Guillermo del Toro’s new take on the classic “Frankenstein” story is a masterclass in creativity and storytelling. Del Toro, known for such movies as “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” “The Shape of Water,” and “Pacific Rim,” brings his unique visual style to the production, creating amazing sets and costumes that add a powerful visual layer to the movie. The monster itself is incredibly well designed, and the visuals are significantly enhanced by the fact that del Toro uses practical effects wherever possible in his movies, and “Frankenstein” is no exception. While CGI was certainly used in the movie, it seemed to be used only when necessary, making the movie and the sets feel authentic and unique because they were actually there. Along with the practical sets, Frankenstein’s Monster was also just as real. In Disney’s 2017 “Beauty and the Beast,” the Beast was an actor who was costumed entirely in green suits and CGI, which sometimes made the Beast feel too fake. But Frankenstein’s Monster was created practically, with the actor covered in makeup and prosthetics, making him feel like a real creature that could exist in the world del Toro created. There is no doubt in my mind that del Toro put a lot of passion and effort into directing this project.

Oscar Issac, known for his roles in “Star Wars,” “Moon Knight,” and “Dune,” brings his powerful acting chops to his performance of Victor Frankenstein, creating a compelling and complicated character. The classic story, first written by Mary Shelley in 1818 and considered the first significant work of science fiction, follows Victor’s obsession with overcoming death, which drives him to make stunning scientific advancements in biology, eventually culminating in the creation of Frankenstein’s Monster, a creature whose nature Victor struggles to understand.

The story itself is compelling straight out of the gate, grabbing the viewer’s attention with fast-paced action and intriguing questions. But be warned, dear viewer, “Frankenstein” is — first and foremost — a story about life, death, and the horrors of body mutilation. While I would not recommend watching this movie while eating your dinner, the very heavy use of gore is not just lazy gross-out cliches but is instead used to showcase the terrors of the body and the mind and add a layer of horror that — at times — made me gasp. “Frankenstein” is an absolute must-watch for fans of the classic or new fans ready to dive into Mary Shelley and del Toro’s world.