Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein in Netflix’s Frankenstein, with Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation set to debut in November 2025. The film, previewed at Netflix Tudum 2025, promises a dark, unconventional take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale, combining gothic style with del Toro’s signature vision.
Del Toro’s Vision Comes to Life
Netflix has officially announced its Frankenstein film’s release for November 2025, though the precise date remains unconfirmed. Insiders anticipate a high-profile debut, likely at a major festival such as Venice, before the film streams for a global audience. Shooting began in February 2024 and concluded by September, testifying to del Toro’s dedication.
The story is described as tragic and twisted, with del Toro remarking,
“the culmination of a journey that has occupied most of my life.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director. He emphasized his approach, saying,
“Monsters have become my personal belief system.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director. For del Toro, Shelley’s original novel serves as foundational inspiration for this project.
A Star-Studded Cast Embodies Iconic Roles
Oscar Isaac leads as the complex scientist Victor Frankenstein, while Jacob Elordi plays the mysterious creature. Elordi stepped in after Andrew Garfield’s departure due to scheduling issues. The ensemble features Mia Goth as Elizabeth and Christoph Waltz as Dr. Pretorious, alongside Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, and Ralph Ineson, all playing significant characters in del Toro’s universe.
The Plot: A Dark Shift From the Familiar
Rather than following a traditional retelling, del Toro’s version is set decades after Frankenstein’s supposed death. The narrative centers on Dr. Pretorious’s hunt for the creature, believed to have survived a tragic fire forty years earlier. Eastern Europe in the nineteenth century forms the moody, decaying backdrop, laced with themes of mystery and loss.
Del Toro’s fascination with gothic romance is evident throughout, sharing,
“Gothic romance was born partially out of the fascination with ruins. Sometimes they’re more beautiful than the building complete because it’s the clash of creation and destruction.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director.
What to Expect From Netflix’s Frankenstein
Though a trailer has yet to appear, early teaser footage shown at Tudum hints at an atmospheric and deeply human experience. The film is shaping up to be much more than a monster movie, blending ambition, heartbreak, and the existential questions at the heart of Mary Shelley’s work.
Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the creature position this adaptation as one of the year’s major cinematic events, promising to engage fans of both gothic horror and del Toro’s unique storytelling.
