Hot Take: I Think Frankenstein Is Guillermo Del Toro’s Best Movie

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Guillermo del Toro’s new take on Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix, and in my opinion, it’s his best film to date. I’ve been a fan of his work for years – I really enjoyed Pacific Rim, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Hellboy, and even found The Shape of Water unsettling – but this one truly stands out.

Despite everything, I firmly believe that in the years to come, filmmakers will recognize Frankenstein as Guillermo del Toro’s greatest achievement. It might seem surprising, considering it was mainly made for streaming and he’s directed many critically acclaimed films, but let me explain my reasoning.

Guillermo Del Toro Has The Perfect Style That Compliments Classic Monster Stories

Guillermo del Toro is a brilliant horror director, but his approach feels a little different from what’s popular today. Modern horror often relies on shocking gore and disturbing images, while del Toro prefers to find the beauty within the grotesque and present it in a romantic way. It’s as if his unique style doesn’t quite fit the current trends in the genre.

As a big Guillermo del Toro fan, I always find it interesting how much discussion still surrounds The Shape of Water. It’s critically acclaimed – it even won Best Picture at the Oscars! – but it also sparks a lot of debate, particularly around whether the central relationship veers into problematic territory. I’m not going to wade into that argument here, but if you’re curious about what people are talking about, a quick online search will fill you in on the conversation.

Watching Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein brought back memories of why I enjoyed Crimson Peak. While I was initially let down by Crimson Peak – it wasn’t as frightening as the trailer suggested – I was captivated by its stunning and haunting visuals. Del Toro has a knack for presenting unsettling imagery in a way that is strangely beautiful and captivating.

His Vision Of Frankenstein Results In A Creature That Feels More Real Than The Original

It might not be a fair comparison, but no version of Frankenstein has been as iconic as the 1931 film with Boris Karloff, despite how much filmmaking has changed. For generations, most people have pictured the monster as having a flat head, neck bolts, and green skin – and I realize now how strange that image actually is.

One of the best things about the new Frankenstein adaptation is how Jacob Elordi portrays the creature. He truly looks like a being brought back to life – especially considering Victor Frankenstein is supposed to be a brilliant surgeon. You’d expect him to use the best possible body parts, not just grab the first corpse he found, in his attempt to overcome death. It makes sense that the creature would be assembled from the most perfect pieces of many bodies, rather than a single one.

I’ve seen the comparisons between the Engineer from Prometheus and Jacob Elordi, and I think they’re spot on. The Engineer always struck me as physically perfect, so it makes sense that someone trying to create a human would use only the best genetic material – resulting in a similar appearance. Hopefully, all this talk about Prometheus will remind people how good Frankenstein is – it’s a truly underrated classic!

It Took Nearly A Century, But Mary Shelley’s Book Finally Has The Film Adaptation it Deserves

Published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was followed over a century later by the famous Universal film adaptation. While a classic, the film is more significant for its impact on Hollywood – it essentially launched the monster movie genre – than for being a particularly faithful adaptation of the book. Considering it was made during the early days of filmmaking, it’s not surprising that the movie seems a bit rough around the edges by today’s standards.

More On Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Is A Little Different Than Expected, But Nails An Important Theme

Despite many years passing since the original, Hollywood hadn’t managed to create a Frankenstein film that surpassed Universal’s classic—until now. Guillermo del Toro’s version feels like a long-awaited and truly essential adaptation.

Everyone should ideally read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a truly famous book. However, since that’s not always possible, a popular streaming adaptation is a great way to ensure the story and its characters continue to be known and appreciated for years to come.

As a film buff, I think it’s fascinating how relevant Frankenstein still is today. With technology advancing so quickly and us constantly questioning what it means to be human, the story really hits home when it comes to the consequences of trying to cheat death. While escaping death sounds great, this new film from Guillermo del Toro beautifully shows how even immortality can become a curse – decades of loneliness can make anyone long for the peace of oblivion. Honestly, I believe this remake was absolutely necessary, and I’ll happily argue that it’s Guillermo del Toro’s most important – and best – work to date.

You can now watch Frankenstein on Netflix, and the platform has a lot more new movies coming soon. I love discovering hidden gems on Netflix, and with the holidays approaching, it’s the perfect time to do so! Plus, talking about movies is a great way to steer clear of awkward conversations.

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2025-11-18 17:11