First Look at Guillermo del Toro‘s “Frankenstein” Starring Oscar Isaac

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Netflix has unveiled an initial glimpse of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” project, with a scheduled release date set for November!

The latest image (up top) features Oscar Isaac, playing the central mad scientist, clutching an enigmatic vial. At a recent Netflix event, writer and director del Toro unveiled some footage and gave a pre-recorded message, highlighting a “Frankenstein”-themed room in his notorious L.A. residence known as “Bleak House.

This movie has been a constant thought for me since my childhood, spanning over five decades. For approximately 20 to 25 years, I’ve been attempting to bring it to life. Some might even say I have an intense fascination with ‘Frankenstein,'” he noted, eliciting laughter as he pointed towards the numerous themed figurines in the room behind him.

In this new footage, directed by Guillermo del Toro himself, we see Timothée Chalamet’s Victor Frankenstein confronting Mia Goth, who plays an affluent aristocrat. Additionally, we catch a quick peek at Jacob Elordi as the Frankenstein monster, looming over Chalamet’s bed with long black hair, patchwork gray skin, and a hint of red in his eyes.

The Wrap reports:

The scene begins by showing Dr. Frankenstein (played by Oscar Isaac), endeavoring to bring life back to a partially deceased body in a hospital setting. A group of Victorian physicians express their disapproval as he carries out his experiment, which appears similar to an old-fashioned mechanical creature, made up of a torso and head.

Christoph Waltz arrives, promising an inexhaustible supply of resources to a distressed young doctor, as we observe Victor Frankenstein scouring a battlefield for body parts. A chilling scene unfolds where the doctor carves through muscle tissue as if it were roast beef. Scenes from the operating table and the assembled creature are briefly shown, pieced together haphazardly. The doctor frantically thumps on the monster’s chest, but to no avail; it remains motionless.

After a startling awakening, Frankenstein finds Jacob Elordi’s character standing at the end of his bed. This initiates a series of visual scenes – a woman lying in a coffin, a castle shrouded by ice, and ultimately, a clearer view of the monster’s face as he addresses a gathering in a tavern, declaring that he will share his tale.

In my critique, I find the cinematic portrayal of this creature to bear a striking resemblance to the iconic illustrations of Bernie Wrightson, originally unveiled by Marvel Comics in 1983. The character sports an ominous tangle of stringy black hair, with a slender, sinewy physique that exudes a sense of raw, primal power. His deep-set, soulful eyes seem to hold the weight of a thousand stories, captivating viewers and stirring emotions.

Del Toro’s adaptation of “Frankenstein” has a rich, dramatic feel reminiscent of an opera; among his works, it might be most similar to the overlooked Gothic romance “Crimson Peak,” released in 2015.

“Frankenstein” comes alive only on Netflix this November.

via Variety

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2025-02-04 21:45