We’re diving into Guillermo del Toro’s new and anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a dark retelling of the classic story about a brilliant scientist who creates life, only to face the horrifying consequences of his own ambition. As big fans of the novel (with one of us having just finished reading it this week), we were eager to see how del Toro’s version reimagines the source material. The film makes several notable changes from the book, which we unpack in detail as we explore how they reshape our understanding of the story and its characters. With top-tier production design, and a strong cast including Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, the film tackles del Toro’s signature themes of humanity and monstrosity. Still, we debate whether its sleek aesthetic sometimes feels too digital and “Netflix.” After the review, stick around for a spirited discussion on whether actors are more impressive than athletes, and our picks for the best recasts in film history.

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