The legendary director Guillermo del Toro presents another masterpiece, this time adapting one straight from the pages of the greatest literary work ever written by a person: Mary Shelley.
The topic, already colossal, features characters demanding only the best cast and performances. Del Toro leaves no stone unturned in making it a success. The most important elements are the characters of Victor and the Creature, both aptly chosen, and it’s the contrast, the to-and-fro between these two, the creator and the created, that forms the basis of the tale. The movie leans slightly toward being a love story, which feels natural given how the plot unfolds, a monster brought into existence without any understanding of love, now wishing to explore companionship, just as in Shelley’s original novel.
Del Toro also narrates the story through a third-person perspective in the form of a ship captain, as if the tale is being told directly to us, the readers of the book or the viewers of the film, inviting us to judge. Captured in two epic narrations titled Victor’s Tale and The Creature’s Tale, along with a prelude to set sail, Frankenstein becomes everything an author hopes an adaptation will be.
Direction of Guillermo Del Toro
Frankenstein begins with no-nonsense momentum, immediately showing us the hunter and the hunted, the two main forces of the story. The Creature’s face is deliberately hidden at first for a powerful reveal later. The shots are absolutely gorgeous, and you instantly feel the difference from the typical films you’re used to watching. The extraordinary angles and beautiful cinematography are commendable and captivating. The editing is superb, focusing only on meaningful shots that never wander without purpose.
The storytelling is subtle, requiring viewers to notice minute nuances. For example, in Victor’s tale, he clearly believes himself to be the hero. He misinterprets Elizabeth’s affection for unique things and creatures as being directed at him. Only when you watch the Creature’s Tale do you truly understand who the real monster is.
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein
Casting Oscar Isaac as Victor was an excellent choice. He does absolute justice to the character. You see Victor’s genius, played with complete confidence, when he speaks about his corpse experiments before a disciplinary tribunal. His natural flair and knowledge of his craft show in his demeanour. He is equally vulnerable in love as he falls for his brother’s wife. You see his sense of ownership as he makes decisions about his creation. His boldness and cowardice appear in just the right measures, exactly when needed. Oscar nails every aspect with perfection and brings Mary Shelley’s character to life. He understands the weight of the role and wears it fully.
Victor is, in fact, the most intricate character you take away from this film. He creates something extraordinary and then has no idea what to do with it. He fumes with repugnance at the Creature’s supposed incompetence, then envies him for becoming the centre of Elizabeth’s attention. He is simply trying to be himself, yet in the end becomes branded the monster for trying to kill his own creation. It’s poetic in countless ways, and I see no reason why Oscar doesn’t deserve an Oscar for this. Whoa!
Jacob Elordi’s – The Creature
Another unforgettable performance is Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the Creature. He makes his character very memorable. Every conversation between the creator and the created makes you wonder what thoughts are brewing inside this being.
When all he can utter is “Victor”, because that is the only emotion he feels in the moment of his birth, the only connection he has, Jacob gives that single word meaning. His poignant interactions with the world as he attempts to understand it, and his eventual realisation that he is unwanted because of his appearance, are heartbreaking. The character is filled with warmth, and by the end, you realise he was never the monster. He was simply another creation, and he wasn’t wrong in asking for a companion so he wouldn’t feel alone in a world that made him feel so unwanted.
The Screenplay
I absolutely loved the screenplay, with so many beautiful lines woven into the film like poetry in motion. You cannot help but feel the tragedy in the film’s words:
An idea, a feeling, became clear to me. The hunter did not hate the wolf. The wolf did not hate the sheep. But violence felt inevitable between them. Perhaps, I thought, this was the way of the world. It would hunt you and kill you just for being who you are.
This is what I love about Guillermo’s films. He pays attention to the smallest corners where he can tuck away powerful lines. The poetry is evident in his writing, and it feels like a tribute to the original book.
Some Issues with the Film
There are, however, a few things that don’t go unnoticed in terms of direction. The chemistry between Elizabeth and the Creature, something the film tries to build on, never fully lands. You sense the lack of genuine emotional connection, even though the actors try hard. Their limited screen time makes it difficult to establish the depth of feeling the story aims for.
The segment in which the Creature learns to read by hiding in a house, though faithful to the book, feels implausible on screen. Film cannot easily portray the passage of time the way a novel can, so the Creature’s rapid learning comes off as rushed. Perhaps his hiding phase could have been extended slightly. Still, despite the liberties taken, the core of Shelley’s story remains intact.
The Final Verdict
If you are a fan of the book, this adaptation is quite satisfying. Guillermo’s take gives faces to names and wings to Shelley’s imagery. It is a worthy adaptation with numerous moments that prompt reflection on life, human folly, creation, and death.
The movie is not only visually stunning, but it is a cinematic achievement, crafted with great attention to character with remarkable production quality and a job well done by everyone involved.
Frankenstein
Pros
- Extraordinary Casting
- Great Direction
- Beautiful Shots throughout
- Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi's Performances
Cons
- Missing chemistry between Creature and Elizabeth
- Changes the actual story for its benefit
