragedy of the monster.

A strong supporting ensemble

Alongside Isaac and Elordi, the cast includes Christoph Waltz and Mia Goth. Waltz, known for Inglourious Basterds, adds sophistication to the ensemble. Goth portrays Elizabeth, Victor’s wife, who offers more kindness to the creature than Victor himself.

Their characters deepen the emotional conflict. Elizabeth’s empathy creates a striking contrast to Victor’s cold ambition, while Waltz’s role adds intensity to the drama.

Together, the supporting cast ensures this is more than just a monster movie; it’s a layered human story filled with moral choices and emotional consequences.

Building worlds with real sets

Del Toro avoided relying heavily on CGI, instead creating detailed physical sets for most scenes. He believes real locations give actors something tangible to interact with, resulting in more grounded performances.

From Gothic laboratories to dark European landscapes, much of the film was built practically. The craftsmanship in set design gives the movie a timeless atmosphere, immersing audiences in Frankenstein’s world.

Del Toro wanted the audience to feel like they were stepping into history, not watching digital trickery, making the visual design one of the film’s strongest achievements.

The CGI debate on set

While some digital effects were used when necessary, del Toro kept them to a minimum. Christoph Waltz even joked during promotion that “CGI is for losers,” a playful nod to del Toro’s old-school filmmaking approach.

Del Toro explained that practical design offers something more lasting, comparing it to “eye protein” rather than “eye candy.” His decision reflects his broader philosophy that cinema should feel physical and real.

Audiences get to enjoy a film that combines modern technology with the hand-crafted artistry of traditional filmmaking.

A different kind of monster

Unlike earlier versions, del Toro didn’t want the creature to look like a stitched-together accident victim. Instead, he imagined him as a newborn, a figure of tragic beauty who slowly learns about the cruelty of the world.

This design choice makes the monster feel sympathetic from the start. By humanizing the creature, del Toro shifts the focus from horror to compassion, inviting audiences to reflect on how society often mistreats those who are considered outsiders.

Divided critical reactions

Early reviews from Venice were mixed. Some critics called Frankenstein one of del Toro’s finest achievements, praising its artistry and emotional scale. Others felt it looked impressive but lacked the spark needed to fully engage.

This split reaction has only fueled more curiosity about how general audiences will respond once the film hits wider release. It’s already clear that the movie is hard to ignore.

Rave reviews highlight artistry

Many critics called Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein visually stunning and emotionally resonant. TheWrap described the film as a “remarkable achievement” that transforms horror into a moving tale of forgiveness, with del Toro’s passion shining “from every frame.”

Vogue added to the praise, noting its “powerful, emotionally resonant retelling,” blending gothic visuals with operatic storytelling and spotlighting Jacob Elordi’s “heartbreaking performance” that is already generating Oscar buzz

A bold runtime choice

At nearly two and a half hours, Frankenstein runs 149 minutes. Some viewers felt it dragged in places, suggesting a shorter cut could have been tighter.

But others argued that del Toro’s vision required breathing room. By giving space to both Victor’s and the creature’s perspectives, the film offers a fuller story.

The length allows supporting characters to shine and themes to be explored with care. For audiences willing to immerse themselves, the pacing feels deliberate rather than indulgent.

A director who loves monsters

Del Toro’s fascination with monsters runs throughout his career. From Pan’s Labyrinth to The Shape of Water, he consistently portrays creatures as misunderstood beings rather than simple villains.

He believes monsters reflect human struggles, embodying pain, love, and longing. In Frankenstein, he continues this tradition by asking audiences to sympathize with the creature’s suffering.

By highlighting their humanity, del Toro redefines how monsters are seen on screen, making them symbols of resilience and empathy rather than just objects of fear.

A Venice Festival centerpiece

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival was no small feat. The event is known for launching films into global conversations and often hints at future award contenders.

For del Toro, bringing Frankenstein to Venice was personal and symbolic. After decades of waiting to make the film, unveiling it in front of international critics and audiences felt like the ultimate celebration of his lifelong passion project

Want more from Venice’s unforgettable moments? Check out Angelina Jolie’s emotional appearance at the festival.

Del Toro’s lasting legacy

Frankenstein may divide opinions, but it cements del Toro’s place as one of cinema’s boldest storytellers. His attention to detail, practical effects, and emotional depth prove his dedication to the craft.

The film reflects his lifelong love of monsters and his belief that they represent the human condition. For audiences, it’s more than just another adaptation; it’s a reminder that imperfection, compassion, and imagination still matter.

Love monster stories as much as del Toro does. Take a look at some flopped monster movies that turned out to be secretly brilliant.

Do you think del Toro’s Frankenstein will become a modern classic or fade among past adaptations? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s talk monsters.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.