Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is now streaming on Netflix. This version presents significant changes to the original narrative, portraying Victor Frankenstein as a cruel creator rather than a brilliant scientist driven by a desire to conquer death. Del Toro's reimagining incorporates contemporary themes of identity, allowing the monster to confront Victor and demand an apology for its creation in a poignant moment before its demise.

Shelley's 1818 novel follows young Victor, who, after losing his mother to scarlet fever, embarks on a quest to defy death by reanimating the dead. In the original story, the monster, after a violent rampage, seeks forgiveness from Victor, suggesting it was born good but became a villain due to suffering and isolation. This idea aligns with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's notion of the "noble savage," which posits that humans are inherently good but corrupted by society.

In contrast, Del Toro's version does not absolve the monster of its violent actions. Instead, it transforms Victor into a one-dimensional villain and the monster into a justice-seeking hero. The adaptation simplifies the complexities of Shelley's narrative, suggesting that Victor's cruelty stems from a harsh upbringing, as his father is depicted as abusive. This change implies a direct correlation between parental behavior and a child's moral compass, a notion that oversimplifies the original story's themes.

In Shelley's tale, Victor is neglectful but not malicious. He abandons the creature out of horror at its appearance. Del Toro's Victor, however, is portrayed as gleefully inspecting men destined for execution, further emphasizing his villainy. Additionally, the character of Elizabeth, who is Victor's fiancée in the novel, is instead engaged to Victor's brother, William, creating a love triangle that adds tension to the plot.

The monster in Shelley's narrative learns to read by observing a family living nearby and later requests a mate from Victor. When Victor refuses, the monster retaliates by killing those Victor loves. In Del Toro's adaptation, while the creature also gains knowledge, the consequences of its actions are framed as Victor's fault. For instance, Elizabeth is depicted as loving the monster, leading to her accidental death at the hands of a jealous Victor. William, in a moment of confrontation, tells Victor, "You are the monster," further shifting blame onto Victor.

Del Toro's adaptation omits several characters and plotlines from the original, including those involving Henry and Justine, which alters the dynamics of the story significantly. This version of "Frankenstein" presents a stark departure from Shelley's complex exploration of creation, responsibility, and the nature of humanity, favoring a more straightforward narrative that emphasizes blame and victimhood.