#TIFF25: “FRANKENSTEIN” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) is found gravely injured by the crew of a ship stuck in thick ice. They bring him on board to tend to his wounds and are suddenly attacked by The Creature (Jacob Elordi), a man shrouded in cloth and tattered clothes. They quickly realize he’s not there for them – he’s there for Frankenstein.

Of course, if you know anything about FRANKENSTEIN, you know there is so much more to this story and this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This particular story, adapted from the legendary novel by Mary Shelley, has long been a passion project of Oscar-winning Writer/Director Guillermo del Toro. And after many decades of waiting, he has finally made what might be his most epic and visually sumptuous film to date. 

To watch FRANKENSTEIN is to be transported to another time and place, with a rich, lived-in and highly detailed feel. Sure, there may be some CGI assists all over the frame (likely to cover up that he filmed this in Toronto!). But make no mistake, the set design here is very real and harkens back to a time when grandiose spectacles like this were the norm and not the exception. Those sets are complimented by fabulous costume design, a moody, operatic score from Oscar-winning Composer Alexandre Desplat, beautifully grotesque makeup and bloody gore effects and…well, you get the picture. Visually, FRANKENSTEIN is truly stunning.

While Isaac is stellar as always and Elordi puts in some real work as The Creature (although not enough to make me forget I am looking at a “Hot” Frankenstein), the rest of the Cast are not afforded the time to really hone their characters into anything other than plot devices. Worse, the film feels too long and often overindulgent. The passion del Toro has for the project is apparent from the jump. But that same passion gets in the way of elements that could have been excised or better finessed. Much like many of del Toro’s previous projects, FRANKENSTEIN is absolutely spectacular to look at and not so spectacular narratively.

FRANKENSTEIN screens at TIFF ‘25:

Mon. Sept 8 at 6:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Tues. Sept 9 at 11:30 AM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Wed. Sept 10 at 5:30 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Thurs. Sept 11 at 11:15 AM at TIFF Lightbox

Fri. Sept 12 at 6:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sat. Sept 13 at 11:30 AM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sun. Sept 14 at 9:00 AM at TIFF Lightbox