At the Cannes Film Festival, Guillermo del Toro provided insights about his upcoming Netflix film, *Frankenstein*, slated for release later this year. Contrary to expectations regarding horror elements, del Toro clarified that the film is deeply personal and not a horror movie. He expressed his intent to explore themes of fatherhood and identity, stating, “It’s an emotional story for me. It’s as personal as anything.” He emphasized that he is “not trying to do” a horror film, despite his extensive background in the genre.
Del Toro’s Approach to Storytelling
Although del Toro is known for his work on horror films like *Cronos* and *The Devil’s Backbone*, his later works evolve beyond traditional horror into realms of gothic fantasy and dark fairy tales. For instance, *Pan’s Labyrinth*, while featuring chilling elements such as the Pale Man, is more accurately described as a fantasy and an allegory about the harsh realities of war through a child’s perspective.
Romance Over Horror
Recurring Themes in Del Toro’s Work
The exploration of marginalized figures is a recurring motif in del Toro’s films. His adaptation of Hellboy and the love story between Elisa and the Amphibian Man echo this theme of understanding the misunderstood. At Cannes, he recalled a pivotal moment from *The Seven Year Itch*, where Marilyn Monroe’s character empathizes with the creature from *The Creature from the Black Lagoon*, which helped shape his worldview regarding perceptions of others.
Expectations for *Frankenstein*
Del Toro’s *Frankenstein* promises to align with the emotional depth found in his previous works. By focusing on the complex relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his creation, it appears to echo themes explored in his recent film, *Pinocchio*. Del Toro stated, “For me, it’s an incredibly emotional movie,” emphasizing the significance of parental relationships in storytelling. This thematic connection further suggests that *Frankenstein* will continue to reflect del Toro’s signature approach of melding emotional narratives with fantastical elements.