The Filmcast After Dark Preview: Guillermo Del Toro's 'Frankenstein'
Nov 15, 2025
The hosts explore Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein on Netflix. They debate the film's emotional depth versus its tonal shifts, especially in the final act. Key topics include the creature's desire for compassion and the juxtaposition of genre elements. They praise del Toro’s visual storytelling while critiquing character motivations, particularly in romantic subplots. Ultimately, they reflect on the film's fidelity to Mary Shelley's themes of obsession and forgiveness, encouraging listeners to delve into the original novel for a deeper understanding.
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Del Toro's Deep Frankenstein Affinity
- Guillermo del Toro inherently understands Frankenstein's core: sympathy for the monster over the humans.
- His films repeatedly explore monsters who are more human than the people around them.
Fell In Love Then Fell Apart
- Jeff loved the film's first two-thirds for its sumptuous worldbuilding and gothic visuals.
- He felt utterly engaged until the movie shifted tone and then fell apart for him.
Ship Attack Followed By Weird Storytelling
- Jeff describes the creature's ship attack and later storytelling as a tonal betrayal that made him want to stop watching.
- He found the creature's choice to tell a long story after violence to be nonsensical and off-putting.
