The Venice Film Festival is once again set to dazzle the international film community, as Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein, takes center stage for its world premiere on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The city’s iconic canals and red carpets will welcome a wave of excitement, not just for the film’s debut, but for the arrival of its stars, Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, who are expected to attend the festival’s opening weekend. For many, this premiere marks the kickoff to what’s shaping up to be a major awards season push for both the director and his latest cinematic vision, as reported by the Associated Press.
Guillermo del Toro, celebrated for his imaginative storytelling and visual flair, has described Frankenstein as the film he’s been preparing to make for three decades. Speaking to the Associated Press, del Toro said, “It’s the movie that I’ve been in training for 30 years to do.” This statement underscores the personal significance of the project for the Oscar-winning filmmaker, whose previous works have consistently pushed the boundaries of genre and emotion. Del Toro’s passion for the monstrous and the misunderstood is well known, and fans have long anticipated how he would reinterpret Shelley’s tale of creation, ambition, and tragedy.
In this new adaptation, Oscar Isaac steps into the role of Victor Frankenstein, the ambitious scientist whose quest to conquer death unleashes unforeseen consequences. Jacob Elordi, best known for his roles in contemporary dramas, takes on the challenging part of the creature—a role that has captivated generations of actors and audiences alike. The pairing of Isaac and Elordi brings together two of the most sought-after talents in Hollywood, promising a dynamic and emotionally charged retelling of the 19th-century classic.
The Venice Film Festival, renowned for launching some of the most acclaimed films in recent history, holds special significance for del Toro. The last time he graced the festival was in 2017 with The Shape of Water, a film that not only captured the festival’s top prize but also went on to claim the Academy Awards for best picture and best director in 2018. According to the Associated Press, del Toro’s return to Venice with Frankenstein is seen by many as a full-circle moment, further raising expectations for the film’s reception and awards prospects.
But the excitement surrounding Frankenstein extends beyond its creative pedigree. Netflix, the film’s distributor, is betting big on the project. Despite its dominance in the streaming world, Netflix has yet to secure a best picture Oscar for one of its releases. The company’s hopes are high that del Toro’s vision will break that barrier, especially after the success of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, which earned Netflix its first best animated film Oscar. Frankenstein is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 17, 2025, before arriving on the streaming platform on November 7, 2025.
The competition at Venice this year is fierce. Frankenstein will be vying for top honors against a slate of high-profile films, including Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. The winners, to be selected by a jury led by the acclaimed director Alexander Payne, will be announced on September 6, 2025. This lineup reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing a diverse range of global cinema, and the stakes for each entry are undeniably high.
Yet, the festival’s opening night won’t be all glitz and glamour. Organizers have acknowledged that an anti-war march is planned to take place on the evening of the premiere, with demonstrators aiming to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The march is expected to end near the festival grounds, potentially bringing the world’s media spotlight not only to the stars on the red carpet but also to pressing humanitarian concerns. This convergence of art and activism is not new to Venice, a city with a long history of political engagement and public demonstration, but it does add an extra layer of complexity to an already high-profile event.
For del Toro, the world premiere of Frankenstein is more than just another festival screening. It’s the realization of a lifelong ambition, a project he has been nurturing since the earliest days of his career. His deep connection to the material is evident, and many in the industry are eager to see how his signature blend of fantasy, horror, and empathy will manifest in this retelling. Del Toro’s ability to humanize monsters and explore the emotional depths of the outcast has earned him a devoted following, and there is little doubt that his take on Frankenstein will offer fresh insights into the timeless questions posed by Shelley’s novel.
The anticipation surrounding the film is palpable, not just among critics and cinephiles, but also among audiences who have followed del Toro’s career from his early Spanish-language films to his Hollywood successes. The director’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with the talents of Isaac and Elordi, suggests that this adaptation will be both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. The fact that Netflix is positioning Frankenstein as a major awards contender only adds to the sense of occasion.
As the festival draws near, all eyes are on Venice—on the red carpet, the big screen, and the streets outside the festival. The convergence of art, celebrity, and activism promises a premiere that will be remembered not just for its cinematic achievements, but for its place in the broader cultural conversation. Whether Frankenstein will claim the top prize remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Guillermo del Toro’s latest creation is set to make a powerful impression, both in Venice and beyond.
With the world watching, the stage is set for a night where film, history, and real-world events intertwine, reminding everyone that the power of storytelling extends far beyond the confines of the theater.
