There was a time when Netflix made waves by attracting the crème de la crème of directors, turning heads with Oscar-bait productions and redefining what “streaming content” could mean. While that golden run may have dimmed slightly in recent years, one upcoming title has reignited that spark for me. My most eagerly awaited film of 2025 isn’t headed for the big screen—it’s coming straight to Netflix. And the man at the helm? None other than the visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
Guillermo del Toro brings Frankenstein to life
When I first heard that del Toro was taking on Frankenstein, my heart practically skipped a beat. On one side, you’ve got Mary Shelley’s iconic tale of man versus creation; on the other, a director whose body of work reads like a dark fairy tale for grown-ups. It’s a match made in cinematic heaven—or rather, somewhere deliciously eerie just outside its gates.
I’ve been a longtime fan of del Toro. From the haunting beauty of Pan’s Labyrinth to the monster-meets-melancholy magic of The Shape of Water, he has a rare talent for weaving the grotesque with the poetic. Even his lesser-celebrated works, like Mimic or Pacific Rim, pulse with his distinctive creative DNA.
And let’s not forget Pinocchio, his 2022 stop-motion masterpiece for Netflix. That film didn’t just tug at the heartstrings—it yanked them. So the idea of him breathing new life into Frankenstein? It’s honestly the kind of project you dream about but never expect to actually happen.
A gothic dream cast
The cast alone could carry the film on reputation. Oscar Isaac takes on the role of Victor Frankenstein, bringing his signature blend of brooding intellect and charm. Jacob Elordi (yes, the same one who’s been quietly reshaping his career post-Euphoria) steps into the formidable shoes of the Creature, and if early footage is anything to go by, it’s a performance that leans into emotional depth rather than sheer fright.
Mia Goth, no stranger to the darker corners of cinema, plays Elizabeth Lavenza, and Christoph Waltz rounds out the ensemble as the mysterious Harlander. It’s a lineup that oozes potential—and not just in the star power sense. These are performers who know how to get their hands dirty, emotionally speaking.
A feast for the eyes
I was lucky enough to catch a sneak peek of Frankenstein earlier this year during Netflix’s Next On showcase, and I’ve been counting down the days ever since. Even from a brief clip, it’s clear the film is steeped in gothic splendour—dark corridors, candlelit shadows, and that trademark del Toro sense of scale, where every frame feels lovingly crafted.
Helping to bring that vision to life is cinematographer Dan Laustsen, a longtime del Toro collaborator and the man responsible for the rich, stylised visuals of Crimson Peak, as well as the kinetic energy of the John Wick films. Together, the pair have created a visual world that feels tactile and textured—nothing overly glossy or computer-generated. Just real sets, real atmosphere, and an undeniable cinematic mood.
Why it’s my must-watch of the year
There’s a certain kind of magic when a master storyteller returns to the themes he loves most: loneliness, creation, morality, beauty in the grotesque. Del Toro has always had a soft spot for misunderstood monsters, and Frankenstein’s creature is arguably the most misunderstood of them all.
Will it change how we see the classic story? Possibly. Will it break our hearts while dazzling our eyes? Almost certainly. My only gripe—if you can call it that—is that it’s heading exclusively to streaming. A film like this deserves a cinema-sized canvas, not just a living room screen.
Still, come November 2025, I’ll be front and centre, remote in hand, lights dimmed. Because Frankenstein isn’t just a film I want to watch. It’s a world I want to lose myself in. And with Guillermo del Toro leading the way, I know I’m in good hands.
