Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein adaptation doesn't just retell a classic—it completely REINVENTS the ending with a radical theme that's going viral: forgiveness. The Creature's journey from monster to martyr will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Shelley's masterpiece.
This isn't just another monster movie. Del Toro spent DECADES brewing this vision, with sketches dating back to 1987. In an exclusive with TheEntBase, he revealed how his personal growth transformed the film's emotional core—proving that timing is everything in Hollywood.
The proof is in the awards: nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture, with Jacob Elordi's haunting Creature performance stealing the spotlight. Del Toro admits making this film earlier would've been a disaster—his evolution as a filmmaker directly shaped that jaw-dropping conclusion.
So what REALLY happens in that explosive finale? And why is the internet obsessed with how del Toro flipped the script on forgiveness? We're breaking down the ending that's dividing fans and critics alike.
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'. Netflix
Young Victor Frankenstein (Christian Convery) isn't your typical mad scientist—he's fueled by DARK trauma. Blaming his abusive father Leopold (Charles Dance) for his mother's death, Victor's haunted by a "dark angel" vision that promises god-like power over life and death. This obsession becomes his entire identity.
Fast forward to adult Victor (Oscar Isaac), who gets kicked out of university for trying to play God with corpses. Enter wealthy patron Henrich Harlander (Christoph Waltz), who funds Victor's insane experiments in a secret lab straight out of a nightmare.
Using body parts from soldiers and criminals, Victor creates the Creature (Jacob Elordi). But when his monster awakens with a slow mind, Victor's frustration boils over. The plot twist? His sister-in-law Elizabeth (Mia Goth) forms an unexpected bond with the Creature—and Victor's jealousy becomes the film's secret villain.
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'. Netflix
Here's where del Toro's genius kicks in: Victor decides to DESTROY his creation, trapping the Creature in a burning tower. In a cruel test, he promises mercy if the monster can say any word besides "Victor." When it whispers "Elizabeth," Victor BETRAYS his promise and lights the fire anyway—a moment that's breaking hearts online.
But the Creature FIGHTS BACK. Hearing its cries, Victor tries to return but gets caught in an explosion that shatters his leg—leaving him permanently disabled with a prosthetic. Meanwhile, the monster escapes by tearing its chains and fleeing through drainage pipes, emerging not as a victim but as a SURVIVOR. This isn't just an ending—it's a statement.
Jacob Elordi as the Creature in 'Frankenstein'. Netflix
