Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s Monster Made Me Think of Another Sci-fi Movie, But the Connection Makes Sense

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As a huge movie buff, I’ve noticed Netflix really has a knack for both creating original stories and reimagining existing ones. Take Stranger Things, for example – it clearly draws inspiration from classics like The Goonies, but it’s become something totally unique. They’re doing the same with newer hits like A House of Dynamite, which really plays with suspense. But they also can’t resist a good adaptation! Greta Gerwig is working on a fresh take on The Chronicles of Narnia, though we’ll have to wait a while for that. If you’re looking for something to watch right now, though, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is absolutely fantastic.

Guillermo del Toro consistently takes on challenging projects, and his take on Frankenstein is no different. He deliberately departs from Mary Shelley’s original story to make the Creature a more relatable and sympathetic character. This creative choice is highly effective, offering a fresh perspective on a classic monster. The film also inevitably invites comparisons to other significant science fiction stories.

Frankenstein’s Monster Is More Human Than Ever in Netflix’s Movie

As a film buff, I always appreciate a good character backstory, and this version of Frankenstein really delivers. It immediately paints Oscar Isaac’s Victor as someone deeply affected by a tough childhood – his father was distant and often cruel, and his mother was his only support. Losing her left him utterly alone, and that pain fuels his obsession with overcoming death. He finds solace in studying anatomy and dreaming up ways to prevent others from experiencing the same loss he did. By the time he’s an adult, he’s making real progress, even though the scientific establishment isn’t exactly on board. Luckily, he meets Henrich Harlander, a wealthy man who understands his desire to conquer death – a connection that really gets the story moving.

Thanks to Harlander’s support, Frankenstein obtains the necessary materials, including corpses, and successfully brings his creation to life on a wild, stormy night. Initially, Frankenstein intends to nurture his new being, but quickly becomes frustrated with its slow progress. This disappointment transforms him from a hopeful creator into an abusive figure, exposing the Creature to the darker side of humanity. Despite this harsh treatment, the Creature remains hopeful and learns to read from a kind old man, a skill that allows him to understand and ultimately forgive Frankenstein’s mistreatment, enabling him to find a path forward. Jacob Elordi‘s portrayal of the Creature offers a lesson in compassion that many science fiction characters could benefit from.

Prometheus‘ Engineers Aren’t All That Different From the Creature

The Alien movies share themes with Frankenstein, particularly the idea of creating life and the consequences that come with it. Prometheus explores this idea further by introducing the Engineers, an ancient alien race who created life throughout the universe, including humanity. The wealthy CEO of the Weyland Corporation, Peter Weyland, finances a mission to locate these aliens, joining the expedition himself in hopes of finding a way to prolong his life. However, he learns that the Engineers have no interest in helping him. Weyland meets a horrific end, leaving his android, David, to deal with the aftermath.

As a big movie buff, I’ve always seen a fascinating parallel in the Prometheus and Alien films. To me, Weyland feels a lot like the character of Harlander – both are driven by a selfish desire for ultimate power. And that really casts David as the modern Frankenstein, or the ‘Prometheus’ figure – he’s desperately trying to control forces way beyond his grasp, and he doesn’t seem to care about the fallout. The Engineers complete the picture, though. They didn’t create David, but he’s ultimately responsible for their downfall – something the Creature from Frankenstein could definitely relate to! It’s also striking how similar the Creature looks to the Engineers when he’s first ‘born’. It just proves, doesn’t it, how humanity has a knack for corrupting even the purest things and turning them into something monstrous.

Frankenstein is streaming on Netflix.

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2025-11-15 18:42