David R. Walker

Frankenstein

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Charles Dance, David Bradley, Christian Convery

Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Film Rating: 8 out of 10

Please note this film is only available on Netflix

Ever since Mexican director Guillermo del Toro burst onto the cinema world stage with his extraordinary Oscar winning Spanish language film Pan’s Labyrinth twenty years ago in 2006, del Toro has been a director to watch. He helmed such brilliant films as The Shape of Water and Nightmare Alley.  Now del Toro takes on with relish the Victorian Gothic re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror novel Frankenstein.

With Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein we get the perspective of both the inventor and the creature which has been invented. The monster in this case is expertly played by rising star, the tall and handsome Australian actor Jacob Elordi (Saltburn). Elordi’s performance is brilliant as the naïve, immortal but super-strong monster who only understands that men are cruel and violent.

Frankenstein is set in mid 19^th century Europe and all praise has to go the superb costume designs by Kate Hawley and the stunning production design by Tamara Deverell. Frankenstein is a dark and contemplative film about the nature of creation and the ethics of Dr Frankenstein brilliantly played by Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year) who should have also received an Oscar nomination.

Frankenstein is supported by an array of talented character actors expertly chosen for their menace and their beauty. Charles Dance (White Mischief, Gosforth Park, The Imitation Game) plays Victor Frankenstein’s cruel father Baron Frankenstein and Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained) plays the scheming and wealthy arms manufacturer Harlander and Felix Kamerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) plays Frankenstein’s unsuspecting younger brother William.

Then there is radiance of Mia Goth as Elizabeth resplendent in dazzling Victorian outfits which sets her quite apart from the vicious and egotistical men. Goth’s character is the only one that feels true compassion for the Creature and he reciprocates his feelings for the gorgeous Elizabeth without realizing his own desire.

Frankenstein is superbly told from two opposing perspectives, but at the heart of such a lavish and spectacular film which beautifully captures the Victorian Gothic obsession with creatures and the afterlife, death and destruction, is a captivating performance by Jacob Elordi who physically embodies the awkwardness of the creature, it’s vulnerability and strength. The fact that Elordi is very tall made him the perfect actor to play the creature so savagely reassembled.

Frankenstein is beautifully done, violent and extraordinary, cruel and dazzling.

Director Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a cinematic feast to behold and is highly recommended viewing. Frankenstein gets a film rating of 8 out of 10.

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