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Image Courtesy: Variety
Guillermo del Toro is offering a personal look at why 'Frankenstein' has always resonated with him on an emotional level.
In a recent interview with Page Six, published recently the 61-year-old filmmaker spoke about his lifelong bond with the iconic creature at the centre of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. Del Toro revealed that from the moment he first read the book at age 11, he felt an immediate recognition—he saw himself reflected in the monster.
Growing up in the 1960s, he often felt out of place and believed he didn't match the expectations others had for him, a sense of alienation he connected directly to the creature's experience in the story. He added that even now, he still carries the feelings he had as a child who identified with an outsider.
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Image Courtesy: People
Guillermo del Toro's Views on 'Frankenstein' Monster
Del Toro explained that the monster's internal struggle mirrors the tension many people feel between their true selves and the norms society imposes. For him, the power of the story lies in how it examines whether a person's inner world is accepted or rejected by the mainstream.
Shelley's novel follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who assembles a living being from stolen body parts, setting off a tragic chain of events that has shaped generations of literature and film.
Guillermo del Toro Praises 'Frankenstein'
Reflecting on the enduring nature of the tale, Guillermo del Toro said he views 'Frankenstein' as one of a handful of mythic narratives shared across cultures. He placed it alongside other timeless stories like 'Pinocchio' and 'Sherlock Holmes,' explaining that each time these legends are revisited with genuine emotion and conviction, they gain new life and relevance.
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Image Courtesy: frankensteingdt/ Instagram
During his acceptance speech at the 2025 Gotham Awards, Guillermo del Toro shared that reading 'Frankenstein' as a young boy helped him better understand where he fit in the world. The story, paired with his early exposure to Boris Karloff's portrayal of the Creature, made him realise he didn't match the expectations of his parents or the society around him. He said he came to feel that he belonged in a world populated by outsiders, misfits, and monsters—a community he has embraced ever since.
The latest film adaptation of 'Frankenstein,' directed by Guillermo del Toro and released on 7th November, stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature. The movie is now streaming on Netflix.
