By Brandi Shuler
The Netflix original adaptation of ‘Frankenstein’ (a Gothic novel originally written by Mary Shelley in 1818) was directed by Guillermo del Toro. It received nine Oscar nominations in January, and in celebration of the Oscars, I have been so excited to write about ‘Frankenstein’.
The movie is about a scientist who sets out to try to create life through his own methods. It is an example of giving people forgiveness, compassion, and grace, but also the need for companionship, generational curses, and grieving.
Both Doctor Frankenstein’s and the creature’s storylines were brutal and tragic, but both led to the other forgiving each other in the end. There are so many themes throughout the movie that can be analyzed, loved, and appreciated.
Even the color choices throughout the movie are apparent. The whole experience is so gloomy until you see red shining vibrantly through all the dark and neutral tones. Even Frankenstein’s drink of choice can be analyzed; just on my first watch through, there is so much detail.
I respect Guillermo del Toro for the details he put into the medical and anatomy scenes. I am not in the medical field, so I cannot note how accurate they are, but I find it rare to find a movie that can pull a visceral reaction out of me and continue to keep me engaged.
Horror movies add gore for a completely different reason than why it was added to this movie; there are more complex themes to that decision than for fear factor alone.
I’m a big fan of gothic literature and cinema, so reviewing this movie felt like an obvious choice for me. While watching this, I wrote so many notes down that it felt like every scene had another thematic element, or something else I could talk about. There is so much detail and so much beauty throughout this movie. I’m so glad I was suggested this, and I will definitely be watching Frankenstein again because I’m giving it a 5-star review!
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