82nd VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
- ultimatetrendymag
- Sep 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Shown in official competition, the film received a thunderous reception: a standing ovation lasting between 13 and 14 minutes, moving both the director and his cast to tears.
Article and photos by Marco Lorè
Guillermo del Toro / Credits: Marco Lorè
The movie is visually stunning, showcasing the director’s signature gothic design, meticulous costumes, and evocative cinematography.
Del Toro’s personal touch is unmistakable, finally realizing a project he had long dreamed of bringing to the screen.
At the heart of the film is Jacob Elordi, delivering a raw and emotional performance as the Creature.
His portrayal transforms the monster into a tragic, deeply human figure—evoking empathy and identification rather than fear.
Many critics already see Elordi as a serious contender for awards season.
Opposite him, Oscar Isaac plays a tormented Victor Frankenstein, though some reviews suggest his performance leans toward the overly theatrical, lacking the nuanced balance of the Creature’s arc.
Not all reactions were glowing.
Some critics argued that, while visually spectacular, the film occasionally feels melodramatic or narratively shallow.
Others pointed to its length (about 149 minutes) and stretches of heavy-handed exposition that slow the pace.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Breathtaking visuals and gothic mood | Sometimes melodramatic, lacking narrative depth |
Jacob Elordi’s moving performance | Over-explained scenes and occasional excess |
Bold, personal artistic vision | Long runtime and uneven pacing |
Huge emotional impact (standing ovation) | Oscar Isaac’s portrayal sometimes over the top |
With Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro delivers an emotionally charged and visually powerful reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic.
The film isn’t flawless—it can feel overlong and a bit heavy-handed—but its haunting atmosphere and Elordi’s soulful creature make it one of the most talked-about works of the festival.
