Writer-director Guillermo del Toro helms the latest adaptation of Mary Shelleys novel, Frankenstein, and it may well be the best. This beautiful film tells the iconic tale of scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) bringing life to a Creature (Jacob Elordi) formed from dead body parts, who ultimately brings destruction after being rejected by his creator.

Directed by James Whale, Universal Pictures Frankenstein (1931) became the gold standard for the franchise. However, del Toros film surpasses Whales picture thanks to stunning imagery and a commitment to honoring the source material in all its depth and complexity. Del Toros result is an exhilarating spin on a literary classic.

　　Oscar Isaacs Frankenstein digs deeper into the character

Clocking in at 71 minutes, Whales adaptation of Frankenstein doesnt delve deep enough into the titular scientist, who is named Henry, or his motivations. The movie kicks off with Henry and Fritz scavenging for body parts to make the Creature, skipping over Frankensteins rich, meaningful backstory from the novel. Ultimately, we are left thinking that Henrys drive to raise the dead was fueled solely by the thrill of playing God, making his character feel one-dimensional.

Recommended Videos In contrast, del Toros Frankenstein highlights Victors childhood at the beginning of the movie. The film faithfully adapts Victors upbringing from the novel, showing how the devastating loss of his mother drove him to conquer death as an adult, making his character more relatable and engaging.

The movie also incorporates the novels psychosexual undertones by casting Mia Goth to play both Victors love interest, Elizabeth, and his mother. This highlights Victors Oedipal complex, as he longs for his mother, all while resenting his father for mistreating him and not saving his mother during childbirth. By bringing his Creature to life, Victor symbolically revives his mother and spites his father, making his story more compelling.

　　Jacob Elordis Creature surpasses Boris Karloffs character

Boris Karloffs version of the Creature is perhaps the most iconic, especially in terms of design. With his flat head and neck bolts, the Creature in 1931s Frankenstein was embedded in the public consciousness for decades to come. The character also evokes much fear and sympathy, as the film presents him as a savage but childlike figure raging against a hateful world that he doesnt understand.

However, Eloridis version of the Creature is far from the one seen in Shelleys novel. Though much of the Creatures original backstory is adapted in 1935s The Bride of Frankenstein, del Toros film does a better job introducing and developing Elordis character.

Del Toros film devotes ample time to exploring the Creatures journey, allowing for greater character development. Much like the source novel, the Creature learns to speak English by hiding in the Blind Mans (David Bradley) farm and reading his books.

Related: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: everything we know so far Elordis Creature thus becomes far more eloquent, sophisticated, and menacing than Karloffs. Elordis character is especially frightening with his booming voice, super strength, and accelerated healing factor.

The backstory of Elordis Creature also presents greater tragedy and sympathy for his character. He spends much time supporting the Blind Mans family in secret. After the Blind Man finally accepted the Creature, the former died from a wolf attack, leading the family to drive Elorids character away.

Overall, both Creatures experience physical abuse that drives them to lash out at humanity. Despite this, Karloffs character is given an abnormal brain, which supposedly makes him violent and uncontrollable.

Meanwhile, Del Toros Frankenstein illustrates that the Creatures violence stemmed from the abuse suffered at the hands of his creator. Since Victor experienced abuse by his father, the story displays the cycle of violence as passed down from parent to child. As William said in the film, Del Toros adaptation showed Victor was the true monster, not the Creature.

　　Elizabeth is at her best in del Toros Frankenstein

Elizabeths pivotal role in del Toros movie goes far beyond the character seen in both Whales film and Shelleys novel. She shows the Creature more compassion and understanding than Victor, who berates and abuses him as hes locked in a dungeon. Such kindness broke through to the Creature in a way his maker never could, as Elizabeth taught him to say a word outside of Victor.

Also, Elizabeth displays greater agency as a character. Like Victor, Elizabeth is a scientist pursuing her own studies. A loving and righteous character, Elizabeth is not perfect, given her romantic attraction to Victor, despite being engaged to his brother, William (Felix Kammerer). Nevertheless, Elizabeth knows well enough to distance herself from him and to try to protect the Creature from his wrath.

Whales film, on the other hand, relegates Elizabeth to the role of Henrys doting bride-to-be. Though she shows love and concern for her fianc, she only shows fear toward the Creature that he has created. Elizabeth even becomes a damsel-in-distress when, after being threatened by the Creature on her wedding night, she becomes a far less interesting character than Goths version of Elizabeth.

　　The new Frankensteins visuals are electrifying

Nearly 100 years later, del Toro went above and beyond to craft a fresh vision of Frankenstein thanks to his colorful imagery and vibrant costumes. This approach evokes a style of Gothic romanticism similar to Francis Ford Coppolas adaptation of Dracula. From the fiery angel to Elizabeths feathered dress, del Toros Frankenstein paints a distinctive portrait of a story told countless times throughout the ages, proving there was still some life left in it.

In the end, you cant deny the impact that James Whales Frankenstein had on popular culture. Iconic moments like Frankenstein shouting, Its alive! and the Creatures unforgettable design helped solidify both the film and Shelleys story as sci-fi classics.

Nevertheless, del Toro did a better job at telling the deeper tale laid out in Shelleys novel. He took his time exploring the layers of Victor and the Creatures characters, all while expanding on Elizabeths character to do them all justice on the big screen.

Del Toro also captured the beauty and terror of the story with vibrant and imaginative imagery. These aspects made del Toros film one of the most faithful and unique interpretations of Frankenstein ever made.

Frankenstein streams globally on Netflix starting November 7, 2025.