Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant young physician whose mother's death during childbirth haunts him. He becomes consumed by the idea that science can conquer death and, with a team of assistants, begins to experiment with reviving lifeless matter. He gathers parts from corpses, designs a reanimation method, and breathes life into a being who is physically powerful but emotionally naive. As the creature learns about the world, its presence forces Victor to confront the price of playing god and the fragile line between creation and responsibility. The pursuit pulls Victor away from his fiancée Elizabeth and his friend Henry Clerval, setting in motion consequences he never anticipated. The film balances science with emotion, showing how ambition strains personal ties everywhere.

Kenneth Branagh directs this lush adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, presenting a faithful period setting with theatrical performances. The film brings together a star ensemble headed by Branagh himself and Robert De Niro as the Creature, and a striking score.

The movie earned roughly 112 million dollars worldwide on a 45 million budget, marking a solid return for a period drama with genre appeal. The broad audience reach extended across North America and international markets, giving the project enduring visibility.

De Niro's Creature remains a memorable visual and performance centerpiece, while Branagh's production design emphasizes candlelit laboratories and wind-swept moors. The film contributed to a renewed appetite for Frankenstein on screen and rippled through stage and fashion circles with its Gothic romance vibe. Its look heavily influenced later gothic thrillers.

Critics noted the film's ambitious scope and strong performances, even as some found the pacing heavy in places. It foregrounds themes of grief, responsibility, and the ethical costs of scientific ambition, giving a human dimension to a classic horror tale. The dialogue about responsibility remains relevant in discussions of bioethics.