Imagine creating life, only to realize you've unleashed a tragic curse upon the world. That's the core of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, and a new clip just dropped showing the chilling moment Victor brings his Monster to life! But here's where it gets controversial: del Toro doesn't consider it a horror film, despite the bloody violence. Let's dive into the details.
Horror fans, rejoice! After years of anticipation, Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is almost here. This dream project, set up at Netflix, is hitting select theaters on October 17th, followed by its Netflix premiere on November 7th. To whet your appetite, a tantalizing clip showcasing the pivotal moment of the Monster's creation has been released. You can find the clip at the end of this article.
JoBlo's Chris Bumbray has already seen the film, giving it a 7/10 rating in his review (check it out at https://www.joblo.com/frankenstein-tiff-review/). The film delves into Victor Frankenstein's hubris – his arrogant desire to unlock eternal life and his descent into madness. Driven by these forces, he creates life without considering the consequences for the creature he brings into existence, a being condemned to an eternal, wretched existence. The official logline summarizes it perfectly: "Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation."
The star-studded cast includes Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) as Victor Frankenstein, Mia Goth (Pearl), Jacob Elordi (Saltburn) as the Monster, Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones). Keep an eye out for Ralph Ineson (The Witch) in a crucial cameo. Fun fact: Andrew Garfield was initially cast as the Monster, but scheduling conflicts forced him to drop out, with Jacob Elordi stepping in to fill the role. Talk about a significant casting change!
Del Toro's passion for Frankenstein has been brewing for over a decade. Years ago, the project was set up at Universal, with creature actor extraordinaire Doug Jones (The Shape of Water) slated to play the Monster. Pre-production advanced to the point where Jones even saw a Monster bust inspired by Bernie Wrightson's artwork in an illustrated adaptation of Shelley's novel. Wrightson dedicated seven years to that illustrated edition, highlighting the enduring power of the story. Sadly, that version fell apart. Now, it's finally seeing the light of day thanks to Netflix, who previously collaborated with del Toro on Pinocchio and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.
And this is the part most people miss: While del Toro describes Frankenstein as "an incredibly emotional movie" and doesn't categorize it as horror, the Motion Picture Association has slapped it with an R rating. Why? For "bloody violence and grisly images." So, while the director might downplay the horror elements, the MPA's rating suggests otherwise. Is it a tragic drama with horrific elements, or a full-blown horror film masquerading as something more?
So, are you excited for Guillermo del Toro's take on Frankenstein? Watch the "giving life to the Monster" clip below, and then jump into the comments! What do you think of del Toro's approach? Do you agree with him that it's not a horror film, or does the R rating tell a different story? What are your expectations for Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the Monster? Let's discuss!
