Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, where the Netflix-backed feature drew a reported 15-minute standing ovation. Del Toro walked the Lido red carpet with leads Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi before unveiling the long-anticipated take on Mary Shelley’s classic.
Key Takeaways
- World premiere took place August 30, 2025, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy.
- The screening ended with an approximately 15-minute standing ovation.
- Oscar Isaac portrays Dr. Victor Frankenstein; Jacob Elordi plays the Creature.
- Supporting cast includes Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance and Christoph Waltz.
- Produced by Guillermo del Toro alongside J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber; released by Netflix.
- Del Toro cited a lifelong fascination with the Creature and the need to build the story at a grand scale.
- Premiere attendees included Ted Sarandos, Alexandre Desplat, Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and others.
- Formal release date and distribution specifics were not announced at the premiere.
Verified Facts
The festival confirmed the film’s world premiere on the Lido, positioning Frankenstein among the highest-profile titles at this year’s Venice lineup. Applause reportedly extended to roughly 15 minutes after the credits rolled, a familiar measure of reception at major European festivals.
The film centers on Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a brilliant but self-driven scientist whose drive to create life culminates in the birth of a Creature (Jacob Elordi). The experiment’s consequences unravel both the creator and his creation, steering the story into tragedy.
Frankenstein features an ensemble of notable performers: Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance and Christoph Waltz join Isaac and Elordi. Guillermo del Toro produced the project with longtime collaborator J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber.
At a Venice press conference earlier in the day, del Toro described following the Creature’s story since childhood and emphasized that he waited to mount the film at a scale that would allow him to “reconstruct the world” around the character—underscoring both creative ambition and scope.
The premiere drew a strong industry presence. Among those photographed or listed at the event were Ted Sarandos, Alexandre Desplat, Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Christian Convery, and others connected to the film and festival.
Context & Impact
Long ovations are not uncommon at Venice, where audience enthusiasm often reflects festival excitement more than box office certainty. Still, the extended applause signals a resonant launch for del Toro’s latest, especially for a large-scale literary adaptation with awards-season potential.
For Netflix, a warm Venice reception can bolster positioning ahead of fall campaigns, while for del Toro it marks the realization of a passion project that aligns with his long-standing interest in reimagining genre icons with psychological and visual grandeur.
The combination of Isaac and Elordi in the central roles, together with a prestige supporting cast, suggests a character-driven approach that could appeal to both genre fans and arthouse audiences when distribution details become public.
Cast & Credits
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Guillermo del Toro |
| Producers | Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber |
| Principal Cast | Oscar Isaac (Dr. Victor Frankenstein), Jacob Elordi (the Creature) |
| Ensemble | Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, Christoph Waltz |
| World Premiere | August 30, 2025 — 82nd Venice International Film Festival |
Official Statements
It’s a story I’ve chased since childhood, and I waited until I could build a world worthy of the Creature.
Guillermo del Toro, Venice press conference (Aug. 30, 2025)
Unconfirmed
- Specific release date and rollout plan (theatrical vs. streaming window) have not been announced.
- Final runtime and rating were not disclosed in the festival materials provided.
- Awards campaign strategy and eligibility windows remain to be detailed by Netflix.
- Ovation length is based on eyewitness reporting and may vary by account.
Bottom Line
Frankenstein arrived at Venice to sustained applause and high-profile support, suggesting strong early momentum for Guillermo del Toro’s latest genre reimagining. With Isaac and Elordi anchoring the creator–creation dynamic, the film enters the fall season with palpable interest as audiences await release details.