Monster Applause: Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ Premieres at Venice Film Festival 2025
- Taylor Lynn
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
From Standing Ovations to Tearful Triumphs—Elordi’s Creature Ushers in a New Era for Gothic Cinema in del Toro’s Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated 'Frankenstein' premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2025, where Jacob Elordi’s performance as the creature stole the spotlight and drew a remarkable 13-minute standing ovation.
The premiere was an emotional event for both cast and audience. As the credits rolled at the historic Sala Grande theater, del Toro, Elordi, and Oscar Isaac (Victor Frankenstein) were visibly moved, sharing tears and embraces as the crowd celebrated the film. Del Toro’s adaptation, vying for the Golden Lion, reimagines Mary Shelley’s seminal work as a gothic, family-centered drama—rather than a horror or sci-fi cautionary tale—focusing on themes of hubris, the quest for meaning, and empathy under extreme conditions.
Oscar Isaac delivered a nuanced take on the tormented scientist, but it was Jacob Elordi’s Creature that provided the film’s soul, transforming a visually lavish spectacle into an emotionally resonant story. Critics note that while the film’s first half dazzles with sumptuous sets, macabre imagery, and Alexandre Desplat’s sweeping score, it truly comes alive once Elordi enters. His portrayal infuses the monster with curiosity, pain, and an unexpected sense of humanity, shining fresh light on a familiar tale.
Elordi’s process included spending up to 10 hours daily in makeup for the role, donning translucent skin to evoke the monster’s vulnerability and transformation. Speaking at the festival, Elordi explained, “It was a vessel I could put every part of myself into… the creature on screen is the purest form of myself. He’s more me than I am.” Del Toro added, “Jacob's eyes are so full of humanity. I cast him because of his eyes.”
Other notable cast members—Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer—joined in the celebrations, while celebrities and Netflix executives lent the event added star power. The production, completed with a $120 million budget, will see a limited theatrical release on October 17th and a global Netflix streaming premiere on November 7th, 2025.
Del Toro insists his 'Frankenstein' is not a metaphor for artificial intelligence, instead focusing on timeless dangers: unchecked ambition and the struggle to maintain empathy in an imperfect world. This Venice premiere marks a turning point for both del Toro and Elordi, setting the film up as a major contender for international awards and redefining the monster classic for a new era.
Venice Film Festival 2025 The Venice International Film Festival, organized by La Biennale di Venezia and officially recognized by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations), is the world’s oldest film festival, held annually on the Lido di Venezia. The festival’s goal is to raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms as art, entertainment, and industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. The 82nd edition runs from August 27 to September 6, 2025, featuring world premieres, restorations, and a range of competitive and non-competitive sections that spotlight the finest achievements in global cinema.