Frankenstein review: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is ambitious, almost egomaniacal, but unmistakably artistic

Dissection, human anatomy, and aesthetic visual artistry, Netflix’s Frankenstein is about life, one you experience as if stepping inside a painting.

The thought of "What if we could cheat death?" is something that many of us have wondered at least once. Victor Frankenstein took action on this idea, and that’s essentially what this fiction is all about. It is a journey that explores a belief that transcends reality and challenges the very essence of life, ultimately leading to death. For Gothic horror and science fiction fans, Frankenstein is the gospel, defining humanity and redefining what a monster means. For the ones who have never been acquainted with it, Guillermo del Toro sets a beautiful stage that you can’t ignore but celebrate.

The story questions what happens when a man decides to play God and go against how life works. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) grows up with an absent father who is a doctor, someone who expects nothing less than excellence from him. His mother instills a sense of worth in him, but her death makes him want to learn how to defy the very force that took her away, death. But in this process, he eventually became what he had always feared to be, like his dad.

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Guillermo del Toro, known for his pragmatic relationship with monsters and their place in the world, brings a fresh stylistic revival to this classic novel. His frames resemble works of art that you can pause and admire. Coupled with a talented ensemble of actors who deliver peculiar yet relatable performances, this adaptation feels like an early Christmas present. It feels more than just another retelling, and instead offers a new perspective on a beloved story. 

Oscar Isaac's portrayal of Victor is genius. He is charismatic, practical, and maniacal who is constantly in the pursuit of excellence. The only thing he strives in life is to defy the natural order of life, doing everything in his power to make it happen. We see the importance of relationships in his life diminish, and him only caring about becoming God. Jacob Elordi brings emotional depth to the story as the monster, providing an excellent contrast to how Victor and the world perceive him. The creature's childlike curiosity to understand humanity, more importantly, to comprehend his own existence adds a kind of warmth we know is often absent in real life. Instead of becoming just another beauty for the beast, Mia Goth leaves a significant mark on the film as Elisabeth Lavenza. She seamlessly brings back one of our favourite genres of ‘trapped within a grand palace, wearing a period gown and holding a candlestick’ women in film. Her performance enhances the film's period atmosphere and adds depth to the story.

In addition to the bone-cracking moments and the prominent red from the blood, colour plays a subtle but significant role in how we perceive Victor. A colour that he originally associated with his mother ultimately serves as a reminder of what he becomes, a monster. This transformation is particularly poignant as he eventually loses that connection.

The film masterfully delves deep into the timeless question humanity has always been curious about, the desire to cheat death and playing God. With Oscar Isaac’s intelligent Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi’s emotionally resonant monster, and through its rich visuals, gothic atmosphere, and emotional depth, del Toro’s Frankenstein redefines what it means to be human and what truly makes a monster.

Frankenstein is currently streaming on Netflix.