Why Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Looks Closer to Mary Shelley Than Any Other Version

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, Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel is truly one of the most important works of Gothic horror. The title itself is now practically synonymous with fear, and the scientist’s famous monster has permanently shaped how we celebrate Halloween. Many filmmakers and writers have tried to reimagine the creature in their own way, and there are almost endless interpretations. Frankenweenie showed Tim Burton’s take on the story with a dog, while Kenneth Branagh presented a more accurate adaptation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

The impact of the Frankenstein Monster is visible everywhere, from the 1931 Universal Pictures film to the new Creature Commandos series. However, very few adaptations have truly captured the spirit of Mary Shelley’s original novel. In fact, after many attempts, Guillermo del Toro’s version appears to be one of the most accurate yet. Everything from the actors he’s chosen to the trailers and even the design of the monster suggests del Toro is creating the faithful story fans have long hoped for.

Guillermo del Toro’s Latest Frankenstein Trailer Highlights Its Gothic Influence

Guillermo del Toro is well known for his work in the gothic genre. He’s one of the few filmmakers who really gets what makes this style so appealing. The roots of gothic fiction can be found in a particular period of British literature. Authors like Mary Shelley were central to its growth, with novels such as Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and Dracula by Irish writer Bram Stoker being important examples. These stories used dark and unsettling imagery, complicated love stories, and frightening elements to both scare and fascinate readers. The genre focuses just as much on building a strong mood and feeling as it does on honoring classic character types, distinctive building designs, and a specific historical period.

Guillermo del Toro has consistently shown a love for Gothic stories in his films. While directors like Tim Burton also explore similar themes, no one captures the specific mood and romantic feel of Gothic storytelling quite like del Toro. His filmography offers strong examples of this, though Nightmare Alley and parts of The Shape of Water also showcase it. It’s important to distinguish these from his more straightforward horror or action movies. While Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth do acknowledge the genre to some extent, they are fundamentally different types of films.

I’m already so hyped for del Toro’s Frankenstein! Knowing how amazing he is with gothic stories, this feels like a perfect fit. The genre just *feels* right in his hands – all that gloom and a kind of dark, fascinating sadness that humans have always wrestled with. And the teaser is already showing so much of that. Visually, it’s stunning; every single shot looks like a dark, twisted painting, giving you a glimpse into a world full of secrets. They’re keeping Frankenstein’s Monster hidden for most of the teaser, but what we *do* see suggests he’ll be a more thoughtful, misunderstood creature, which I think is a really interesting take. I can’t wait!

Del Toro understands the importance of romance in the story, or rather, the absence of it. Although Victor Frankenstein is in love with his adopted sister and eventual wife, Elizabeth Lavenza, it’s the monster who longs for a companion. This yearning for love and feeling isolated powers the creature, and it seems del Toro’s Frankenstein will explore these ideas fully. The film will feature violence, as well as the themes surrounding Victor’s ambition to control life like a god. In fact, the creator is fixated on his own creation – a different type of love that defines his bond with Frankenstein’s Monster. The monster, in turn, looks to Victor as a father figure, all while grappling with how society perceives him.

Guillermo del Toro Has Pulled Inspiration From Classic Monster Movies

The trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein suggests the monster may either embrace or succumb to his intense anger. It’s as if he’s becoming the very thing the world fears him to be. This echoes a central, complex idea from the original novel and a common theme in Gothic stories. He isn’t the only ‘bad’ character in Gothic literature who struggles with giving in to darker impulses. Many anti-heroes have been corrupted by desires like greed, lust, and especially, rage. Often, broken romantic relationships drive these decisions, and it seems del Toro is subtly exploring that idea here.

The monster in the trailer states that if his creator doesn’t show him affection, he’ll succumb to his darker impulses. This is a compelling demand, and it further emphasizes del Toro’s interpretation of the character. Notably, del Toro has openly discussed his inspirations, referencing several classic Gothic films to solidify his vision for this story. He’s drawn from previous adaptations of Mary Shelley’s work – some of the few that truly understood the meaning of her novels. He’s also been influenced by a somewhat unexpected source.

This discusses how Boris Karloff’s portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster affected him personally. Karloff’s breakout role in horror came with Frankenstein (1931), followed by Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939). These films developed the monster’s personality and reasons for acting, moving beyond a simple, flat character. They’ve greatly influenced all subsequent versions, with del Toro specifically highlighting the importance of Bride of Frankenstein in shaping his own interpretation. As with the original gothic stories, a romantic element will again be central to the narrative.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was connected to the promotion of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Music from the vampire movie was featured in early previews of Mary Shelley’s story, making it clear to viewers what influenced del Toro’s approach. This is significant, given that Bram Stoker’s Dracula has always been a divisive film. It treats its source material with great seriousness, has a very dark and gothic feel, and again explores themes of temptation and wrongdoing. While the film is quite controversial and some of its choices are weighty, it remains important to how the character has been portrayed on screen. Del Toro likely aims to have a similar impact with Frankenstein, creating a film that people will continue to talk about and debate for many years.

Past Variations of the Frankenstein Story Leaned Too Far Into Mad Science

Watching how Guillermo del Toro approached this, it’s become really clear to me that he’s actively steering clear of a mistake a lot of other creators have made. They *did* treat the story with respect, but they just didn’t seem to fully grasp what the novel’s gothic elements were truly about. Instead, they got caught up in something else, and it took their adaptation in a completely different direction. This version of Frankenstein is definitely going to explore the idea of ‘playing God,’ like we talked about before. The religious implications of that are pretty obvious, and you can see that imagery being used a lot. But it feels like past adaptations have really zeroed in on just one particular aspect.

Over and over, Victor Frankenstein is shown as a crazed scientist. People often use steampunk styles when imagining him, and actors tend to play up the dramatic side of the character. Many performers playing Frankenstein have been overly dramatic, making a big impression by yelling and screaming, as if completely overwhelmed by what he’s discovered. It’s gotten to the point where it feels like a joke, and lots of Halloween events and horror shows poke fun at the Victor Frankenstein character. He’s typically presented as being obsessed with the science itself, sometimes becoming a comedic figure. However, that’s not the Victor Frankenstein we find in Mary Shelley’s original novel, nor is it how he’s depicted in Guillermo del Toro’s film.

Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of the character promises to be more thoughtful and delicate. Instead of excitedly commanding his creation, he’s shown as someone who looks inward and is troubled by his own feelings. He embodies both fear and a strong desire to succeed, perhaps even mirroring the anger felt by the monster itself. This version of Victor appears as a parallel to his creation – captivated by love and losing focus on his work due to temptation. This interpretation reveals Guillermo del Toro’s deep understanding of the gothic style. If the film lives up to the trailer and its inspirations, it could be the most complete and compelling Frankenstein adaptation ever made. Early looks suggest the franchise has been revitalized, while still honoring the spirit of the original story.

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2025-10-05 04:08