Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein isn’t just another horror movie—it’s a deeply emotional family drama, according to the director himself. This fresh adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic story has been a passion project for del Toro for many years, and it has now found a home at Netflix, with a limited theatrical release starting October 17th and a streaming debut on November 7th. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the dark source material, everyone involved insists this film transcends the horror genre.
Leading up to its release, del Toro has openly described the film as a "family drama" rather than a conventional horror flick. In a recent interview with Deadline, he emphasized how the story explores complex family dynamics and deep-rooted emotional themes, setting it apart from traditional monster movies.
Chris Bumbray from JoBlo previewed the film and gave it a solid 7/10, noting that the movie showcases the tragic consequences of Victor Frankenstein’s reckless ambition. Driven by arrogance and obsessed with the secret to eternal life, Frankenstein creates a living being without ever thinking through the emotional and existential torment his creation would endure—doomed to live forever as a tortured outcast. The official synopsis frames it this way: acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro retells Mary Shelley’s classic about Victor Frankenstein, an egotistical scientist whose monstrous experiment backfires, leading to devastation for both creator and creature.
The film features Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) as Victor Frankenstein, alongside Mia Goth (Pearl), Jacob Elordi (Saltburn), Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones). Ralph Ineson (The Witch) also appears in an important cameo. Interestingly, Andrew Garfield was originally cast as the Monster but had to withdraw, paving the way for Elordi to take on the role.
Del Toro’s journey to make this film has been long and winding. Over a decade ago, he first planned this Frankenstein adaptation at Universal, with Doug Jones—well-known for his role in The Shape of Water—lined up as the creature. The project progressed enough for Jones to see a bust of the Monster inspired by Bernie Wrightson’s legendary illustrations. However, that version fell through. Now, with Netflix's backing—following collaborations like Pinocchio and the anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities—the film is finally coming to life.
While del Toro stresses the movie’s emotional core and denies it’s a horror piece, the Motion Picture Association has rated it R for bloody violence and graphic imagery. This raises a debate: can a film with vivid horror elements remain primarily a family drama?
Mia Goth reinforced this idea, telling Deadline she doesn’t view Frankenstein as a horror movie either. "Guillermo said it’s a family drama about fathers and sons, forgiveness, redemption, and understanding," she explained. She added that audiences might be surprised by how heartfelt and moving the story is, especially given it’s been a personal project for del Toro since childhood.
Del Toro himself admitted that "nominally and generically, it is a horror movie," but argued that after three decades of making fantasy films, his work often carries multiple layers. For him, this film delves into the Catholic notion of generational pain passed from fathers to sons, adding a rich emotional dimension. After 200 years, the original story still inspires both fear and compassion, and del Toro believes his version brings a fresh, beautiful take to these timeless themes.
Are you excited to see Guillermo del Toro’s unique, family-focused take on Frankenstein? Do you agree with the idea that this film is more drama than horror? Share your thoughts below—some might find this interpretation surprising, others might even find it divisive. What do you think?
