Guillermo del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' receives ovation at Venice Film Festival, moving director to tears

Guillermo del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' received a 14-minute standing ovation at Venice, moving the director to tears.

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where it was met with a 14-minute standing ovation that moved both the director and star Jacob Elordi to tears.

The world premiere took place at Sala Grande on the Lido, with del Toro joined by cast members including Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer and composer Alexandre Desplat.

Netflix executives Ted Sarandos and Dan Lin attended alongside producer Scot Stuber. The screening also drew notable guests such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kaitlyn Dever, Jesse Williams, Jessica Williams and Sofia Carson.

Frankenstein retells Mary Shelley’s classic story, with Oscar Isaac portraying scientist Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the creature. The narrative follows the scientist’s quest to defy nature by bringing life to his creation, leading to devastating consequences for both characters.

In a director’s statement, del Toro reflected on the personal significance of the project: “This film concludes a quest that started at age 7, when I saw James Whale’s Frankenstein films for the first time. I felt the jolt of recognition in that seminal moment: Gothic horror became my church, and Boris Karloff my Messiah.”

The premiere marked a major moment in the festival’s 82nd edition, running from August 27 to September 6. Reports from the screening highlighted the emotional response in the theatre as del Toro’s interpretation was met with extended applause and support from the international audience.

Frankenstein will receive a limited theatrical release on October 17 before launching globally on Netflix on November 7.

The adaptation continues del Toro’s tradition of blending Gothic atmosphere with deeply human themes, offering a fresh take on Shelley’s enduring tale.