Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: A Visual Masterpiece of Amber and Steel Blue

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited film “Frankenstein” premiered globally on Netflix. The movie features Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz in a fresh take on the classic tale. It marks del Toro’s fifth collaboration with cinematographer Dan Laustsen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the director and cinematographer reunited to create a distinct visual world. They built the film’s look around a dramatic contrast of amber and steel blue tones. This choice defines the movie’s emotional and visual landscape.

Creating a World with Light and Shadow

Del Toro and Laustsen planned every scene meticulously. They used mood boards and color-coded sketches as guides for the entire crew. This ensured a unified vision for costumes, sets, and lighting from the start.

The team committed to a purely practical production approach. Laustsen confirmed there was not one blue screen shot used in the entire film. All sets, including a full-scale ship on a gimbal, were built physically.

They shot the entire film on Alexa 65 cameras with wide-angle Leica lenses. This large-format choice allowed for deep-focus, sweeping camera movements. Laustsen compared the feel to shooting on classic 70mm film.

A Philosophy of In-Camera Craft

The film’s most complex sequence is the creature’s creation. It transitions from sunset to rain to lightning strikes entirely with practical effects. Designing this blend of elements was a significant challenge for the crew.

They employed old theater tricks, like using steam to simulate flowing water. This technique, first used in “The Shape of Water,” lets actors perform comfortably. The result on screen is remarkably convincing.

The commitment to real elements extended to every detail. All torchlight in the film comes from actual flaming torches. This creates organic, shifting light that digital effects cannot replicate.

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” redefines the classic monster story through its bold visual poetry. The film is now streaming, showcasing a powerful commitment to practical cinematic artistry.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein a horror movie?

Del Toro and cinematographer Dan Laustsen describe it more as a love story about forgiveness. While it has gothic elements, its core is an emotional character drama, not a traditional horror film.

Q2: Who stars in the new Frankenstein movie?

The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, with Mia Goth as Elizabeth and Christoph Waltz playing the detective. Their performances anchor del Toro’s unique reinterpretation of the story.

Q3: What is the visual style of the film?

The entire movie is built on a contrast of “amber and steel blue” colors. It uses dramatic, single-source lighting and was shot on large-format digital cameras to create a deep, immersive look.

Q4: Where can I watch Frankenstein?

The film is available to stream globally on Netflix. It had a premiere at the Venice Film Festival and a limited theatrical run before its Netflix debut on November 7.

Q5: Was the movie shot with practical effects?

Yes. The production avoided blue screens, building full-scale sets and using miniatures, real fire, and atmospheric steam. The goal was to achieve everything in-camera where possible.