When it comes to monster movies, few directors understand the genre quite like Guillermo del Toro. From Pan's Labyrinth to The Shape of Water, del Toro's monstrous menagerie of creeps and creatures isn't just blobs of CGI or heaps of latex thrust on Doug Jones; they are works of art created by a loving hand.
His next film, Frankenstein, presents not only a new, seemingly more accurate adaptation of the horror novel by Mary Shelley but also breathes new life into one of cinema's most iconic figures, Frankenstein's Monster. After months of waiting, Vanity Fair finally gives us a first look at the mysterious creature.
Often mistaken for the titular character, Frankenstein's Monster has been an icon of the horror industry since the birth of the genre. Although Universal's lumbering monster is perhaps the most recognizable, many actors have donned the stitches and bolts. Following in the steps of other actors like Christopher Lee and Robert De Niro, Jacob Elordi animates the creature for a new audience.
From the production photos released on Vanity Fair this week, it appears del Toro, the cast, and the production team have gone all out in giving fans the definitive version of the character. Take a look at the official first look of the monster shared on Instagram below.
Although the creature is still "under wraps," eagle-eyed fans can immediately make connections to some iconic features of creatures past. The furred vest from Karloff, the hooded shroud from De Niro, and the sallow, almost marble-like skin as a slight homage to his book description are all stitched together to create one of del Toro's most magnificent monsters yet.
Keeping with that same spirit, the article goes on in great detail to describe the blending of the beautiful and grotesque. Yet another example of why del Toro was the perfect director for this story. All that's left for fans is to let this mad scientist continue to create.
Speaking as someone who has longed for a book-accurate adaptation of Frankenstein since high school, del Toro's vision is long overdue. Given his work on The Shape of Water and Pinocchio, the prolific director has done more than enough to prove that he is the man for the job. Listen to what he says in the footage below.
Del Toro's monsters aren't just ravenous beasts for the heroes to fight and overcome. They are beautifully and wonderfully made with their own histories and reasons to exist. Much like the iconic creature sewn together from dead matter, the director utilizes every element in his tool belt to bring his passion project to life, and already it looks like a monstrous hit in the making.
Frankenstein premieres on Netflix in November 2025.