Frankenstein
“In seeking life, I created death”
Guillermo Del Torro has done it again, he’s found a way to bring humanity into these other worldly creatures. We get a fresh but still faithful adaptation to Frankenstein. Exploring the themes of loneliness in a world where the creature is rejected by the world, obsession for Victor as someone who’s playing God, determined at all costs to bring life into his creature.
Beautiful cinematography all around, so many visually unique shots in this thing, 1855 has never looked more alive in a film. I feel like this kind of film could only work in this time period, I can’t even imagine what a modern Frankenstein would be like but Guillermo Del Torro took full advantage of his vision here.
The dynamic between the creator and the creation was really interesting to me. As the weight of more responsibility grew for Victor the more he seemed to push away his creation and resent what he brought into this world. The creature’s story comparatively to Victor’s was such a great contrast, but still so many similar elements between them both. Victor being from a emotionally abusive household with his father and then years later Victor would go on to display the same behaviors to the creature.
The humanity in the creature was brought alive exceptionally, and they did a great job at showcasing how it doesn’t necessarily take just flesh and bones to be considered “human” it takes righteousness, good will, compassion and sympathy for one another. Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac’s performances here were incredible and they completely embodied these iconic and complex roles all while still making it their own.