Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi bring Del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ to life at Venice
Hollywood’s hottest new duo, Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, are set to electrify the Venice Film Festival this Saturday as they unveil the most anticipated cinematic resurrection of the year: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Yes, you read that right. The mad scientist of modern fantasy, Guillermo del Toro, is finally unleashing his decades-long passion project, a gothic, grandiose, and deeply human reimagining of Mary Shelley’s immortal tale. And if the buzz is anything to go by, this isn’t just a film premiere. It’s the opening salvo in a full-scale Oscars offensive.
Isaac stars as the tormented genius Victor Frankenstein, while Elordi yes, that Elordi, heartthrob of Euphoria and rom-com king, takes on the role of the Creature. And folks, prepare to have your mind (and possibly your heart) ripped open: early whispers suggest Elordi delivers a performance that’s equal parts tragic, terrifying, and devastatingly beautiful.
“This is the movie I’ve been in training for 30 years to make,” del Toro recently told the AP, and you can feel that lifetime of obsession in every frame. Known for his love of monsters (who are often more human than humans), del Toro calls this version a “dark hymn to life, love, and what it means to be made.”
Red carpet glamour vs real-world protest
But while the stars walk the Lido in black tie and dramatic capes, the streets outside may pulse with a different kind of energy. An anti-war march is scheduled to culminate near the festival grounds on premiere night, with organisers aiming to shine a spotlight on Gaza, a sobering counterpoint to the glitz and glamour within.
Expect tension, passion, and perhaps a few powerful statements from the cast. After all, as del Toro knows better than anyone: monsters are often born of man’s inhumanity.
Oscar bait? Netflix’s best picture dream begins here
Fresh off the success of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, which bagged Netflix its first Best Animated Feature Oscar, the streaming giant is now gunning for the ultimate prize: Best Picture. And Frankenstein might just be their strongest contender yet.
The film is in the running for the Golden Lion, competing against a powerhouse lineup including Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. The jury, led by The Descendants director Alexander Payne, will announce the winners on 6 September.
If history repeats itself, the omens are good. Del Toro’s last Venice entry, The Shape of Water, swept the festival in 2017 before dominating the Oscars in 2018 with wins for Best Picture and Best Director. Can lightning strike twice?
Release date alert: Mark your calendars
Netflix isn’t just streaming this one. They’re giving Frankenstein the full theatrical treatment, a clear sign of awards ambition. The film hits theaters on 17 October, before arriving on the streaming platform on November 7.
So will Frankenstein be a creature of chaos… or a masterpiece brought to life?
One thing’s for sure: this Frankenstein isn’t just alive. It’s coming for the gold.