Guillermo Del Toro Compares His Victor Frankenstein to Tech Bros

Guillermo del Toro loves his work. There are few filmmakers more passionate about the practical aspects of cinema and their historical importance than he. So, of course he had to make a Frankenstein movie. What better opportunity for a horror nerd and monster lover to bring to life a sumptuous and intricately detailed tale of creation and genius than with Mary Shelley’s iconic novel?

The Frankenstein promo cycle has given del Toro a chance to be his usual charming and nerdy self. He’s also made sure, at every opportunity, to let the world know that he thinks AI sucks. Natasha Lyonne, he ain’t. Or Paul Schrader (no, seriously, what is going on with Schrader and his full-on slide into AI worship? His Facebook page is even weirder than usual.)

While talking to NPR’s Fresh Air, del Toro opened up about seeing James Whale’s Frankenstein for the first time as a child, how his design of the creature came to life, and being a ‘huge fan of death.’ When it came time to discuss generative AI, he was not shy:

‘My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity. I think that’s what drives most of the world’s worst features. But I did want it to have the arrogance of Victor [Frankenstein] be similar in some ways to the tech bros. He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences and I think we have to take a pause and consider where we’re going. …

AI, particularly generative AI — I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak. … The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, “What is your stance on AI?” And my answer was very short. I said, “I’d rather die.”’

My king. Comparing Victor Frankenstein to a tech bro is also wonderfully scathing: they’re both arrogant and spoiled brats who think that their own genius matters above all else, and it ends terribly for them all. But also, imagine asking Guillermo del Toro to use the plagiarism machine in his movies. Yeah, your visuals are breathtaking, and your commitment to practical effects makes your work unique in a landscape of CGI, but have you considered making your movies blander? That’ll put butts in seats.

The push for AI in Hollywood largely seems to be yet another means for the major studios to get out of paying human workers what they’re owed. SAG-AFTRA and the WGA went on strike in part because of these fears. VFX teams are already overworked and underpaid, unable to unionize due to the ways that the industry has been structured. A lot of studios are rejecting traditional make-up and production design options in favour of CGI. Many are hoping to replace extras with AI-generated crowds. For all of the claims that ‘AI is inevitable’ and the industry must adapt, it’s telling how much of this aggression towards implementing a system nobody wants is happening without pro-labor safety measures. It’s almost like that’s the point or something.

So, how can we not root for GDT, a man who loves his job and uses his clout to ensure that the most talented craftspeople in the game are given platforms to shine? People are excited to see Frankenstein because it embraces old-school filmmaking techniques and looks utterly unlike anything else in theatres right now. The movies people have been excited about in 2025 have been ones with unique visions and real craft at their hearts, not slop you could find on any shut-in’s Facebook feed.

I’m Team Guillermo on this. Let him have the last word.

“Fuck AI”

— Guillermo del Toro

🎥 Vanity Fair

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— Culture Crave 🍿 (@culturecrave.co) October 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM