Is New Frankenstein Film an AI Cautionary Tale? Del Toro Says No

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One of the highly awaited films this fall is directed by Guillermo del Toro, a renowned filmmaker known for his stance against artificial intelligence. This new production is a fresh take on the classic horror story, “Frankenstein.” Following Mary Shelley’s narrative about a conceited scientist who brings life to creation, ultimately leading to their mutual downfall, the movie features Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his created being. Although there are apparent similarities between “Frankenstein” and today’s increasing use of AI, del Toro has distanced himself from portraying his upcoming monster film as a warning against technology.

Del Toro clarified at a press conference for the film during the Venice Film Festival, as reported by Variety, that “the movie is not using symbolism to represent what’s happening.” We are indeed living in times of fear and intimidation. It’s essential more than ever to strive for understanding our shared humanity amidst these polarizing circumstances. The film aims to portray flawed characters, emphasizing the importance of embracing our imperfections and finding a way to connect with one another even under the harshest oppressive conditions.

Del Toro elaborated that his interpretation of Frankenstein is less a traditional monster tale and more an intricate, multilayered family saga with unusual elements. Isaac appeared to agree when he recounted his involvement in the project, “I never thought I’d be here. I never imagined we’d get this far from two years ago, discussing our lives over Cuban pork at [del Toro’s] table, to him saying, ‘I want you to play Victor.’

Frankenstein Metaphor Unmissable, Despite del Toro’s Claims

While Guillermo del Toro insists that his version of Frankenstein isn’t about artificial intelligence (“I don’t fear artificial intelligence; I fear natural foolishness,” he quipped at the press conference), the filmmaker’s rich interpretation of Shelley’s novel could still be seen as a haunting allegory for the swiftly progressing technology. The character Victor Frankenstein’s application, perhaps misapplication, of science to reach his objectives feels strikingly contemporary as tech companies increase their investments in AI, seemingly disregarding the alarming environmental impact the technology imposes alongside the rising cases of AI-induced mental disorders. Ultimately, Frankenstein is a story of unchecked arrogance, and it’s challenging not to relate it to our present world.

While a filmmaker’s intentions may be well-meaning, ultimately, we’ll need to observe and judge the impact of the movie based on audience reactions when it premieres next month. The classic horror film “Frankenstein” will be screened in select theaters for a brief three-week period starting October 17th, before being made available on Netflix from November 7th onwards.

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2025-08-30 20:42