Why Guillermo Del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' Has Fans Divided Over Its Take on Mary Shelley’s Classic

Masterfully stitched together: The only problem with Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ is that most people will see it on Netflix, not the big screen

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is finally complete—a sumptuous Netflix production that stands as one of his very best films, and one of the best takes on Mary Shelley’s legendary monster. Del Toro takes some liberties as he leans toward the supernatural in his depiction of Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and his madness-inspired dance with reanimating the dead. It’s 2 1/2 hours of Del Toro at his finest. At the center of the film is Jacob E…

Why Guillermo del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' Has Fans Divided Over Its Take on Mary Shelley’s Classic

Two ELLE editors hash out the biggest differences between Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein" book and the Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film.

Why Frankenstein's Ending Has People So Angry (And Why They're Wrong)

Frankenstein fans have been furious with Guillermo del Toro's decision to include a quote from Lord Byron in the film. Is the anger warranted or misguided?

Netflix’s Frankenstein Adaptation: Faithful to Mary Shelley’s Novel?

Netflix’s new adaptation of Frankenstein has reignited debate among fans and critics alike, with many questioning whether the film captures the essence of Mary Shelley’s original novel or diverges too far from its literary roots.

Ambitious adaptation misses the mark with ‘Frankenstein’

3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0 Since Mary Shelley released her novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” in 1818, the tale has received hundreds of adaptations, spanning from film to television to plays. The latest, “Frankenstein,” from director Guillermo del Toro, was released on Netflix Nov. 7. Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” begins with a prologue that shows members of a Danish ship crew in the Arctic who find an injured man and take him aboard thei…