Frankenstein’s creator brilliantly portrayed by Oscar Isaac combines science and madness in del Toro’s visually striking adaptation of Shelley’s gothic masterpiece.
Frankenstein’s pivotal scene is analyzed by Guillermo del Toro, the celebrated Mexican director and master of monsters, as he breaks down this crucial moment in the film. In this scene, Dr. Victor Frankenstein defends his groundbreaking work in front of an academic disciplinary panel at the Royal Society Medical College.
“In ‘Anatomy of a Scene,’ directors talk about how they create important parts of their movies. New episodes come out every Friday. You can also check out more than 150 videos on YouTube and follow our channel there for updates.”
Guillermo del Toro, photographed during the Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya (Sitges, 2017)
Photo credit: GuillemMedina, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
A galvanic battery, anatomical samples, and a sphere come together to shape a memorable scene in Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s iconic novel, “Frankenstein.” This new version aims to bring the timeless story to life in a bold way, diving into ideas of parental neglect and showing how violence often leads to more violence.
The scene shows Dr. Victor Frankenstein played by Oscar Isaac, as both a crazed scientist and a troubled individual. He presents his experiment to a disciplinary panel of the Royal Society of Medicine College. Using parts from two dead bodies, he has crafted a single being—a creature later known as Frankenstein’s monster, or sometimes referred to as “the immortal man.”
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This moment shows the first time both the tribunal members and the audience learn about Dr. Frankenstein’s true goals. It lays the foundation for the Gothic fairy tale that follows and highlights the outcome of his scientific experiments and personal struggles.
Oscar Isaac
Katrin Neuhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In the video commentary, del Toro stated that the cinematography for the scene was designed to create a dynamic feel, as if it were chasing Victor. They employed dramatic crane shots to keep the camera focused on him, lending the scene a theatrical vibe and adding depth to the movie’s visuals.
Del Toro also mentioned that Victor’s clothes were designed to look like those of a musician. This choice added more complexity to how the character was shown.
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Victor’s revived creation came to life not through CGI effects but with practical effects handled by puppeteers on set. They later edited out the puppeteers using blue-screen technology. Using practical effects gives the creature a realistic presence making it feel genuine in the scene.
Del Toro said, “The brilliance of this sequence is how it reveals Victor’s mission, his motivations, his character, and his complete certainty – a trait shared by all despots and antagonists.”
Oscar Isaac gives an intense and captivating performance as Dr. Frankenstein. He adds layers of complexity to the role, moving past the usual stereotype of the crazed scientist. His portrayal of the character reveals the profound emotions and moral dilemmas at the heart of Mary Shelley’s story, resonating with today’s audience from diverse cultural backgrounds.
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Del Toro’s take on “Frankenstein” appears to deliver a powerful and rich new version of the timeless sci-fi story. He uses practical effects along with his unique visual flair to craft a setting that is both recognizable and original. This invites people to see the tale of Frankenstein’s creature in an engaging and fresh perspective. His style builds a strong emotional base for the story, helping viewers feel more connected to the characters.
Source:
New York Times (Nov. 7, 2025). Watch Oscar Isaac Create Life in ‘Frankenstein’. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/movies/frankenstein-clip.html
Header Image: Image in Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Revised Edition, 1831)
Photo credit: w:Theodor von Holst, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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