Review: Frankenstein (2025) 9/10

I saw Frankenstein and absolutely loved it. From the very first frame, the film establishes a sense of control and intention that never lets up. Every choice feels deliberate, from the pacing to the use of silence, allowing atmosphere to carry as much weight as dialogue. It’s immersive in a way that fully pulls you into its world.

Visually, the film is striking without being excessive. The cinematography leans into shadow and restraint, creating an environment heavy with dread and emotion. The production design gives the world a decayed, lived-in quality that reinforces the story’s themes of creation, abandonment, and consequence, while the score knows exactly when to swell and when to pull back, letting tension breathe.

What truly elevates this adaptation is its commitment to character. This Frankenstein treats both Victor and the creature as deeply human figures, shaped by trauma rather than reduced to archetype. The performances give real emotional weight to the horror, making it feel internal as much as physical. The creature, in particular, is rendered with an aching vulnerability that makes his isolation impossible to ignore.

One of my favorite moments captures this perfectly: Frankenstein and the creature both trauma-dumping on the sea captain. It’s darkly funny, deeply uncomfortable, and unexpectedly tender, watching two men unravel in different ways while this poor man is forced to bear witness. That scene reframes horror as emotional fallout, underscoring the film’s understanding of monstrosity as something born from neglect, guilt, and obsession rather than pure evil.

The film excels at slow-building character work, allowing emotions to simmer rather than rushing toward spectacle. When moments of horror arrive, they feel earned, lingering long after they pass.

This is not a fast-paced scare-driven horror film, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it leans into gothic drama, emotional intensity, and moral unease. Thoughtful, haunting, and deeply human, Frankenstein honors its legacy while finding new ways to make it resonate. A strong 9 out of 10.