'It Feels Autobiographical': A Monster 20 Years in the Making — Guillermo del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' Trailer Arrives
A gothic tale shaped by decades of personal obsession.
Netflix’s Tudum 2025 event, typically a dizzying blend of screaming superfans and shiny sizzle reels, delivered something with real cinematic weight this weekend: the first trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s long-gestating adaptation of Frankenstein.
The visionary director, a lifelong devotee of monsters and melancholia, took the stage to unveil a project he’s been chasing for over twenty years. The trailer was released online shortly after, offering a first look at what appears to be a deeply stylised take on Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic. Del Toro, never one to shy away from his emotional ties to storytelling, spoke candidly about the film’s significance.
"This story has lived with me since childhood," he said. "I’ve tried to make this film for over two decades. Some say I’m obsessed with Frankenstein, and they’re probably right. Over the years, the character has become so entwined with my life, it feels autobiographical. It’s the most personal film I’ve ever made."
If Pan's Labyrinth was his dark fairy tale and The Shape of Water his tragic love story, Frankenstein may well be his spiritual autobiography — stitched together with shadow, sincerity and sorrow.
The film features an impressive cast: Oscar Isaac takes on the role of Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi plays the creature, Mia Goth appears as Elizabeth, and Christoph Waltz steps in as the enigmatic Dr. Pretorius. Given del Toro’s signature visual flair — gothic candlelight, baroque sets, and an abundance of lovingly designed practical and digital effects — the film promises both spectacle and soul. As with his Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, also produced with Netflix, expect something operatic in scale and deeply human at its core in November 2025.
