Frankenstein’s creature is my hands-down favorite classic monster. My first exposure to it was through Boris Karloff’s immortal portrayal, and I’ve been drawn to its many interpretations over the years. Over the weekend I watched Guillermo del Toro’s latest addition to the creature’s mythology, and it has become among my favorites because it is a sincere love letter to the famously tragic figure.
Like so many other Frankenstein films, it takes a lot of liberties with the original book. I love Mary Shelley’s novel, but it is a touch slow moving at times and modern movies need a bit more momentum than classic literature can provide. It omits a few characters and introduces some new ones, all of which serve the narrative nicely.
A significant difference is Victor Frankenstein’s crime against his creation. In the novel and many movies, the creature is wronged because it is abandoned by its creator simply because it is hideous to look upon. Del Toro’s creature suffers not abandonment from Frankenstein, but mistreatment borne from the passing of generational abuse from the doctor’s own cold father. It flinches from the prospect of being stricken instead of lashing out.
The biggest difference of all is that this creature does not turn to cold-blooded murder when it experiences rejection. Mary Shelley’s creature sees him purposely murder a child and frame an innocent woman for his murder, and then once his desire for a companion is denied he kills Victor’s fiancee and closest family friend. (I’d warn you of spoilers but I’m talking about a novel over two centuries old.). Seeing how del Toro’s creature reacts to rejection and violence is what makes this a love letter to this tragically mistreated figure. I won’t spoil that for you.
Guillermo del Toro has said on more than one occasion that he sympathizes with the monsters of stories and that is very evident in his version of Frankenstein. This is a movie for everyone who has felt a great sadness in their heart for the creature and always wanted to see it get, well not exactly a happy ending, but a more hopeful spin of its story. The tragedy of Frankenstein’s creature is that it had the potential to be a good, kind, loving soul if only given the proper opportunity, and the heartache we feel as that lack of love and acceptance drives it to become a true monster. Guillermo del Toro wanted more for this poor creature and gave it to him.
More than anything, this film showcases that Frankenstein created not something, but someone.