Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ Isn’t a Horror Movie—Get the Real StoryInside

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As an ardent admirer, I can hardly contain my excitement for Guillermo del Toro’s forthcoming adaptation of “Frankenstein,” set to premiere on Netflix in November. Yet, even before its release, del Toro managed to pique our curiosity during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Engaging in a conversation with the film’s Academy Award-winning composer, Alexandre Desplat, del Toro shared some intriguing insights about his interpretation of Mary Shelley’s timeless tale. While in France, the celebrated director hinted at something unexpected for fans of the genre: he considers his “Frankenstein” not as a horror film, at least that’s the notion he conveyed during Cannes. Del Toro himself stated:

> “My vision for Frankenstein is not a traditional horror film.

A person inquired recently if the story contains genuinely frightening moments. For the first time, I pondered over this query. To me, it’s an intensely emotional narrative, deeply personal. It delves into questions about fatherhood and sonship. I am not involved with horror movies – that’s never been on my agenda. I have no intention of creating a horror film.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but get excited at the prospect of Guillermo Del Toro and Alexandre Desplat joining forces once more, this time on their upcoming Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein. Their collaboration on The Shape of Water in 2017 earned them both Oscars, and it’s no surprise that their next project is shaping up to be an unmissable cinematic event. Desplat himself has echoed Del Toro’s sentiments, stating that Frankenstein won’t be approached as a traditional horror film. Here’s what he had to say about his upcoming score:

Guillermo’s films are quite poetic, and my music has a similar quality. Therefore, I believe that the music for ‘Frankenstein’ will be exceptionally poetic and moving. I am not aiming to create terrifying music.

Del Toro quickly added:

“We’re finding the emotion. And what I can say is, for me, it’s an incredibly emotional movie.”

A Classic Comedy Inspired Guillermo del Toro to Sympathize With Frankenstein’s Monster

It’s been eight months since an initial, unofficial image of the talented yet mad scientist (Oscar Isaac) who brought his notorious Monster to life in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, surfaced online. There’s no denying that Universal’s 1931 adaptation featuring Boris Karloff left a significant impact on del Toro, who openly acknowledged at Cannes that it was actually a 1955 movie which sparked the inspiration for the acclaimed filmmaker to portray the Frankenstein Monster with empathy. Del Toro further shared during the same conversation at the French film festival that this classic film was his motivation for approaching the Frankenstein Monster with compassion.

For the first time, I believed I could show kindness rather than revenge towards the mysterious being, and that moment came when Marilyn Monroe emerged on screen in ‘The Seven Year Itch’, with Tom Ewell. She expressed that the creature merely needed someone to appreciate him. In that instant, I found myself captivated by Marilyn’s charm and empathizing with the creature. At a young age, this scene taught me an important lesson – that often, it’s not about how others perceive us, but about finding those who see us in a positive light.

Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” will be available on Netflix starting November. Joining Isaac, who plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, is a star-studded cast that includes Jacob Elordi from “Euphoria,” who portrays the Monster. He has been praised for his exceptional performance as Elvis Presley in the 2023 film “Priscilla.

In the upcoming Netflix adaptation titled “Frankenstein,” Mia Goth is set to embody the legendary character Elizabeth, as originally depicted in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel of the same name. Christoph Waltz steps into the shoes previously filled by Ernest Thesiger, portraying Dr. Pretorius, who made a memorable appearance in Universal Pictures’ acclaimed 1935 sequel “Bride of Frankenstein.” Additionally, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, and Charles Dance.

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2025-05-19 16:02