This article contains spoilers.

Throughout history, audiences have been introduced to a wide variety of monsters. While Count Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are some of the most popular, few have the same notoriety as Frankenstein’s monster. Since 1910, there have been over 400 feature-length films about the Halloween icon created by Dr. Frankenstein — and that number increased again this past week. 

Released in limited theaters Oct. 17, director Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” puts a new spin on Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel. Split between the perspectives of Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and The Creature (Jacob Elordi), the film is framed as a retelling of events that happened before The Creature’s making and the subsequent repercussions. 

The film’s dual perspectives allow the audience to see both sides of the story, making the story more fascinating. From Dr. Frankenstein’s perspective, there is deeper insight into his descent into mania as a result of his utter infatuation with cheating death. In The Creature’s recounting, viewers see his evolution after his creation and the influence human interaction has on his emotional intelligence. 

The differences and similarities between each perspective are only enhanced by the actors’ performances. The two leads of the film, Isaac and Elordi, have a chemistry that immerses the audience in the 19th-century setting. 

When The Creature is first born, Isaac’s Dr. Frankenstein is excited by what he’s been able to create and control. As his command lessens and The Creature becomes less obedient, Dr. Frankenstein’s kinder disposition disappears, and the tension between the two characters heightens. 

Elordi, on the other hand, does a great job playing up The Creature’s innocence. The character becomes infatuated with the smallest aspects of life, becoming friends with roaches and rats. However, the more time he spends around others, the more empathetic and human-like he becomes. 

Elordi’s Creature strays from the character’s traditional depictions. When thinking about Frankenstein’s Creature, one tends to think of green skin and bolts jolting out of its head. Elordi had neither, instead opting for a more mortal appearance. These characteristics not only changed The Creature’s appearance, but emphasized how desperate he was to be seen as human. 

The movie’s score added to the hope and compassion The Creature embodies. Composed by Alexandre Desplat, a frequent collaborator of del Toro’s, the score perfectly followed the ups and downs of the film. 

Two moments in particular were The Creature’s creation and the film’s final scene. 

The creation scene is one of the key scenes in the film, symbolizing the fruits of Dr. Frankenstein’s hard labor. While it’s often been framed as a moment of triumph, Desplat’s score immediately suggests the possibility of error, only intensifying each of Dr. Frankenstein’s movements.

The final scene is a stark contrast. Unlike the novel and previous adaptations, The Creature does not die; instead, he embraces life and embarks upon a journey to hopefully find a companion. Desplat’s score perfectly conveys this, matching the satisfied feeling The Creature can achieve now that he has closure. 

Because “Frankenstein” is leaving theaters next week, I highly suggest rushing to the nearest one. If you’re unable to, it will luckily begin streaming on Netflix Nov. 7, and I cannot wait to watch it again and again. 

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