Frankenstein

"Since the classic 1931 version starring Boris Karloff (and a few that came before it), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been the subject of countless film adaptations—some better and more meaningful than others. Now comes the Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro with his own version, and it must be said that, in its strict fidelity to Shelley’s novel, it doesn’t add much new. The story is exactly the same, with Dr. Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) playing God by bringing to life a monster assembled from pieces of other corpses (Jacob Elordi), who questions his reason for being and his place in the world. There are subtle changes, but Del Toro doesn’t seem to have much to add to a story already seen many times on screen. However, the film shines with its excellent production design—true to the director’s gothic influences—and a strong cast completed by Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz. It may not be the definitive or most innovative adaptation of Shelley’s novel, but it’s certainly one of the good ones."