Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’: Expert Reveals How True It Stays to Shelley’s Classic!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: This discussion reveals key plot details of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” available now on Netflix.

Guillermo del Toro has often expressed his reverence for Mary Shelley’s 1818 masterpiece “Frankenstein,” referring to it as his guiding light. He has now actualized his interpretation in a new movie on Netflix, featuring Oscar Isaac as the brilliant yet troubled Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature.

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” has inspired countless adaptations, ranging from James Whale’s iconic 1931 film, which introduced the world to the classic image of the Creature with a pale, flat-topped head and neck bolts, to Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 version, which remained more true to the original novel.

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While del Toro’s rendition diverges from the novel—reimagining major characters and backstories such as Victor’s fiancee Elizabeth (played by Mia Goth), and omitting others like Victor’s friend Henry Clerval and servant Justine Moritz—his goal was to delve into the novel’s emotional depth.

“Most people interpret ‘Frankenstein’ as a story about the perils of science,” del Toro explained to The Bangin Beats in an August cover story. “But to me, it’s a narrative about the human condition. It’s not about warning against overreaching; it’s about redemption, compassion, and the necessity of mutual understanding.”

To gauge how del Toro’s film compares to Shelley’s original vision, we spoke with Julie Carlson, an English professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who specializes in the British Romantic period and the Wollstonecraft-Godwin-Shelley family.

What was your first impression of the film — did it resonate with you?

I appreciated it. It’s always refreshing to see a serious filmmaker engage deeply with a serious literary work. This adaptation, compared to others, clearly demonstrates a respect for Shelley’s text and her intellectual brilliance. It stays true to the novel’s structure, allowing Victor and the Creature to each share their perspectives. Moreover, the Creature’s dialogue, while not as poetic as in the book, faithfully conveys the philosophical depth of the original.

How does the addition of Victor’s abusive father impact the film’s themes?

It shifts the focus somewhat from hubris to shame. The depiction of Victor’s father belittling him, and later Victor’s similar treatment of the Creature, adds a layer of personal tragedy and familial dysfunction. This alteration explores themes of legacy and failure rather than just the quest for knowledge and power.

The film portrays Elizabeth differently than the book does. What are your thoughts on this change?

The reinterpretation of Elizabeth stands out significantly. Unlike her passive role in the novel, the film’s Elizabeth is an independent scientist, which aligns interestingly with a specific line from the book where Victor describes her as “playful as an insect.” This version of Elizabeth not only highlights her intellectual agency but also serves to expose Victor’s dishonesty and self-deception. Her character in the film actively challenges Victor’s narratives, adding complexity to her interactions with him.

Elizabeth’s relationship with the Creature is notably different in the film. Do you think this alters the story’s message?

The dynamic between Elizabeth and the Creature in the film, characterized by empathy and mutual recognition of their shared outsider status, does not necessarily romanticize their relationship but rather highlights their common experiences of alienation. This reinterpretation may not fully align with Shelley’s emphasis on patriarchal oppression but introduces a different layer of critique focusing on personal connections beyond societal structures.

Does the film effectively convey the novel’s critique of society’s treatment of women and other oppressed groups?

The film subtly addresses these themes but focuses more on broader critiques of war, capitalism, and societal expectations. While it may not foreground the Creature’s societal rejection as strongly as the novel does, it explores related themes of responsibility, creation, and the consequences of one’s actions within a familial and social context.

In what ways does this adaptation stand out compared to other versions of “Frankenstein”?

Del Toro’s film resonates closely with the layered narrative of Shelley’s original, encapsulating its gothic essence rather than transforming it into a horror spectacle. It thoughtfully engages with the text’s complex themes, making it a tribute not just to the novel but to Mary Shelley and her contemporaries.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.