Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein Ending Is A Lot Different Than The Classic Novel, But I Think I Prefer It

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Be warned: this contains spoilers for the endings of both Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Adapting a book for the screen is always risky, as something valuable often gets lost in the transition. However, occasionally a film truly shines and offers a fresh perspective on the original story. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is one of those exceptional adaptations. It not only captures the essence of Mary Shelley’s novel but also expands upon it in a meaningful way.

As a movie fan, I always knew Frankenstein would get re-made again and again – it’s just that story! And honestly, I’m really glad Guillermo del Toro, who gets horror and fantasy, didn’t try to copy the book exactly. He took some liberties with the ending, and it works! It’s his take on the classic monster story, and it’s beautifully poignant. Let’s dive into what he changed.

What Happens At The End Of The Frankenstein Book

I still vividly remember reading Frankenstein back in high school. It blew my mind to learn that this iconic monster story actually began as a novel penned by a 19-year-old woman way back in 1818! That book really stuck with me, and it’s remained a personal favorite ever since.

I was completely devastated reading Frankenstein. It’s heartbreaking how everything falls apart for Victor. First, his beloved wife, Elizabeth – they’d known each other forever and finally found love – is tragically killed by the creature he brought to life. Then, just when he’d reconnected with his father, he loses him too, seemingly from grief over everything that happened. Driven by revenge, Victor chases his monster to the freezing Arctic. That’s where he meets Robert Walton, the captain of a ship trying to reach the North Pole, and finally shares the whole incredible, and terrifying, story of how he built the creature from body parts and brought it to life with electricity.

Shortly after sharing his story with Walton, Victor dies. A few days later, Walton discovers the monster grieving over Victor’s body, where the creature expresses deep regret. The novel concludes with the monster abandoning Walton’s ship, utterly hopeless and determined to end his own life, feeling completely isolated. This ending powerfully emphasizes Shelley’s central theme: that human connection is essential for survival, and that both Victor and the monster, being outcasts from society, ultimately faced tragic and sorrowful fates.

If you’re interested in a special edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this deluxe illustrated version with artwork by MinaLima is available on Amazon. You can find it here: [View Deal]

What Happens At The End Of Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s film adaptation of Frankenstein mirrors the novel by presenting the story as Victor recounts his life to Walton near the end of his days. However, the movie makes some key changes. Notably, Elizabeth is initially engaged to Victor’s brother, William, and dislikes Victor intensely. The film expands Elizabeth’s role, showing her forming a connection with the monster and wanting to care for him. It seems Del Toro envisions Elizabeth identifying with the monster, both of them desiring freedom from Victor’s control and the way they are treated as possessions.

The monster in the movie, originally intended for Andrew Garfield, is portrayed as less violent than in the book, responsible for far fewer deaths. Instead of the monster directly killing Elizabeth, Victor accidentally shoots her during a chaotic attempt to destroy his creation on their wedding night. His brother also dies in the resulting confusion. Driven by grief and vengeance, Victor then tries to kill the monster, but this version of the creature appears nearly impossible to destroy. The monster, equally enraged, pursues Victor to the Arctic.

During their reunion on the ship, Victor isn’t dead yet. He asks the creature he made to forgive him. As he explains in the film:

Look, I’ve seen a lot of films, and this… this isn’t a story about escaping fate, it’s about embracing the sheer act of being. It’s a raw, almost desperate plea – a father telling his son, and honestly, telling himself, to let go of regret and just… live. It’s not about avoiding death, it’s about realizing that while you’re here, the only real option is to fully experience life, flaws and all. It’s surprisingly powerful, a simple message delivered with incredible weight. It’s less a plot and more a visceral, emotional command: just live.

The film ends with the creature offering forgiveness to Victor as he dies. He gently kisses Victor’s head, then departs the ship. Before leaving, he assists the crew in freeing their vessel from an iceberg and finds peace watching the sunrise, a moment that was particularly moving for me.

Why I Think I Like The Movie’s Ending Better

Compared to other versions, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is definitely more optimistic, even if it’s not entirely realistic. What I really appreciate is how it portrays Victor and his creation as a father and son. It’s a really moving idea. The film shows Victor as a damaged father, haunted by his own father’s failure to save his mother – something we see early on. He then carries that trauma into creating the creature. However, instead of being angry at Victor for bringing him into a difficult life, the creature ultimately finds peace by forgiving him and choosing to live, following Victor’s advice.

Mary Shelley’s original Frankenstein is flawless, and I wouldn’t dream of altering her vision. However, I really appreciate del Toro’s choice to end the adaptation with a hopeful note, showing the creature finding gratitude and understanding of humanity through his relationship with Victor. It gave me a fresh perspective on the story’s themes, particularly how they relate to family, and it’s a movie I know I’ll remember for a long time. This is easily one of the best films of 2025.

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2025-11-08 01:11