Frankenstein review: What the critics are saying?

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited Frankenstein made its debut at the Venice Film Festival, where it was met with thunderous applause and a 15-minute standing ovation. The gothic reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic tale has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year, headlined by Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth.

The film marks the culmination of a decades-long dream for del Toro. The Academy Award-winning director first set his sights on adapting Frankenstein back in 2007. After years of stalled development, Netflix finally joined the project in 2023, making the film a reality.

Early Reviews Praise a Gothic Masterpiece

Critics at Venice have described Frankenstein as both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. One early reaction hailed the film as del Toro’s heart “poured into mesmerising craftsmanship,” praising its ability to breathe new life into “the Godfather of all monsters.” Another called it “a gory and glorious creation” and a “triumph” of gothic storytelling.

Several reviewers emphasized the film’s scope, noting its technical brilliance and emotional depth. One critic wrote that with its meticulous world-building and richly developed characters, Frankenstein transcends being just another adaptation of Shelley’s novel, calling it “a fantasy epic that demands to be seen on the big screen.”

Storyline and Characters

The film follows Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, a gifted but tormented scientist obsessed with conquering death. Despite rejection from the scientific community, he succeeds in bringing a corpse to life—only to recoil in horror at the creature he has made. Jacob Elordi takes on the role of the Creature, whose tragic existence sets both him and his creator on a path of destruction.

Mia Goth also stars in a key role, joined by an accomplished supporting cast that includes Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Lauren Collins, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Charles Dance.

Del Toro’s Lifelong Obsession

Speaking earlier this year, del Toro reflected on why this film is deeply personal to him. “It’s a movie I have been wanting to make for 50 years, ever since I saw my first Frankenstein film,” he said. He explained that it took decades of honing his craft before he felt prepared to bring Shelley’s timeless story to the screen.

Filming began in February 2024 in Canada and concluded in September of the same year. Behind the camera, del Toro reunited with trusted collaborators: cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who also shot The Shape of Water, and Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, who provides the score.

Release Plans

Frankenstein will first premiere in select theaters starting October 17, 2025, giving audiences a chance to experience its gothic visuals on the big screen. A global Netflix release will follow on November 7, 2025.

Given the rapturous reception in Venice and glowing early reviews, del Toro’s latest work is already being hailed as one of his most ambitious and emotionally charged films to date—one that not only reimagines Mary Shelley’s masterpiece but also reasserts del Toro’s place as a modern master of gothic cinema.