Frankenstein: By Guillermo del Toro Suitable for Children? Age Ratings and Parental Guide
Frankenstein, by Guillermo del Toro, is based on one of the first science fiction books, which is also a classic of Gothic literature, presenting a creature that has been portrayed in a large number of films and series, including some that have been created for children. Movies like Frankenweenie or Hotel Transylvania play with the concept of Mary Shelley, and they present more versions, “Kid Friendly” of the monster and its creator, where everything has a much more innocent tone, but that is not always the case. Many of the adaptations of Frankenstein are dark, and they have a strong load of philosophical and existential elements, which can only be understood after thinking and reflecting a little, and those adaptations are not exactly suitable for children, especially because they are not suitable for very young children. But, as it is one of the most anticipated films of this year and a director who has some family stories, we must ask ourselves if this adaptation is familiar, or if it is designed for adults and to be seen with judgment and maturity.
What is the Age Rating of ‘Frankenstein’ by Guillermo del Toro?
According to the site “Film Ratings”, the film earned an R rating for “bloody violence and creepy images”, meaning it is not recommended for children under 17 years of age without adult supervision. Although many expected a traditional horror story, their own Del Toro has made it clear that his version does not seek to provoke fear but explore human emotions, family ties, and the weight of creation. Beyond the blood and strong images that justify its R classification, Del Toro has insisted that his version of “Frankenstein” is not a horror movie, but one reflection on parenthood, loss, and responsibility.
Can Children Watch “Frankenstein” By Guillermo del Toro?
Although its narrative focuses on family ties, its visual content can be disturbing for children. Scenes of explicit violence and the design of the monster make the experience more appropriate for older teens and adults.
Cast of “Frankenstein” By Guillermo del Toro
The film has a top-notch cast with Oscar Isaac playing Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi playing the Monster, and Mia Goth playing Elizabeth Lavenza. Oscar Isaac, known for his introspective roles in “Ex Machina” and “Scenes from a Marriage”, promises a more human “Frankenstein”, tormented by his own decisions. In contrast, Elordi, in a much more physical role transformed through prosthetics, represents what Del Toro has always known how to portray with excellence: the pain of the body as a reflection of the soul.
What is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein About?
Starring Oscar Isaac like Victor Frankenstein, Mia Goth like Elizabeth, Jacob Elordi like the creature, Christoph Waltz as a rich man who helps Frankenstein carry out his experiment, and Felix Kammerer like William, Victor’s younger brother, the film is based on the famous novel by Mary Shelley, considered one of the greatest classics of Gothic literature, it tells a story that begins with a man named Victor Frankenstein, a young doctor who, after living a painful childhood, decides to experiment to demonstrate that it is possible to create life from death.
Frankenstein decides to build a perfect creature, using corpse parts to build a new being, and experimenting with electricity to revive that being. Unexpectedly, his experiment succeeds, and his creature comes to life, but it’s not exactly the perfect being the creator expected, so he tries to get rid of that creature and move on with his own life. But abandoning his creation turns out to be one of the great mistakes of his life, which leads to a story marked by death and revenge. The film is told from two perspectives, first that of Victor, who tells the story of what led him to carry out his experiment and, later, to abandon his creature, while the second is told from the perspective of that same creature, who talks about his life after separating from his father and experiencing a series of situations that lead him to understand that the world can be a very cruel and lonely place.
