A stitched body, a sharpened mind, and a creator who won’t claim what he made. We dive into Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein on Netflix with fresh eyes and full hearts, exploring how the film restores Mary Shelley’s original genius while reshaping a century of monster-movie expectations. From the icebound framing device to the creature’s own testimony, the story gives the “monster” his voice back—and with it, a moral authority that turns the tables on Victor.
We talk about the texture of creation: the unsettling, hyper-real gore that makes every cut feel consequential, and the cinematography tricks that make key encounters float with eerie grace. Oscar Isaac’s Victor is magnetic and cold, driven by ambition he can’t control, while Jacob Elordi’s creature evolves from bewildered newborn to eloquent judge, his slender, powerful frame reading as reassembled personhood instead of prop. Mia Goth’s Elizabeth cuts through the gloom with presence that grounds the stakes. We also trace Del Toro’s love of cinema history, from the inclusion of an Igor archetype to the blend of gothic realism that separates his style from the baroque and the camp.
The heart of the episode is the ethics: What do we owe what we create? If the creature is functionally immortal, does denying him a companion become the cruelest act? We follow the thread of generational harm—from Victor’s father to Victor himself—and the way indifference breeds monstrosity more reliably than lightning ever could. It’s not a perfect film; the pacing stretches in places. But the ideas, performances, and design make this a rare adaptation that feels both faithful and new.
If you love smart horror, literary roots, and craft on screen, hit play. Then share your take, subscribe for more deep dives, and drop us a review so others can find the show.
Twitter handles:
Project Geekology: https://twitter.com/pgeekology
Anthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseyswow
Dakota's Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekritique_dak
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/projectgeekology?igshid=1v0sits7ipq9y
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@projectgeekology
Geekritique (Dakota):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwciIqOoHwIx_uXtYTSEbA
