The monster has arrived in Venice! Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated ‘Frankenstein,’ featuring Oscar Isaac as Victor and Jacob Elordi as the creature, just premiered at the film festival. What gothic wonders await in this epic adaptation?
The cinematic world is abuzz as visionary director Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, “Frankenstein,” made its grand debut at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. This world premiere event, drawing significant attention from film enthusiasts and critics alike, featured the arrival of its acclaimed stars, Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, signaling the official kickoff for what promises to be a major awards season contender for this Netflix original film.
Oscar Isaac steps into the complex shoes of Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant yet tormented scientist responsible for bringing life to his monstrous creation. Opposite him, Jacob Elordi delivers a compelling performance as the eponymous Monster, portraying the creature’s journey from a nascent, childlike being to a figure grappling with existence and abandonment, a central theme of the Frankenstein movie.
For Guillermo del Toro, this adaptation represents the culmination of a decades-long artistic ambition. He has openly expressed that creating “Frankenstein” has been a lifelong dream, a project he has meticulously prepared for over 30 years, pouring his distinctive gothic aesthetic and profound understanding of classic horror into every frame of this cinematic endeavor.
Reflecting on the monumental task now completed, del Toro candidly shared his feelings of “postpartum depression,” a testament to the intense creative and emotional investment in bringing his vision to life. The film itself is described as a gothic feast of meticulously designed sets and atmospheric storytelling, promising audiences an immersive and visually stunning experience from the acclaimed director.
Actor Oscar Isaac recounted del Toro’s inspiring words before production began, with the director metaphorically inviting him to a “banquet” where Isaac merely needed to “show up and eat.” This approach speaks volumes about del Toro’s confidence in his artistic blueprint and his trust in his actors to inhabit the rich world he constructs.
Jacob Elordi joined the Frankenstein film production relatively late, yet he swiftly immersed himself in the challenging role of the Monster. He found it surprisingly relatable to embody the creature’s innocent, bewildered nature, suggesting a nuanced portrayal that delves deeper than typical interpretations of Shelley’s iconic character.
The Venice Film Festival holds special significance for del Toro, as it was there that his previous work, “The Shape of Water,” garnered the festival’s top prize before going on to sweep major Academy Awards in 2018, including Best Picture and Best Director. Netflix, without a Best Picture Oscar in its current arsenal, is heavily banking on the awards season potential of this new Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein adaptation, following the success of “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.”
The early buzz surrounding “Frankenstein” and its esteemed cast, including additional talents like Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, and Felix Kammerer, suggests a formidable presence on the awards circuit. With its premiere generating considerable excitement and critical discussion, the film is poised to be a significant contender, further solidifying del Toro’s legacy as a master storyteller.
