Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, is undeniably one of the most influential in all of Gothic horror. The very title itself has become a synonym for terror, and Halloween has been forever transformed by the impact of the scientist’s prized monster. Countless directors and storytellers have attempted to put their own mark on the creature. In fact, the interpretations are almost limitless. Frankenweenie displayed Tim Burton’s vision of a canine version of the tale, while Kenneth Branagh delivered a more faithful tale in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

From Universal Pictures’ 1931 classic to Creature Commandos, the Frankenstein Monster’s influence can be felt far and wide. Yet, few have managed to capture the essence of Mary Shelley’s original work. In fact, over the decades, it looks like Guillermo del Toro’s turn at tackling the story is offering one of the most faithful adaptations yet. From the casting announcements to the trailers and even the monster itself, del Toro looks to be delivering a faithful story that fans have been waiting for.

Guillermo del Toro’s Latest Frankenstein Trailer Highlights Its Gothic Influence

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Guillermo del Toro has a long history of working in the gothic genre. He’s one of the few directors who truly understands what this style has to offer. Gothic as a genre can largely be traced back to a very specific era in British literature. The likes of Mary Shelley were key to its development, with works such as Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë or Irish author Bram Stoker’s Dracula, contributing to the scene. These novels utilized dark imagery, twisted romance, and some horror elements to spook readers, while drawing them in with the macabre. The genre is as much about creating an atmosphere as it is about respecting key character archetypes, architectural styles, and a very specific era in history.

Guillermo del Toro’s past work has consistently demonstrated his affinity for Gothic material. Although other directors, such as Tim Burton, could arguably be included in this conversation, no one has quite conveyed the tone and romantic edge of Gothic storytelling like the Mexican director. Crimson Peak is undoubtedly the purest form of gothic storytelling from del Toro’s filmography, although nods have to be given to Nightmare Alley and aspects of The Shape of Water. These works shouldn’t be confused with his straight-up horror or action flicks, and while Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth might respect the genre in some capacity, they are very different beasts.

That’s why del Toro’s take on Frankenstein is already an exciting idea, considering his depth of knowledge when it comes to gothic storytelling. There’s a gloom and sense of despair hanging over the genre, muddled with a dark fascination that humankind has always struggled with. The trailer for his iteration of Frankenstein is already putting many of those elements fully on display. Cinematically, the required visuals are perfect, every shot a twisted painting; an insight into a shadowy world full of secrets. Frankenstein’s Monster is hidden for the majority of the teaser, but there’s enough evidence pointing to the creature being portrayed as a slightly more intelligent, misunderstood figure.

Del Toro is also keenly aware of the romance at the core of the novel, or lack thereof. Because while Victor Frankenstein is embroiled in a love affair with his adopted sister and future wife Elizabeth Lavenza, it is the monster who seeks a bride of his own. His fascination with love and lack of connection fuels the beast, and it appears that del Toro’s Frankenstein will not shy away from some of these overtones. The violence is there, as are themes associated with Victor’s desire to play God. Indeed, the creator has an obsession with his own work, a different kind of love that drives his connection to Frankenstein’s Monster. The monster, too, seeks answers from the father-like figure, while struggling with the image of how the world sees him.

Guillermo del Toro Has Pulled Inspiration From Classic Monster Movies

Image via Universal Pictures

The trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein also plays on the idea that Frankenstein’s Monster may revel or lean into his violent rage in some capacity. As if becoming the very horror that the world believes him to be. That’s another complex theme of the novel and a very Gothic idea. He isn’t the only ‘villainous’ like character in gothic literature who seems pulled by the idea of giving into the darkness. Plenty of anti-heroes have fallen, seduced by greed, lust, temptation and most of all, anger. Romantic betrayals are usually at the heart of those choices and here del Toro appears to be tiptoeing around that concept.

In the trailer, the monster declares that if his creator is not to award him love, then he will have to give in to his inner demons. It’s a fascinating ultimatum and one that again leans into del Toro’s reading of the character. What’s particularly interesting is that del Toro has been very open about his influences and has drawn from a couple of classic Gothic pictures to truly cement his vision for this tale. Some of those are prior adaptations of Mary Shelley’s work, arguably some of the few that managed to grasp the message behind her writings. Another is a perhaps more surprising choice.

The director has been very open about the impact that Boris Karloff’s take on Frankenstein’s monster had on him. As the breakout role for the performer in the horror genre, Karloff appeared in 1931’s Frankenstein, 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein, and 1939’s Son of Frankenstein. Each of these further pushed the monster’s motivations and character work, refusing to portray him as a one-dimensional being. They are hugely influential on all future adaptations, with del Toro noting the importance of Bride of Frankenstein in his approach to the character. Again, romance is set to play a major role here, just as the gothic genre intended.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula from Francis Ford Coppola has also been tied into the promotion of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. The score of the vampiric picture was used in early footage of Mary Shelley’s classic, ensuring that audiences firmly understood another one of the director’s inspirations. That says a lot about del Toro’s vision, considering Bram Stoker’s Dracula has forever split audiences. The film takes its subject matter far more seriously, is a lot more gothic in tone, and again revisits those ideas of temptation and sin. It is hugely controversial and some of its key choices cannot be made light of, but it is also nonetheless important in the character’s evolution on screen. Perhaps on some level, del Toro hopes to have a similar role to play in Frankenstein’s revival, creating a work that will be much-discussed for years to come.

Past Variations of the Frankenstein Story Leaned Too Far Into Mad Science

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In all of this, it’s clear that Guillermo del Toro is specifically avoiding one pitfall that other storytellers have fallen into. While they too may have taken the material seriously, they certainly weren’t able to fully comprehend what the gothic nature of the novel really represented. Instead, another fascination has drawn them in, taking on an entirely different form. This version of Frankenstein will obviously be looking at the idea of playing God, as previously discussed. The religious connotations of that exploration are plain to see, and that imagery is often tapped into. But prior incarnations have often focused on a very specific element.

Time and again, Victor Frankenstein has been portrayed as a mad scientist. Steampunk aesthetics are often used to forge his image, while performers are known to play the genius in a more theatrical manner. Most actors in the role have chewed scenery and made a remarkable impact on the viewer by shouting and screaming, acting quite overwhelmed by the magnitude of his discovery. It’s almost become a parody at this stage and, indeed, multiple Halloween-themed and horror spectacles have made light of the Victor Frankenstein character. His obsession is usually with the science itself, with the figure at times becoming a comedic caricature. That’s not who Victor Frankenstein is in Mary Shelley’s novel, though, nor is that his portrayal in del Toro’s version.

It appears the character will be portrayed by Oscar Isaac with more nuance and subtlety. He isn’t shouting gleefully at his own creation but has become rather introspective. He’s fearful and ambitious, possibly encompassing the very rage his own creation feels. Victor here looks to be a reflection of his monster, one drawn in by romance and distracted from his work by temptation. It is in Victor that del Toro’s true understanding of the gothic genre is displayed. It seems that, if the movie is as accurate to the trailer and influences as it appears to be, this could be the definitive version of Frankenstein on screen. Early previews and critical analyses seem to confirm that the franchise has been reborn, albeit wearing the skin of the original incarnation.