Netflix’s Long-Awaited Adaptation of Sci-Fi Horror Classic Is Very Much Alive as It Quickly Dominates Streaming

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The acclaimed director, after years of effort, has finally brought his version of the science fiction horror story, Frankenstein, to the screen. Audiences were clearly eager to see the filmmaker, known for Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth, reimagine Mary Shelley’s classic novel, and Frankenstein has quickly become a hit since its release late last week.

Guillermo del Toro, the director of The Shape of Water, brings his unique vision to Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus in this new adaptation. The film stars as Victor Frankenstein and as the Creature, with as Elizabeth. Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz also feature in supporting roles.

After a short time in theaters, Frankenstein is now available on Netflix and has become the most-watched movie globally and in the U.S. The film, a great mix of gothic romance, horror, and action, is currently #1 on the streaming service, surpassing other popular titles like KPop Demon Hunters and A House of Dynamite. If you’re not familiar with the story of Frankenstein, you can find a summary below…

Guillermo del Toro, the director known for his Academy Award-winning films, reimagines Mary Shelley’s famous story of Victor Frankenstein. The tale follows a gifted but arrogant scientist who creates a living creature, an experiment that tragically destroys both him and his creation.

Critics & Audiences Have Fallen in Love With Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’


Ken Woroner /© Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

Thankfully, Frankenstein lived up to the hype! Guillermo del Toro’s version of the story has received excellent reviews, earning scores of 85% from critics and 95% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Zachary Lee from MovieWeb called it del Toro’s most personal film to date, and went on to say…

Guillermo del Toro has long dreamed of bringing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to the big screen, and the resulting film is thankfully filled with the love, respect, and imagination that come from spending three decades thinking about the story.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is considered a very accurate adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel, though it does take some creative liberties. Notably, the Creature is portrayed with more empathy than in previous versions, a common trait in del Toro’s films. Jacob Elordi, known for his role in Euphoria, stepped into the role after Andrew Garfield had to withdraw and has been widely praised for his performance, with some predicting an Oscar nomination. Del Toro recently shared the moment he realized Elordi was the perfect fit for this iconic character.

I immediately texted Oscar after my first Zoom call with Jacob, letting him know we’d found the right person. It’s not about how versatile an actor is, but about whether they truly embody the character—or vice versa. When that connection is perfect, you don’t need to overthink things. You simply support the actor and let their performance flourish; they’re guaranteed to succeed.

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2025-11-10 17:03