Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Review: Robert De Niro’s Forgotten Take on the Classic Monster Is Pure ’90s Fever Dream (But Oddly Fascinating)

The film came out at a time when adaptations of classic books were popular, and also during a high point in director Kenneth Branagh’s career. Francis Ford Coppola’s visually striking Bram Stoker’s Dracula had recently shown that gothic stories could still be successful in theaters. Branagh, known for his well-received versions of Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing, seemed like the ideal director to bring another classic, troubled character to life. He was becoming known in Hollywood for his strong theatrical style, his use of Shakespearean stories, and his ability to make those films profitable. With Coppola as a producer and Robert De Niro cast as the Monster, Frankenstein seemed destined to be part of the brief trend of lavish, mature horror films. However, Branagh’s version wasn’t the straightforward, critically acclaimed film the studio probably anticipated. Instead, he delivered a wildly imaginative and intensely earnest film, almost like an opera.

Upcoming RPGs in 2026 & Beyond

2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for RPG fans, with both exciting remakes of beloved games and sequels we’ve been waiting for. Here’s a look at some of the best RPGs coming in 2026, plus a few other promising titles still in development.

Why an American Alice in Borderland Spinoff Makes Sense

Many viewers thought Alice in Borderland would finish after its second season. The ending of season 2 closely followed the original manga, leading people to believe the story was complete. However, a cliffhanger at the end of the season hinted at the possibility of more, and ultimately led to the creation of Alice in Borderland season 3, which continues the story beyond the source material.

Supernatural Season 16 Can Bring Dean Back From The Dead Permanently, Despite Season 15’s Ending

Many fans were upset with how the show Supernatural ended, particularly with Dean’s death, and immediately began hoping for a sixteenth season. Although there hasn’t been any official announcement in the last five years, both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki have hinted they’d be open to returning, suggesting we haven’t seen the last of Sam and Dean Winchester.

Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 7 Release Date & Time

The preview for Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 7, “The Red Circus,” continues the action from the Red Circus bus incident, leaving fans wondering who this group is and how Loid and Yor will handle the situation without revealing their secret identities. The title and preview suggest we’ll finally meet the new villains in a dramatic episode that promises lots of exciting action – potentially the most intense of the season! If you haven’t started watching Season 3 yet, now’s a great time to catch up so you don’t miss the Forger family’s biggest challenge so far.

One of The Flash’s Most Underrated Rogues Got a Massive Upgrade to Justice League Villain That Nobody Saw

Superhero stories often face a challenge: as they get longer, it becomes difficult to create meaningful character development and compelling conflicts. A common result is heroes effortlessly defeating villains they once struggled with, simply to show how much stronger they’ve become. We see this happen repeatedly – from the climactic battles in X-Men and X-Men: Apocalypse taking place in increasingly absurd locations, to Superman refraining from fighting in his original movie and immediately mastering his powers in later installments. Even in The Flash, a recurring villain like Weather Wizard was easily defeated after years of posing a threat. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it’s a way to keep the action exciting and remind viewers of the hero’s progress. The 1997 Justice League of America TV movie offers a good example. While most of the team were already established heroes, it cleverly upgraded the Weather Wizard, giving him a more significant role. This approach was surprisingly innovative for its time, and could offer valuable lessons for James Gunn’s new DC Universe.

Solo Leveling Owes Everything to Berserk For Its Success

Like Guts from Berserk, Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling is a character who constantly faces hardship. He’s determined to overcome impossible challenges, confront death, and fight for the people he loves. Given this, it’s not surprising to find connections between the two series. Solo Leveling, especially in its artwork by DUBU and adaptation by h-goon, includes many references to Berserk.