Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ Set to Haunt Screens Soon

LOS ANGELES, CA – After over 50 years of passion, Guillermo del Toro‘s adaptation of Mary Shelley‘s classic ‘Frankenstein’ is finally making its debut in theaters. The film will premiere on October 17 and stream on Netflix starting November 7.

Del Toro, known for his Oscar-winning film ‘The Shape of Water,’ has long been fascinated by Shelley’s work, having fallen in love with it at the tender age of seven. At a recent Hollywood premiere, del Toro shared his motivation for bringing ‘Frankenstein’ to the screen. He expressed, ‘To me, [the message] is to reconnect emotionally to the idea of the power of forgiveness and acceptance. It’s not a blockbuster or a franchise; it speaks very directly and autobiographically.’

The film explores the theme of a misunderstood monster, a recurring motif in del Toro’s filmography. This theme was highlighted by both composer Alexandre Desplat and lead actor Jacob Elordi. Desplat stated, ‘It’s all about respect and love for the other,’ emphasizing the Greek concept of ‘xenophilia,’ or love for the stranger. Elordi, who plays the Creature, remarked, ‘I think this film demands that we’re hopeful… and that we see the beauty.’

Mia Goth portrays Elizabeth Lavenza and admitted to feeling apprehensive before filming alongside del Toro. ‘I’ve never been so scared stepping into a movie,’ she confessed. ‘I kept thinking, “Guillermo del Toro is making ‘Frankenstein,’ and I get to be a part of that.”’ However, she learned to overcome her fears through meditation, aiming to embody her character’s essence.

Oscar Isaac, who plays Dr. Frankenstein, praised del Toro’s ability to instill confidence in actors. ‘He said, “You cannot fail. I made this bespoke for you.”’ His personal approach mirrors the original spirit with which Mary Shelley penned her novel.

Celebrity Felix Kammerer, cast as Dr. Frankenstein’s brother, recalled his initial meeting with del Toro at the 2023 Oscars. ‘Two weeks later, my agent called me, saying Guillermo del Toro wants to talk to you,’ he shared, relishing the opportunity.

Producer Scott Stuber commented on the long journey to bring ‘Frankenstein’ to life, saying, ‘This was the right time for Guillermo to understand the themes and mythology he wants to tell.’ As excitement builds leading to the release, fans eagerly await del Toro’s imaginative take on this timeless tale.