The most famous incarnation of Victor Frankenstein’s creation was Boris Karloff’s towering creation in 1931, 1935 in the superior sequels The Bride of Frankenstein, and finally in Son of Frankenstein (1939). After Karloff a plethora of actors portrayed the creature but with none of the humanity Karloff brought to the part. Bela Lagosi, Lon Chaney Jr. and cowboy actor Glenn Strange played the role over the years. Even the great Robert de Niro played the creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)!
I dare say the performance of Jacob Elordi, nominated for an Academy Award, will be how people see the creature created by Dr. Frankenstein. Elordi, a towering six foot six actor came to fame as the dangerous, psychotic Nate on HBO’s Euphoria and has had parts in films such as Saltburn (2024), as Elvis Presley in Priscilla (2024) and the just released remake of Wuthering Height (2026) with Margot Robbie. When director Guillermo Del Toro cast him in his remake of Frankenstein, no one complained, he seemed physically imposing, so why not?
Did anyone expect the depth of sheer humanity Elordi would bring to the role. Sure he has violent outbursts, which showcases his overwhelming strength, but it is the quieter moments, as he is learning what he is and where his place in the world is the actor shines. While discussing the human soul with his only friend, the lonely old blind man who teaches him to read, and about man. While talking about his soul he says with sadness and yet awareness that his is made up of “Many men…” realizing his body is made from many dead men. Heartbreaking.
Del Toro’s film is an impressive achievement more than deserving of its nine Academy Award nominations. The only one missing is for the gifted director himself, inexplicably. The look of the film is exquisite, superb cinematography and magnificent production design especially in the frozen North sequences.
Del Toro wrote the adaptation adhering closely to the novel by Shelley. Rather than explore Frankenstein giving life to the dead, the film explores how he actually makes what is dead walk. Played by Oscar Issac as a feverish high strung scientist, the doctor is so blinded by what he is doing he never stops to question the morality of it. Once he brings his massive creature to life? What then? He does not know what to do so he attempts to destroy his creation. The only problem with that is his creation cannot be killed, and escapes into the wild to learn what he is.
The destinies of the two men see them eventually in the frozen wastelands of the North, the doctor rescued by the Captain of a ship now locked in place in ice. Behind him, on his trail is the creature, who finally gets the chance to tell his story after the doctor’s attempt to end his life. We see in flashback how the creature came to be here, in a stunning shw if pure power, he pushes the moored ship out of its ice locked trap, sending the men home. It us a stirring moment and act of compassion from the creature.
Without the performances of the actors the film would lack its substantial power and empathy. They are superb, and Del Toro guides them to perfection. As the writer he does make alterations in the story but they worked for me. As a filmmaker he has created a masterpiece. As with his previous films, his love of cinema is in every frame as he pays homage to the great films of the past.
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