Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein - possibly the best Netflix original movie to date ★★★★★

Guillermo del Toro has done it again. The Oscar-winning visionary behind Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water brings Mary Shelley’s timeless tale to life in a way that feels both classic and utterly new. His Frankenstein, now streaming on Netflix, isn’t just a retelling — it’s the definitive adaptation of Shelley’s masterpiece.

Faithful to the spirit and letter of the original novel, del Toro’s film captures the haunting poetry and moral complexity that so many past versions have missed. This is no monster movie in the cheap sense — it’s a tragic, lyrical exploration of creation, obsession, and loneliness.

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The performances are nothing short of outstanding. Christoph Waltz brings chilling gravitas to his role, Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein burns with both genius and arrogance, Mia Goth is luminous and unsettling in equal measure, and Jacob Elordi delivers a heartbreaking, unforgettable turn as the Creature. Together, they create an emotional intensity that lingers long after the credits roll.

Visually and sonically, the film is a gothic feast. Every frame is meticulously crafted — the flicker of candlelight, the shimmer of laboratory glass, the deep shadows that seem to breathe with the characters. The production design and score intertwine perfectly, creating an atmosphere that is both beautiful and terrifying.

Del Toro mixes horror and romance, blood and tenderness, despair and wonder with effortless mastery. It’s dark, it’s sexy, and it’s directed with the kind of passion and precision only he could deliver.

In short, Frankenstein is not only the best adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel to date — it’s possibly the best original film Netflix has ever presented. A perfect cocktail of horror, humanity, and gothic romanticism, del Toro’s Frankenstein is an instant classic.