“Frankenstein” is up for significant awards at Venice, competing with films like Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Bugonia.” Netflix plans to release it in theaters on Oct. 17.
VENICE, Italy — Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi attended the Venice Film Festival Saturday for the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” marking the beginning of the film’s anticipated awards season launch. The audience responded with a 13-minute standing ovation, one of the most spirited of the 82nd edition of the festival.
Isaac portrays Victor Frankenstein while Elordi takes on the role of the monster in this version of Mary Shelley’s renowned novel, a project del Toro has long aspired to bring to life.
“It’s the movie that I’ve been in training for 30 years to do,” del Toro told The Associated Press.
Speaking in Venice, del Toro said he feels like he’s in “postpartum depression” now that he’s completed the film, a gothic feast of sets.
Isaac said before they started making “Frankenstein,” del Toro told him, “I’m creating this banquet for you, you just have to show up and eat.”
“This film feels particularly personal,” Isaac added. ”I think ultimately it is about outsiders.”
Elordi joined the production fairly late in the process, and threw himself into the childlike monster, who he didn’t find so hard to relate to.
“It’s a vessel that I could put every part of myself into,” Elordi expressed. “In so many ways, the creature depicted in the film is the purest reflection of myself, he embodies more of me than I do.”
Outside the red carpet, several hundred anti-war protested gathered peacefully, hoping to turn the spotlight to the war in Gaza.
Del Toro last appeared in Venice with “The Shape of Water” in 2017, which received the festival’s top honor before earning best picture and best director at the Oscars in 2018. Although Netflix has yet to secure a best picture Oscar, it is heavily investing in “Frankenstein.” Del Toro’s previous film, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” nabbed the streamer its first award for best animated film.
Similar to “The Shape of Water,” “Frankenstein” is a strong contender for top prizes at Venice, where it will vie against films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Bugonia,” Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice,” and Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” Winners will be declared by the jury led by Alexander Payne on Sept. 6.
Netflix plans to release “Frankenstein” in theaters on Oct. 17, before it comes to streaming Nov. 7.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
