I love Guillermo del Toro’s monsters – Frankenstein

by Julia Kelm

Frankenstein (2025) made a limited theatrical release on Oct. 17 this year, and then began streaming on Netflix on Nov. 7. The film is an adaptation of the 1818 gothic classic Frankenstein also known as The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.

If you are unfamiliar with the story, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t, it follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein — Oscar Isaac — a brilliant, yet egomaniacal scientist, who brings a creature made of the parts of the dead to life. The creature — Jacob Elordi — turns against his creator, hunting him to the edge of civilization, which is where the story begins and ends.

I feel partially like a phony talking about Frankenstein since I have never actually read the source material. However, I think I make up for this with a sister who is obsessed with the story and has told me basically everything to know about the classic. I am also a major fan of Del Toro, who is my third favorite director — something to keep in mind if you like to keep track of the ‘Reel Talk’ lore.

Anywho, although Del Toro’s film is one of the very few adaptations of the novel that stays somewhat true to the story, he does add his own creative flair and changes to the retelling of this tale. Without getting into the specifics of the story content, this is most notable with Del Toro’s classic art design elements. 

 I can not stress enough how perfect Elordi is to play the monster. In the novel, the monster is described as being 8-feet-tall, and although made of decaying flesh, he was strangely beautiful. The combination of classic Del Toro art design for the creature — gothic and fairy-tale like — and Elordi’s tall beauty, there’s absolutely nobody else I would cast. Elordi also plays the monster in such a kind and pure-hearted way, you can’t help but audibly aww. I hope he gets some award recognition for this role, as it stands out to me among this year’s potential Oscar nominees.

Isaac was also excellent and really shines as an actor here. He plays Dr. Frankenstein as a cruel father to the creature, his own ego getting in the way of truly seeing the potential in his creation. Frankenstein is wicked in so many ways, but you can’t help but find him endearing and charismatic in the early minutes of the film. 

However, to me, these were the only standout performances in the film. Elizabeth — Mia Goth — felt like one note to me. Although I understand her lack of depth, since the story doesn’t rely on her existence much.

Unfortunately, I watched the film in the comfort of my own apartment on Netflix, since I didn’t have time to procure myself a drive to Eureka this week. Minor Theatre, it’s time to retire  One Battle After Another and show some other shit.

However, I suppose I am grateful that I could watch it at all — and it makes it easier for you, too. It’s much more manageable to open up Netflix between what feels like exam after exam this year, than trying to get into that confusing ass parking lot at Broadway theater.

So, please, try not to look down on me for not getting to the theater this week, my dear reader. I’d rate Frankenstein a solid 9 outta 10 Julias.

Julia is a journalism major and the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.