Guillermo Del Toro's "Frankenstein"

Frankenstein (2025): Del Toro and Netflix's Modern Prometheus

One of the first things we notice when we open Netflix is the advertisement for the upcoming release of the film Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro.

The director, as early as 2007, had stated his interest in directing a film adaptation of Shelley's novel, and after repeated delays, Netflix officially launched the project in 2023, buoyed by the Oscar win for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. We know that the film premiered in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in 2025, was well received by critics, and blah blah blah... let's be clear: nothing new. There are countless films based on Frankenstein; the first dates back to 1910, a silent short produced by Edison Studios (Thomas Edison's company) and directed by J. Searle Dawley. Then there's the very famous Young Frankenstein, directed by Mel Brooks. And the latest dates back quite a few years, namely Frankenstein (2015), by Bernard Rose. Obviously, I've only mentioned a few; let's say there are around 80 in total.

So will this 2025 adaptation tell us something new or will it be the same old story?

The Del Toro-Frankenstein combination is certainly captivating, but I think there's more to it. Let's start with the casting: Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth were chosen to play Victor Frankenstein and Elizabeth Lavenza, respectively; Charles Dance and Christoph Waltz play Leopold Frankenstein and Henrich Harlander; but it's the choice to cast Jacob Elordi as the Creature that pleasantly surprised me. This is because, until now, we've only seen the actor play "handsome" roles and never anything different. The Creature is a deformed being, a monster! A role that usually doesn't require a certain physical prowess. I must admit, however, that in recent years, many "monsters" have been played by good-looking actors, such as 2017's IT, where Bill Skarsgård played the demonic clown, or the entire Monster series, where serial killers are deliberately played by handsome and charming actors.

Another extremely interesting marketing choice is to make two different trailers: one

One from Frankenstein's point of view and one from the Creature's point of view. This leads the viewer to understand that the entire plot focuses primarily on the rivalry between the two. Obviously, this rivalry isn't an invention of the director, but rather the heart of the entire novel: Frankenstein "gives birth" to the Creature, immediately afterwards feels disgusted by it, abandons it, and as a result, the Creature first feels the pain of abandonment, then anger, and immediately afterward the desire for revenge for the wrong he suffered. But the idea of creating these two trailers to convey the hatred the Creature feels toward his "father" is truly brilliant and entertaining; after all, we mustn't forget that del Toro is also a brilliant producer.

This choice of two trailers makes me think that the film will also focus heavily on the psychological aspect of the novel: Frankenstein is considered one of the first "psychological" novels in modern literature, because the relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is not only that of a father who rejects his own son, but also the fact that the Creature is Victor's Shadow: what he rejects of himself, his sensitivity.

I have no trouble believing that this allegory of the failure of parental love will be the central theme of the film, especially since the director has repeatedly shown us that he loves "monsters" and creatures who are rejected by society and not accepted for who they are.

So turn on Netflix on November 7, 2025 (or head to select theaters on October 22) and enjoy this adventure. Enjoy!