Classic horror icons are getting the respect they deserve from modern directors, like Robert Eggers andGuillermo del Toro.With both working on upcoming releases based on Dracula and Frankenstein respectively, a new modern Gothic film era is coming to a climax in the best way possible. While we’ve seen photos and trailers for Eggers' take on the vampire Nosferatu, coming to theaters this Christmas, we’re just now learning more about del Toro’s mysteriousFrankenstein, based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel of the same name.After learning that production wrapped on the film in October, fans have been patiently waiting for more details about the cryptic film, and Vanity Fair has finally heeded the call.
VFrecently posted first-look set photos from highly anticipated 2025 releases, including a photo from the sweeping set of del Toro’sFrankensteinthat shows off the Gothic architecture and vibe the movie will hopefully capture throughout.The adaptation of Shelley’s enduring novel stars Oscar Isaac as the brilliantly mad Dr. Frankenstein who creates the unnamed monster, who will be played bySaltburn’sJacob Elordi. If the cast and director weren’t exciting enough, the sets are sure to impress.
ThePan’s Labryrinthdirector, who has spent decades dreaming of making his own adaptation of the classic story, told VF about how important the practical sets were to achieving the Gothic look and feel of the film.According to VF, who spoke with del Toro about the film, most of the Gothic tale takes place in the remnants of great architecture of the past.While del Toro naturally stumbled across some questionably haunted places in his search for sets, he told VF that shooting in ruins helps convey a Gothic story, especially one focused on creation and destruction.
“Gothic romance was born partially out of the fascination with ruins. Sometimes they’re more beautiful than the building complete because it’s the clash of creation and destruction.”
Ron Perlman Reveals Why He’s Not in Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’
Ron Perlman discusses his admiration for Liam Neeson, long friendship with Guillermo del Toro, and not being cast in Frankenstein.
Guillermo del Toro Is Bringing Gothic Back
With an entire career focused on dark and fantastical visuals, the visionary behind modern classics likeThe Shape of Wateris finally creating the Gothic film of his dreams. While he’s been incorporating Gothic elements into his work over the decades, other directors have joined the Gothic film revitalization of the 21st century. Director Eggers is a great example of a modern director bringing Gothic films back with a bang with movies likeThe Lighthousestarring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe.
Although he has one Gothic box-office flop in his pastwithCrimson Peak, del Toro acknowledges that while there are elements of horror in most Gothic films, they should not be marketed as pure horror. It’s clear that del Toro is in love with the darkly whimsical and uniquely haunting vibe a Gothic story and visuals bring to a piece, so viewers can expect hisFrankensteinto dig deeper than just the horror of a man pieced together from dead flesh.
The film written and directed by del Toro also features Mia Goth, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, Felix Kammerer, and Christoph Waltz, making it a star-packed project. Netflix has not set a release date yet, but the film is steadily making its way through post-production as we speak, and hopefully we’ll know more soon.
Guillermo del Toro and Netflix’sFrankensteinwill be released sometime in 2025.
