A highly anticipated film by Guillermo del Toro starring Oscar Issac, Jacob Elordi, Christoph Walt and Mia Goth; created for Netflix no less! I have never read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (although it’s on my TBR) and I have never watched any movie adaptations so this was truly a first impression of the story.

Taking a look on IMDB, there are a lot of mixed reviews, but personally, I loved the whole thing from start to finish. It was a lengthy film, but there was no part that felt dragged on. It was a perfect reflection of humanity, and honestly, it was heart wrenching.

The film is split into three parts I would say – you see things from Victor Frankenstein’s perspective, then the monster, and then you have present day. The majority of the film is in past tense, showing how we get to the present day but the flashbacks are lengthy, only occasionally dragging you out to remind you that it is a story.

There is so much to love about this film. Firstly, the cinematography is fantastic. Every shot feels carefully planned out and guides you through the story. The settings are stunning but visually, it’s an incredibly pleasing film. Especially the colour grading. The moments with the monster are very cool-toned. Whenever Elizabeth (Mia Goth) is present, there is a much warmer tone throughout. Her absence brings that coldness in multiple scenes.

Jacob Elordi does a brilliant job of portraying the monster. The initial scenes feel as though some inspiration was taken from Gollum in Lord of The Rings. The movements of the monster do mimic that of Gollum but then again, it is supposed to feel primitive.

The division of the story into two parts allows us a chance to follow the most interesting story. I was concerned that it might show the same story twice, but from different perspectives. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Instead, we get to see what happens to the monster.

Moving onto the story – this film showcases perfectly the complexity of humankind. It all starts with the desperation to find a way to bring immortality into actuality. A way to cheat death. That then turns into a desperation to show power and excellence above everyone else. Bring in a love interest, and suddenly a “true purpose” is found. Once the unachievable has been achieved, we see the downfall as there is no “next” step.

The other part of the story is seeing how people treat something or someone different. The fear and violence that occurs when the unknown is faced. Cruelty is met with cruelty.

Finally, the third part of the story is showcasing the privilege of being human. That death is a mercy that we are lucky to have as opposed to eternal suffering. You might also be able to take away a religious standpoint about that – eternal suffering is the worst thing that can happen.

Ultimately, it’s a great film that brings a great story, to life. Every cast member portrays their characters perfectly and we are able to enjoy it as entertainment or also take things a little deeper and do some self-reflection. Be grateful for the life we are given, and be kind to others we cross paths with.