“Frankenstein” was released on Netflix in November 2025. The film, which stars Jacob Elordi as the monster and Oscar Isaac as Dr. Frankenstein, is a reimagined gothic science fiction tale based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel by the same name. “Frankenstein” won three Oscars at the 98th Academy Awards in March, 2026.
Set in a gothic Europe, the story follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a mad scientist obsessed with conquering death. This leads to an experiment to resurrect a human being from the dead. Meanwhile, he is also in love with his brother’s fiancée, Elizabeth (Mia Goth), who builds a connection with the monster he created.
Guillermo Del Toro’s film is one out of hundreds of adaptations; there are over 480 feature films and 243 short films identified in 2026 that feature the Frankenstein monster. However, Del Toro’s film stands out by offering an alternative perspective on the typical horror monster.
He characterized the monster as a human creature who is deeply empathetic and ultimately more human at heart than his creator. Accordingly, the monster and human roles were reversed. The creature is innocent and caring while Dr. Frankenstein is contrastingly narcissistic and apathetic.
The characters’ paradoxical archetypes are highlighted by the movie’s dual-perspective format. The first half follows Dr. Frankenstein, while the second half is told from the perspective of the unnamed, resurrected creature, resulting in a dramatic conclusion in the finale.
The film explores themes of abandonment, forbidden knowledge and defining humanity. Specifically, the concept of humanity versus monstrosity is most notable when examining the distorted relationship between creator and creation. Ethical questions are also raised when determining the moral responsibility a creator has to their creation.
Del Toro is an expert at using color theory to “show not tell.” He is well known for using colors—especially the primary colors—to deliver an emotional atmosphere; every shade is intentional and symbolic. For Frankenstein specifically, each character was assigned a representative color.
For example, red represents Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s intense passion and violence. A bright and organic green symbolizes Elizabeth’s compassion and nature’s purity.
The creature first appears with a bluish white color surrounded by a blood red atmosphere. The initial thoughts of a viewer are that he doesn’t look like the classic Frankenstein monster with green skin. Instead, he has the complexion of a newborn creature, showing his innocence in a world surrounded by malice, as depicted by the red.
“Frankenstein” features a hopeful ending that leaves the viewer feeling satisfied. Diverging from Shelley’s novel where both characters end up dead, the film ends in the forgiveness and reconciliation between creator and creation after they recognize their mutual humanity. This uplifting ending emphasizes compassion and living connection.
From masterfully built characters to complex color theory, “Frankenstein” secured nine Academy Award nominations, winning three. The film also had five Golden Globe nominations and 11 nominations for the 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards. Its success lies in the creative and inspiring mind behind this timeless adaptation.