Frankenstein (2025) - 7/10

I’ll be honest. I’m not sure I’d watch this if it wasn’t easy to do so on Netflix. I love Guillermo Del Toro and I like a dark tale, but do we really need another telling of Frankenstein? 1857, a ship is stuck in the ice on the way to The North Pole. Here with a load of Danish sailors, we encounter Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Issac) and his Creature (Jacob Elordi). It’s an action packed start, but this of course isn’t where the story begins and with a two and a half hour runtime, there’s no hurry. We’re given Victors story first, as he recounts to the ships captain. Born in to wealth, this gives ample license to fill the frame with opulence as young Victor is educated by his father (Charles Dance), in the periods beliefs and ideas on surgery and anatomy. The loss of his mother though, taints his childhood and paints him into a gothic fervour, as he vows to conquer death. His efforts though are considered abominations by the medical community, despite his obvious talent and rather striking proof of concept. It’s gripping though and grips Harlander (Christoph Waltz). He has money and ideas to help Victor. He’s also to become family, his niece, Elizabeth (Mia Goth) is to marry Victors younger brother, William (Felix Kammerer). Together they set about building a lab in a tower that would make Tim Burton blush. William tasked with construction, whilst Victor falls for Elizabeth. It’s a strong cast, Issac does well to stand out, Elordi is magnificent, but even he is seemingly somehow outshone by Goth. What’ve The Creature though. Well his creation is marvellous in every sense of the word. Delightfully grotesque. Beautifully theatrical, a steampunk fantasy. The Creature upon creation is instantly the most cared for character on screen. His innocence relatable, even with his stunted intelligence. He looks great too, Elordi remarkably recognisable under all the prosthetics. Everything looks great though. The sets, costume, visually it’s an absolute feast. Victor may think he’s the intellectual superior, but he underestimates his offspring, who survives Victors murderous intent. This is where The Creature finds his voice. I’m not an authority on previous adaptations, but it’s my understanding that many discount the perspective The Creature’s given in Shelley’s book. He’s a monster, little more. Victor and the world though are the true monsters. The Creature is a sponge, kind and poetic. A depiction of purity, that Elordi renders perfectly, but he soon learns of his origin and the inevitability of violence. Did we need another Frankenstein adaptation? No, but this is probably the best I’ve seen. Yes it’s sentimental and yes it’s far too long, but it’s lovingly made and a credit to everyone involved.

7/10