Some monsters are born of lightning. Others are born of loneliness. In Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, both forces collide – creation and grief, beauty and terror – in one breathtaking reimagining of Mary Shelley’s timeless myth. After decades of dreaming about it, the Oscar-winning director behind The Shape of Water finally brings his vision of Frankenstein to the screen. The result is part horror, part elegy — a story about a man who tries to play God and the creature who only wants to be loved.
Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, the film blends Gothic atmosphere with deep emotion. Every frame is built with del Toro’s signature craft: handmade sets, practical effects, and luminous cinematography by Dan Laustsen. Scored by Alexandre Desplat, it’s a work that hums with sorrow, tenderness, and awe. Frankenstein premieres theatrically in October and lands on Netflix USA on November 7, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about this dark and dazzling resurrection — from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
All the key details about Frankenstein
- Title: Frankenstein
- Format: Film
- Length: 150 minutes
- Genre: Gothic horror, drama
- Country of production: United States
- Year of release: 2025
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Main cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz
- Produced by: Netflix; Double Dare You Productions
What happens in Frankenstein?
Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) is a brilliant scientist tormented by grief. Unable to accept loss, he dares to break the boundary between life and death. His forbidden experiment succeeds — but what he brings to life (Jacob Elordi) is not a miracle, but a mirror of his own sorrow.
The creature, innocent and confused, is cast out into a world that fears him. As he searches for meaning and belonging, his creator spirals deeper into guilt and obsession. Del Toro reimagines this story not as a tale of terror alone, but as a tragedy about love, rejection, and what it means to be human.
Who’s in the cast of Frankenstein?
Oscar Isaac delivers a restrained, aching performance as Victor – part visionary, part victim of his own ambition. Jacob Elordi sheds his teen-idol image to play the Creature, a performance full of physical power and heartbreaking vulnerability. Mia Goth portrays Elizabeth, the fiancée whose presence haunts Victor’s every choice.
The film also features Christoph Waltz as an unyielding investigator, Charles Dance as Victor’s father, and Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) in a key supporting role. Together, they build a world where tragedy feels both mythical and intimate.
Read more on the director and the cast ► The beauty and horror of creation: Guillermo del Toro resurrects Frankenstein on Netflix
Is Frankenstein based on a true story?
The film is adapted from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, often cited as the first true work of science fiction. A lifelong admirer of Shelley, del Toro treats the material as sacred myth — reframing Victor’s quest as a meditation on grief, responsibility, and the longing to be seen.
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What are the reviews on Frankenstein?
Early buzz positions Frankenstein as an emotionally rich monster tale — “a masterpiece of empathy in monstrous form,” with critics praising del Toro’s meticulous craft and moral depth. While some note a measured, meditative pace, most highlight its visual sumptuousness, devastating performances, and the filmmaker’s signature blend of Gothic spectacle and aching humanity.
Where was Frankenstein filmed?
Production took place across Toronto (Ontario) and London (England), with large-scale sets evoking 19th-century Europe and wintry frontier landscapes. Del Toro emphasized practical effects and hand-built environments to preserve texture and emotional realism.
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Frankenstein: Behind the scenes and fun facts
Del Toro has been nurturing this project for over two decades, finally realizing it with Netflix’s backing and full creative control. The film reunites him with cinematographer Dan Laustsen and composer Alexandre Desplat. Cast and crew have praised the old-school approach: physical builds, puppetry, and in-camera magic over heavy CGI — a choice that reinforces the story’s tactile, human heartbeat.
What’s Frankenstein like?
If you enjoyed Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, or Edward Scissorhands, this is the right film for you — blending Gothic romance with moral horror and a distinctive, tragic beauty.
When is Frankenstein coming out on streaming?
Available on November 7, 2025. Frankenstein will stream exclusively on Netflix following a limited theatrical run in October. Release date: November 7, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
