Frankenstein 2025 Review: Guillermo Del Toro Crafts a Gorgeous Monster with a Beating Heart

Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025) has arrived, and it’s every bit the grand, gothic spectacle you’d expect from the filmmaker behind Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. This is not another soulless horror remake chasing nostalgia. It’s a visually stunning and emotionally charged reimagining of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece that asks the same eternal question it did over two centuries ago — who is the real monster? With a powerhouse cast and Del Toro’s signature touch of dark romanticism, this might just be the definitive modern take on the classic story.

From its opening sequence, Frankenstein (2025) feels like a painting come to life. Every frame is drenched in gothic detail, with candlelit corridors, decaying mansions, and mist-filled landscapes that only Del Toro could dream up. His production design is so meticulous that even the shadows seem alive. But beneath all that beauty lies a deeply human story about ambition, loss, and the consequences of creation. Del Toro doesn’t rely on cheap scares or horror clichés. Instead, he builds tension through emotion and atmosphere, turning a familiar tale into something hauntingly new.

Oscar Isaac commands the screen as Victor Frankenstein, delivering a performance that’s both magnetic and heartbreaking. He portrays Victor not as a cartoonish mad scientist but as a man consumed by his own brilliance and regret. Isaac gives Victor a tragic humanity that makes his downfall all the more devastating. Jacob Elordi, meanwhile, is nearly unrecognizable as the Creature. He brings a fragile intensity to the role, infusing the monster with layers of pain, rage, and longing. His transformation is impressive as you can almost feel the torment beneath the stitched-together exterior.

That said, the Creature’s design bothers me a bit. He looks more human than monstrous, a creative decision that works thematically but slightly undercuts the horror. Personally, I wished for a touch more menace. Still, the more human appearance reinforces Del Toro’s central idea, that monstrosity isn’t defined by appearance but by actions and intent. By the time the credits roll, you’re left asking whether Victor or his creation deserves the title of “monster,” which is exactly where Del Toro wants you.

The film’s biggest flaw is its pacing. Clocking in at nearly two and a half hours, Frankenstein (2025) occasionally drags. There are moments when the movie seems to linger on its own gorgeous visuals a little too long before moving the story forward. It’s indulgent, yes, but also understandable. Del Toro loves this world, and he wants you to soak in every ounce of it. A slightly tighter edit would have given the film more urgency, but it’s hard to complain when every scene looks this good. Although some of the CGI did get on my nerves. The scenes with the deer, wolves and deer for example. Did we run out of money?

Despite the slow burn and questionable CGI, the emotional payoff is worth it. The relationship between Victor and the Creature is tragic and beautifully acted. Their connection is the film’s heart and soul, a tug-of-war between creator and creation that mirrors the loneliness of both. It’s unsettling, sad, and strangely tender. As someone who’s seen just about every adaptation of Shelley’s story, this one stands out. Even though it changes a few things, it captures the essence better than most. Del Toro clearly knows what he’s doing, and his choices, from tone to design, feel deliberate and confident.

I also have to give recognition to the supporting cast, Christoph Waltz who is never not brilliant, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer and of course a brief but commanding presence with Charles Dance who never met a villain he didn't love.

Frankenstein (2025) isn’t perfect, but it’s a triumph of vision and emotion. It’s a film that reminds you why the story of Frankenstein endures: because it isn’t about monsters at all. It’s about humanity, its brilliance, its hubris, and its heartbreak. The movie’s lush visuals and powerful performances make it a feast for the eyes, while its emotional core ensures it lingers in your mind long after the credits fade.

Verdict? Frankenstein (2025) is a stunning, soulful reimagining that proves Del Toro still reigns as the master of beautiful monsters. It’s haunting, tragic, and deeply human. Yes, it’s long. Yes, the Creature could have looked scarier. But when the film ends and you’re sitting there wondering who the real monster is, you realize Del Toro has done exactly what he set out to do.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Have you seen Frankenstein (2025) yet? Drop your thoughts and tell us whether you sided with Victor or the Creature and which one you think truly deserves the title of monster.