Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed Mexican director, has made it clear that his upcoming adaptation of Frankenstein is not a horror film. Instead, del Toro describes it as a deeply personal and emotional story centered on familial bonds, particularly the complex relationship between father and son.
The film, based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, is set to star Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who creates a remarkable yet tragic creature. Alongside Isaac, the cast includes Mia Goth, Jacob Elordi, and Christoph Waltz. This long-gestating project, over two decades in the making, finally came to fruition through del Toro’s collaboration with Netflix.
Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival in an interview with Variety, del Toro revealed that he consciously avoided typical horror tropes and frightening scenes often associated with the genre. “This is a touching and very personal story,” he said, “I explore what it means to be a father and a son… I have never made a horror movie, nor did I intend to make one.”
Del Toro’s take on Frankenstein is inspired not only by Shelley’s novel but also by early film adaptations such as the 1931 classic and its sequel Bride of Frankenstein. The director, known for his mastery of dark fantasy and horror, aims to present the story with empathy and emotional depth, emphasizing the tragic humanity of the creature.
For del Toro, Frankenstein is his most intimate project to date. “This character has become part of my soul, like a memoir,” he told Variety. Fans can expect a visually rich film that weaves elements of the director’s personal experiences into the narrative, focusing on themes of identity, creation, and the struggles of parental love.
Frankenstein is scheduled for release on Netflix in November 2025.
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