Frankenstein (2025) directed by Guillermo del Toro

Based on the 1818 groundbreaking classic novel by Mary Shelley, the film stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. All of them giving good performances. This well-known highly influential tale has been told over and over and never, like most book adaptations, comes close enough to the source material as it should. 

At 2 1/2 hours, this is a long film. It mostly looks fine, but it is too evenly lit for me, considering the subject matter and has a video game cleanness about it that takes away from the gothic horror of it all. If anyone can make a monster sexy, it's Guillermo del Toro and this version of Frankenstein's creature is pretty sexy despite being made up of bits and pieces of dead criminals and soldiers. Alordi has very expressive and kind eyes that show the character's inner goodness that has gone  south because of his mistreatment and uncaring creator. Isaac is wasted in this role and he tries to bring something to not well written role. We feel nothing for him or really any of the other cast members. 

The start of the film and introduction to Frankenstein and his obession to create life is too long and we never see anything that leads to understanding his motivations except on a superficial level. The sets look good but also, in my opinion, lack the imagination del Toro has put into other projects. We see only a hint of the deep themes of the book and the rearranging of the characters and introduction of romance plot(s) add nothing to the endeavour. The monster's tale part of the film is where it picks up and has some real heart in it but even then it misses the mark more than it hits it. There are several scenes that we should be crying from the events affecting the characters but it never gives us enough reason to care about them to reach that emotional place. 

It's not a terrible movie its just sort of meh from a talented director we expect more from based on a story that has never been truly told faithfully. The Branagh version is closer to the book with a very notable exception at the end. This version changes the story in superficial ways that take away from the genius of Shelley. 

Shadow of the Vampire (2000) directed by E. Elias Merhige

 I saw this film in the cinema on release and remembered liking it quite a bit. Seeing again recently, I realized I forget how good it really is. Basically a comedy with some tension and drama thrown in, the movie is a "what if" sort of story positing that when Murnau filmed the silent classic Nosferatu, he used a real vampire. 

I originally was tempted to the cinema because Eddie Izzard was in it and his small role does merit going to see it the film but it's Willem Defoe who shines and stands out as the vampire. His appearance is beyond perfect and he without doubt spent some time studying Max Schreck in the original role - copying his physicality and postures to perfection. Murnau has told the cast and crew that Defoe is a method actor and will appear only at night and in full make-up, never dropping character for the entirety of the production. His odd behaviour and attacks on crew members quickly brings a few to conclude that he is, fact, a member of the undead. Thing like pulling a bat in flight out of the air and eating in front of people was a clue for example, though in that case Udo Kier's character simply states... "Max, you must be the greatest actor ever!"

The vampire seems to be under the control of Murnau through most of the runtime but it becomes clear that is not the case by the end. Defoe manages to go from comic to genuinely terrifying in a split second and the stakes change completely. 

Quirky might not cover how odd this film is and you will have to sit through a rather long opening credits sequence before the movie starts but it's all worth it.  As a little extra info,  Nicolas Cage produced this film and was to play Schreck but gave the role to Defoe when he showed interest. Good choice!