Guillermo del Toro has achieved the remarkable feat of crafting a Frankenstein adaptation that feels both faithful to Mary Shelley’s seminal novel and distinctly his own. The director revealed at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere that his connection to the story spans decades, but it was the experience of fatherhood that ultimately unlocked his unique perspective on the classic tale. This deep, personal investment is evident in the final product, which expands the well-known narrative in fascinating and emotionally resonant ways.
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein
The film, starring Oscar Isaac as the troubled genius Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his creation, adheres to the core of Shelley's story while deepening its emotional and logistical foundations. Del Toro provides greater insight into Victor's mania and offers a surprisingly detailed account of the reanimation process, grounding the fantastical elements in a palpable reality.
The most significant shift, however, is the emphasis on a clear father-son dynamic between Victor and the Creature. This reframing transforms the being into an even more tragic figure, heightening the story's pathos. True to del Toro's style, the film is also a visual masterpiece, featuring hauntingly beautiful designs for everything from the costumes to the laboratory equipment.
Audiences can look forward to experiencing this gothic epic in select theaters starting October 17th, followed by its streaming debut on Netflix on November 7th.
Eternity: A Heartfelt Journey into the Afterlife
This charmingly heartbreaking drama, starring Elizabeth Olsen, reimagines the afterlife as a 1970s-style train station governed by strangely strict rules. Olsen's character, Joan, faces an impossible choice upon her death: to spend eternity with her first husband (Callum Turner), who died young, or with her second husband (Miles Teller), with whom she built a life spanning 65 years.
While technically a film about the hereafter, Eternity is ultimately a surprisingly funny tearjerker that explores the nuances of different kinds of love and what it truly means to find one's soulmate. The narrative is compelling enough to keep viewers guessing until its final, chilling moment.
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 14th, with a wider release to follow on November 26th.
Normal: A Missed Opportunity for Absurdist Action
Set in the deceptively named town of Normal, Minnesota, this action-comedy pits interim sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) against a dark secret involving a deal with the Osaka yakuza. On paper, the premise is promising—a blend of Hot Fuzz and Fargo—but the execution unfortunately falls short.
The film struggles to find its tonal footing, being both too absurd and not absurd enough. It is plagued by hard-to-believe coincidences that undermine the story, and it never quite reaches the level of fun its ridiculous premise suggests it should. The movie does feature some well-executed, bloody action sequences, a signature of writer Derek Kolstad, the creator of the John Wick franchise. As of this review, a wider release date has not been announced.
These three films from Day 5 of TIFF 2025 showcase a range of storytelling, from a masterful reimagining of a classic to a poignant exploration of love and loss, and an action-comedy that, despite its potential, doesn't quite hit the mark. Del Toro's Frankenstein stands out as a significant achievement, a project decades in the making that delivers both visually and emotionally.
