On Nov. 7, 2025, Frankenstein, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, was released on Netflix and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s monster.
Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Frankenstein, the mad scientist who creates life, known as Frankenstein’s monster. In the film, he’s often referred to as the “Creature.”Â
Throughout the film, I’ve noticed a recurrent theme of toxic masculinity. This has become a common buzzword nowadays, but what exactly does it mean? According to the Cambridge dictionary, toxic masculinity refers to harmful ideas on how men should behave in society, such as the notion that men shouldn’t cry. Essentially, it’s a societal view of what makes a man, a man. It’s a damaging ideal that teaches men from a young age to suppress any behaviour not seen as “masculine.”Â
There are numerous instances of toxic masculinity and ego throughout the film, even from the very start, with Captain Anderson (Lars Mikkelsen) and his crew stuck in ice. Anderson knows his men are afraid and want to return home, but insists that they are men and must keep going, believing it’s better for them to die than retreat.
Early on in the film, we get a glimpse into Frankenstein’s childhood, where he has a strained relationship with his father (Charles Dance). He’s also shown to have a very close and endearing relationship with his mother (Mia Goth). His father does not approve of this and sees it as a weakness on Frankenstein’s part.Â
The roots of toxic masculinity start with Frankenstein’s father; he’s extremely controlling and protective of his legacy. In one scene where he tests Frankenstein’s knowledge of the human body, he emphasizes that the human heart has nothing to do with feelings, thereby instilling the idea that he must suppress such emotions. When he doesn’t know the answer to a question, his father strikes him in the face with a stick and reminds him of how important a man’s legacy is. He uses fear and violence to harden Frankenstein and turn him into what he believes is a man worthy of carrying his legacy.Â
Using fear to control others is a theme throughout the film, carried out by men who believe it gives them power.Â
Fast forward to Frankenstein finally achieving his life’s mission, bringing to life his monster. At first, he is enamoured with his monster, exhilarated when he’s able to speak and say Frankenstein’s name. After weeks of caring for the Creature and attempting to further his knowledge, when he sees no progress, he begins to grow frustrated with him. This is when learned patterns from his father begin to resurface, and he turns to emotional and physical abuse.Â
But the absolute hatred starts when Frankenstein’s brother, William Frankenstein (Felix Kammerer), and his fiancĂ©e, Elizabeth Lavenza (Mia Goth), come to visit. When Elizabeth wanders off and discovers the Creature chained up, she instantly feels for him and begins to develop a deep care for him. Frankenstein himself had previously confessed his love for his brother’s fiancĂ©e, only to be rejected. When he realizes Elizabeth’s admiration for the Creature, he begins to resent him even more. There’s more of that toxic masculinity rearing its head. Frankenstein’s ego had taken a hit from Elizabeth’s harsh words, and he believes he’s superior to the Creature, which is why he’s confused as to why Elizabeth won’t return his affections. This is another facet of toxic masculinity, unable to handle the rejection, Frankenstein feels insulted and takes his anger out on the Creature.
Let’s go further in the film to when the Creature finally finds Frankenstein after he attempted to leave him in a burning building. Just as Frankenstein repeated the pattern from his father, the Creature now repeats it from Frankenstein; in fact, in one scene, the Creature says, “You only listen when I hurt you.” This line pretty much sums up the men’s line of thinking in this film. Frankenstein’s father hits him to teach him a lesson, Frankenstein does the same to the Creature, and the Creature to Frankenstein. This is a clear mirror of real life, where young men will inherit this type of behaviour from their fathers or anyone in their family who perpetuates this harmful way of thinking.Â
Frankenstein is a brilliant adaptation of Mary Shelley’s famous novel, told in a unique fashion. It’s beautifully designed and leaves the audience with mixed feelings of sympathy and anger. While the idea of creating life with multiple body parts might be pretty far-fetched, the film has never been more real when it comes to the dangerous effects that toxic masculinity has had on our society, and can very well serve as a harrowing warning.