Guillermo del Toro Says His ‘Frankenstein’ Is More Heart Than Horror

Guillermo del Toro is steering his adaptation of “Frankenstein” away from traditional horror and leaning into something far more personal and emotional.

Speaking during a Cannes Film Festival conversation with composer Alexandre Desplat, del Toro made it clear:

Somebody asked me the other day, does it have really scary scenes? For the first time, I considered that. It’s an emotional story for me. It’s as personal as anything. I’m asking a question about being a father, being a son… I’m not doing a horror movie — ever. I’m not trying to do that.”

The pair, who have previously collaborated on “The Shape of Water” and “Pinocchio,” are teaming up again for the Netflix release, which is expected to arrive this fall.

Though the score is still being finalized, both artists seem to be chasing the same emotional thread. “We’re finding the emotion,” del Toro added. “And what I can say is, for me, it’s an incredibly emotional movie.”

Del Toro has long had a soft spot for misunderstood creatures — a theme that echoes through his work in “Cronos,” “Hellboy,” and “The Shape of Water.” As Desplat put it, “In ‘The Shape of Water,’ the creature is frightening during the first 15 minutes and then becomes a very moving character.”

Netflix’s “Frankenstein” features a cast that includes Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth. Alongside this project, Desplat also has two films in competition at Cannes this year: Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” and Tarik Saleh’s “Eagles of the Republic.”