In a movie about a scientist bringing a creature to life from body parts, the last thing you might expect is a joyful film set. However, Oscar Isaac, who plays the famous Dr. Victor Frankenstein, has described the process of making Guillermo del Toro’s new film as an incredibly fun experience. The actor’s enthusiastic comments highlight the positive atmosphere the director created while tackling Mary Shelley’s dark classic.
A Dream Project Comes to Life
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a passion project the acclaimed director has dreamed of making for decades. He has called it his “dream project” and a “Mount Everest” of filmmaking, with his interest dating back over 25 years. The film is his long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 Gothic novel.
The movie features an all-star cast, with Oscar Isaac as the ambitious scientist Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his tragic Creature. The cast also includes Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza, alongside Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance, David Bradley, and Lars Mikkelsen. After a long journey through development, the film finally found its home at Netflix.
The story follows a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment. This act ultimately leads to the destruction of both the creator and his creation. Del Toro’s version aims to explore the emotional core of the characters, moving beyond the simple “mad scientist” trope to examine themes of generational trauma and the relationship between an artist and his work.
“The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had”
Despite the dark and Gothic nature of the story, Oscar Isaac has made it clear that making the film was an absolute joy. In an interview with SFX Magazine, the actor did not hold back his praise for the experience.
He stated, “It was the most fucking fun I’ve ever had in my life.” Isaac described the energetic and almost childlike excitement on set, saying, “Running around in the rain, up and down steps, this Christ-like thing on a crucifix and Guillermo in the corner, screaming! It was hard to fathom that it was actually happening.”
He emphasized the contrast between the story’s dark material and the positive environment, noting that the project was “approached with so much joy.” Isaac compared the feeling to “14 year olds had keys to the kingdom – it had that kind of energy to it.”
Del Toro’s Different Approach to Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s vision for the classic tale differs from many previous film adaptations. According to Oscar Isaac, the director was less interested in the “scientist gone mad” angle and more focused on the deeper emotional and philosophical themes.
Isaac explained, “[Guillermo] was much more interested in the emotional underpinnings of what the character means to him than the stuff we’ve seen… We approach it more as an artist. And really this idea of generational abuse and trauma that gets passed down, and how he continues to pass that down towards his creation. And ultimately the reckoning that happens because of that.”
This approach extends to the design of the Creature itself. Del Toro worked with creature designer Mike Hill to create a monster that defies previous expectations. Instead of the classic stitched-together look, they aimed for a being that had the purity and translucency of a newborn soul. The Creature is portrayed as intelligent and articulate, a far cry from the grunting brute of some earlier films.
Jacob Elordi’s Portrayal of the Creature
Jacob Elordi takes on the iconic role of the Creature in del Toro’s film. His version is portrayed as a literate and deeply feeling being, pieced together from the frozen bodies of soldiers found on a Crimean War battlefield. The new trailer for the film centers on the Creature’s point of view, with Elordi’s character stating, “My maker told his tale, and I will tell you mine.”
Del Toro described the Creature as needing to feel like a baby, and then like a philosopher. Elordi looked to unusual sources for inspiration, including the Japanese dance form Butoh and the innocent movements of his own golden retriever.
In the trailer, the Creature is seen confronting his maker, declaring, “If you are not to award me love, then I will indulge in rage.” This highlights the core theme of the story – the Creature’s desire for love and acceptance from his creator, and the fury that follows his rejection.
Release Details and Critical Reception
Frankenstein had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, and will be available for global streaming on Netflix starting November 7, 2025.
The film has already begun to receive positive feedback from critics. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, it currently holds an 81% score based on 88 reviews. Critics have particularly praised the film’s production design, its faithfulness to Shelley’s novel, and Jacob Elordi’s performance as the Creature.
The film was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was a runner-up for the People’s Choice Award.
A Collaboration to Remember
The successful and enjoyable collaboration between Oscar Isaac and Guillermo del Toro on Frankenstein marks their first project together. Isaac’s glowing account of the filming process suggests it may not be their last. As del Toro continues to work on future projects, including a stop-motion film titled The Buried Giant, audiences will be eager to see if this director-actor partnership blossoms further.
For now, viewers can look forward to seeing the result of this fun yet dark creative process when Frankenstein arrives in theaters and on Netflix.
Also Read: Guillermo Del Toro Redefines Frankenstein’s Monster as a Work of Art, Not a Horror
