Beautiful sets. Amazing makeup. Familiar faces. All these details are present in Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 Oscar-nominated movie: “Frankenstein.” A Gothic romance tragedy that follows a bright but egotistical doctor, Victor Frankenstein, as he creates life from the dead—something that makes his life better, but worse at the same time.
The original “Frankenstein novel” was written by Mary Shelley and published in 1818. Shelley came up with the idea during a ghost story competition with her friends while staying near Lake Geneva in the summer of 1816. That year became known as “the year without a summer” because constant rainfall and cold weather kept them indoors. With plenty of time during this gloomy vacation, Shelley began writing what would become a globally famous novel, with various film and story adaptations to follow.
However, nothing is quite like Guillermo del Toro’s film “Frankenstein” (2025). Del Toro read the story and watched the classic 1931 adaptation, and he views the monster as a misunderstood being rather than simply a creature of horror. He has said he wants to give a “voice to the voiceless,” which inspired him to create his own vision of the story for modern audiences.
Del Toro’s film creates an entirely new world that immerses viewers immediately. “Frankenstein’s” fresh look and fantasy-like sets bring a new vibe to the tale that no one in the past has been able to achieve, and one that will be difficult to replicate. The movie is meant for a more mature audience, as it includes intense body horror, yet it is still done beautifully to fit del Toro’s vision.
Designer Mike Hill demonstrates his talent through the film’s makeup and artistic detail. From Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of Victor Frankenstein creating the monster stitch by stitch, to the death of Christoph Waltz’s character, Heinrich Harlander, Hill shows how gruesome yet fascinating the human body can be through his special effects makeup. Hill aimed for a “newer” look for the creature instead of the classicged version seen in past adaptations. These choices make the film stand out.aging of it that has been done in past adaptations. These touches make the film different from anything else done before.
Tamara Deverell, the film’s set designer, creates an elaborate Gothic environment with fantasy elements that build del Toro’s world. The sets, constructed in Scotland, include a massive multi-storied laboratory, an ice-bound German ship, and other 19th-century European settings. The intricate details in each location bring the story to life and transport viewers to another time.
Jacob Elordi, who plays the creature and was nominated for the role,
does an excellent job portraying the naivety of a new life. His body language and speech make it feel like watching someone grow and mature through experiences—breaking out of the laboratory, learning to speak, and ultimately seeking revenge on Victor Frankenstein. Elordi’s range is impressive, balancing innocence with a shift toward vengeance.
Overall, del Toro’s film is worth watching, as it offers a fresh and visually striking take on a familiar story.
