In this episode of The VFXShow, Matt Wallin, Jason Diamond, and Mike Seymour dive into Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited passion project: Frankenstein (2025), the American gothic drama that reimagines Mary Shelley’s landmark 1818 novel through del Toro’s unmistakable visual and emotional sensibilities.
The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, an inspired pairing that grounds the story in a compelling blend of psychological intimacy and operatic scale. Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz round out the cast, delivering the kind of textured performances that have become a hallmark of del Toro’s ensembles.
A project decades in the making, Frankenstein is one of del Toro’s most personal films. Initially developed at Universal during their brief flirtation with a “Dark Universe,” the project was eventually shelved—only to be resurrected by Netflix in 2023, where it finally found the creative freedom and backing to come to life. Principal photography ran from February to September 2024, pairing meticulous practical craftsmanship with bold digital artistry.
On the show, the team discusses the film’s remarkable production design, its blend of handcrafted effects and cutting-edge VFX work, and the way del Toro’s Creature is portrayed with both physicality and vulnerability. They also explore the challenge of balancing gothic drama with modern cinematic expectations—and how the visual effects team brought to life the strange, unsettling beauty that defines this new interpretation.
In addition – the team then has a somewhat lengthy (but incredibly interesting) discussion on breaking into the industry !
Whether you’re a longtime admirer of del Toro’s work or fascinated by the evolving craft of creature creation, this episode offers a deep dive into one of 2025’s most striking films.
At the start of the show, Mike expresses his frustration and disappointment over comments made by actor Christoph Waltz during a recent press event for the film. Below is the exchange in question, along with the director’s response that followed.
We all understand that films—and actors—are routinely criticised by the press and on social media. But this is something different. This is an actor publicly belittling the work of his fellow filmmakers. The arrogance of it, even if intended as a cheap joke, is astonishing. Waltz’s performance in this film is elevated by the extraordinary work of the VFX artists who helped bring the world of Frankenstein to life.
To insult fellow creatives, and to perpetuate the tired notion that anything achieved through CGI is somehow “less real,” is not only dismissive—it is absurd. Nearly everything on a film set is constructed: the props, the environments, the “historical accuracy,” and, yes, the very illusions actors rely on to craft their performances. To pretend otherwise, especially in a film so deeply shaped by visual effects, is frankly ludicrous.
Mike unpacks why these kinds of remarks matter, and why respecting every craft in filmmaking is essential—not just for the artists behind the scenes, but for the integrity of the industry as a whole.
This week, panel’s creatures, monsters and abominations are
Matt Wallin * @mattwallin www.mattwallin.com
Follow Matt on Mastodon: @[email protected]. and letterboxd.com/mattwallin/
Jason Diamond @jasondiamond www.thediamondbros.com
Mike Seymour @mikeseymour www.fxguide.com. + @mikeseymour
Special thanks to Matt Wallin for the editing & production of the show with help from Jim Shen.
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