As A Horror Fan, I’m Both Excited And Concerned Over Guillermo Del Toro’s Latest Quotes About His Frankenstein Movie

by

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of “Frankenstein” has always seemed like a brilliant choice for the master storyteller known for his gothic visuals, emotional monsters, and morally complex narratives. Horror enthusiasts eagerly await its appearance on the 2025 movie schedule. Del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale promises to be a delight for my horror-loving heart. However, his recent comments leave me with a peculiar blend of excitement and apprehension, as I am unsure if it should still be considered an upcoming horror film at all.

At Cannes Film Festival, Guillermo del Toro, in a chat with frequent partner Alexandre Desplat (as reported by Variety), shared fresh perspectives on his creative methodology. Unlike how many view it as one of literature’s most chilling horror and sci-fi tales, del Toro’s interpretation of Frankenstein deviates from this conventional framing, the acclaimed Mexican director emphasized.

Last weekend, someone inquired about the film I’m working on, asking if it has truly terrifying moments. For the first time, this question made me pause and reflect. This story holds deep emotional resonance for me; it’s as intimate as any tale I could tell. It delves into the complexities of being a father, a son… Horror films are not my genre. I have no intention of venturing into that realm.

To clarify, I don’t expect “Frankenstein” to be just a source of jumpscares. Del Toro has consistently shown an uncanny knack for uncovering the human side of monstrosity. Movies like “The Shape of Water,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” the hauntingly beautiful “Crimson Peak,” and even “Hellboy” are some of his standout works, and they, along with many of his other films, don’t adhere strictly to one genre. Instead, they offer a unique blend of elements.

The movies stay with viewers because they take us on emotional journeys rather than being known for their frightening scenes in cinema. However, when dealing with material as inherently eerie, existential, and monstrous as Frankenstein, it can be tricky to find the balance between creating something poetic without losing its impact.

Del Toro’s collaborations with Desplat offer clues about the film’s distinctive atmosphere. The composer, who has previously worked with the director on “The Shape of Water” (a Best Picture winner) and “Pinocchio”, stated that their musical style deviates from typical horror music. As stated by the director of “Cronos”, Desplat’s music encapsulates this unique approach to the material.

We’re finding the emotion. And what I can say is, for me, it’s an incredibly emotional movie.

The composer agreed with his collaborator’s sentiments. Regarding his approach, Desplat said:

Guillermo’s films have a strong poetic quality, and my music tends to follow suit. Consequently, I anticipate that the music for Frankenstein will be quite expressive and moving… I don’t intend to create music that is terrifying or horror-focused.

As a cinephile following Guillermo del Toro’s work, it’s no surprise that he veers from typical black-and-white morality or monsters solely designed to instill fear. His compassion even extends to the point where he found himself empathizing with a creature – Marilyn Monroe’s character in The Seven Year Itch sympathizing with the monster in Frankenstein. This moment served as an awakening for him, revealing that often, The Monster is not just a source of terror but a misunderstood creature, leading to chaos and fear – at least traditionally, if not in his unique perspective.

The upcoming movie featuring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth will make its debut on Netflix’s streaming platform in November.

Read More

2025-05-21 21:38