Horror With a Heartbeat: The new remake of Frankenstein shocks and entertains the audience

I've never been a fan of scary movies — the gore, jump scares and suspense. No part of a horror movie is enjoyable.

"Trust me, I think this movie will be different," my dad said to me as we got out of the car.

As we made our way into the Glenwood Arts theater, I was nearly certain I would despise the new Frankenstein remake that came out Oct 27th 2025.

I sat down in the cushioned leather seat and crossed my arms, waiting for what I thought would be another two hours of clearly fake blood on screen and pathetic attempts of monster makeup.

But as the lights dimmed and Frankenstein began, I quickly realized this movie wasn't your usually horror movie.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this latest movie remake of the iconic Frankenstein English novel felt intriguing and hooked me from the very beginning, pulling me into its eerie atmosphere, stunning cinematography and incredible acting.

The movie follows Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, a scientist fascinated by death and the boundaries of life. Driven by his curiosity, he experimented by using science to create a human from the remains of the deceased. His obsession and experimentation led him to create a living being — Frankenstein, played by Jacob Elordi.

Throughout the film, Frankenstein must navigate the challenges of life and learn how to exist as a newly created human, all while facing the fear and judgment of those who see him as a monster.

At the beginning of the movie, I assumed Frankenstein would be nothing more than a vicious monster, wreaking everything and everyone around him. But as the story unfolded, I realized he was actually struggling to understand life and survive in a world that feared and rejected him — making Victor, the man who created him, more of the monster.

As the credits rolled, I was surprised by how much I had enjoyed it. The movie had depth, emotion and a story that was both interesting and well-structured.

The film did an incredible job of showing both Frankenstein and Victor's perspective through the acting, setting, and mood of the movie. The film showed Frankenstein as a confused, misunderstood creation and Victor as a man obsessed with the science behind the dead.

Throughout the movie, I was enchanted by the various scenes, with my favorite being when Frankenstein was alone, cold in the woods, looking for a place to sleep. This combination of acting and plot made this scene powerful and understatedly beautiful.

Elordi's performance made Frankenstein's pain feel real. This acting as well as the cold, snowy woods made his isolation feel even more heartbreaking.

The costumes and set design perfectly captured the time period of the mid-19th century, making every scene feel authentic and alive. The attention to detail such as intricate designs on each costume, made the movie feel authentic and immersive, adding even more emotion to each moment.

While the movie was overall impressive, it did have a few minor flaws. Some scenes felt slow or drawn out, and a few moments of dialogue seemed slightly tedious and confusing.

Towards the start of the movie, I felt confused at times, trying to understand what was happening or what part of the movie I was watching.

Another thing I found the movie to be was extremely gory and intense at times.

While I understand part of the movie's entertainment, the blood and frightening scenes sometimes distracted me.I didn't enjoy that aspect as much.

Despite a few slow or intense scenes, I left the theater genuinely impressed. It was a story with heart, depth and emotion, exploring what it truly means to be human.

If you're looking for a horror movie that's more than just jump scares and blood, this one is the one to see — Frankenstein is a movie you do not want to miss.