Don’t Call Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ a Horror Movie

Conversations about whether or not certain movies or TV shows are horror or not usually exhaust me. It happens a lot when something is of high quality (subjective, I know, but still). There’s this idea that a horror movie can’t be good, so things get relabeled as psychological thrillers or what have ya. It’s a bummer, and often not a conversation the creators are a part of.

However, having people who are involved in a presumed horror movie claiming it isn’t as horrific as people may expect? That’s a different story, and it’s the one currently unfolding around Guillermo Del Toro’s long-awaited take on Frankenstein. Seriously, Del Toro has professed his desire to adapt the story for almost 20 years. The film, finally having its premiere this past Tuesday, feels like a miracle.

While I would never suspect anything Del Toro makes to be particularly straightforward anymore, I’ll be honest and say that I assumed that would be the case for this one. Maybe that’s because I’m more tired than human these days, but I kinda of assumed we’d get something more akin to a Universal monster throwback. According to the director himself, it’s more of a family drama, something Mia Goth, one of the stars, echoed.

Goth, who starred in Pearl, one of my favorite horror films of the last decade plus, noted that she doesn’t “see Frankenstein as a horror film,” and added, “And Guillermo said as much… if anything, it’s a family drama.” I have avoided trailers for this film, as I knew I would see it the moment it was announced. I haven’t even read Lindsay’s review yet to avoid spoilers (but you should, cause she’s great). Now, hearing Goth discuss the complexities of the picture, I’m even more excited.

“It’s a story about fathers and sons, it’s about forgiveness, it’s about redemption, it’s about understanding,” Goth told Deadline. “And I think people might be surprised at how incredibly moving it is and how much heart there is. It’s a story that’s been with Guillermo his whole life; he’s been thinking about this since he was 10 years old.”

To be fair, the movie could have everything Goth is describing and still be a horror movie. Spooky flicks don’t have to be one-note. They’re often better if that’s not the case. There are plenty of scary-ass films that have made me emotional. That means they’ve done their job and then some. I don’t think Goth is trying to claim that Frankenstein is too “good” to be a horror movie, but she’s using some similar arguments.

I’ll be watching this film. I assume it will at least be spooky. If it scares me, great. If it simply sends me on a dramatic rollercoaster with some scary elements, I’m on board. If it’s clearly a horror movie, just one that includes various themes and tones, I will still address it as such. Please don’t be mad at me, Mia.