Frankenstein (2025) #512

    Based on the classic novel, "Frankenstein" is a 2025 film directed by Guillermo del Toro, premiering on Netflix. It's a beautiful film to watch, from the amazing set pieces, locations, and costuming. The film is more inspired that an adaptation of the novel, especially when it concerns Victor's storyline. Luckily the film is split into two parts, and the second half is focused on the Creature which is much more accurate to the source material. The pacing varies at times, and with a runtime of 2 hours and 29 minutes, the film does feel a bit over long.

    The movie opens with the accurate beginning with Victor boarding a ship that is trying to reach the North Pole but is stuck in ice. After the crew has a brief encounter with the Creature, Victor tells the captain the story that eventually led him here. He explains how his mother died giving birth to his younger brother, and how this event led him into becoming a skilled but arrogant surgeon whose primary goal is to find a cure for death. He is expelled from school after an experiment but is hired by Henrich, an arms dealer, and prepares a fantastical laboratory. During this time, he meets his brother's fiancée, Elizabeth, falls in love with her, is rejected, and learns that Henrich wants his brain implanted in the body that Victor is building. 

    

    Victor refuses Henrich's request, Henrich dies in an accident, the experiment takes place, and Victor is distraught when he thinks everything has failed. The next day, however, Victor finds that the Creature is alive and has great strength and healing abilities but seems mentally limited after only learning and repeating the word "Victor". As Elizabeth bonds with the Creature, William discovers that Henrich is dead, and Victor blames his death on the Creature. After William and Elizabeth leave, Victor sets the lab of fire with the creature inside. Hearing his name, Victor tries to rescue the Creature but is severely injured.

    The second half of the movie begins with the Creature boarding the ship and telling the Captain his side of the story. And this is where the movie aligns with the novel that we all know and love. The Creature survives the explosion and takes refuge at a small farm. Over the next few months, the Creature learns to speak and read from the blind patriarch. One day the blind man is attacked by wolves, and when the Creature tries to save him, he is seen by the blind mans family who attack the Creature at once. They leave him for dead, but the Creature soon heals from his wounds and discovers that he can not die, at least by violence. He tracks Victor down and demands that he creates a companion for him, which Victor refuses to do. The Creature attacks Victor, and Elizabeth is mortally wounded while trying to stop the fight. The Creature takes Elizabeth to cave where she dies. Victor chases the Creature until they arrive in the Arctic, where they finally come to terms and Victor dies. Taking all of this as a sign, the Captain and his crew abandon their plans for the North Pole, and the Creature remains in the icy abyss.