Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Victor Frankenstein (2015) is a film based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Modern Prometheus, published in 1818.

Superstars James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe are electrifying in this action-packed thriller that breathes new life into one of the most famous horror tales of all time. Radical scientist Victor Frankenstein and his faithful assistant, Igor, share a noble vision of helping humanity through their groundbreaking research into immortality. But when Victor’s experiments go too far, his obsession has terrifying consequences and only Igor can bring his friend back from the brink of madness… and save him from his monstrous creation!

I’ve never been a Harry Potter fan… but I do love seeing Daniel Radcliffe elsewhere! Well, I hated Guns Akimbo (2019) and that film doesn’t count for me, but I loved seeing this actor in The Lost City (2022), The Woman in Black (2012), Now You See Me 2 (2016) and especially in Swiss Army Man (2016), Imperium (also 2016) and Jungle (2017). Apart from that, I absolutely must watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) soon!

McAvoy & Radcliffe are both British and perfect to play in this film set in England, in London itself. They both like to get to the bottom of things and put their heart and soul into their roles.

James is a hell of an actor and I think this was one of my favourite roles of his. We’re also lucky enough to see another British actor, Charles Dance, stealthily playing the role of his father. I liked Roderick Turpin (best known for his portrayal of Jim Moriarty in the British series Sherlock) as Scotland Yard’s top detective. Spencer Wilding and Guillaume Delaunay take turns playing Prometheus, a prototype of Frankenstein’s monster.

This film was directed by Paul Mcguigan, which I wasn’t too keen on, given that he had made the fairly bad Wicker Park (2005) and Push (2009). So I gave up and didn’t want to see his other films. But I really liked this one, with its lines like ‘I dream of a world where hope replaces fear’ or “God, if he exists, brought us all into this world imperfect. We are weak, fragile and doomed to die.”

The most prominent female character is played by the wonderful Jessica Brown Findlay, who is not just anyone, given that she is in the film England Is Mine (2017) about the life of Smiths singer Morrissey before he/they became famous. But she is also in the series Downton Abbey, Harlots, Brave New World and Castlevania. An excellent actress! Nothing to say about her…

I’ve always been fascinated by this story, whether through the book or Kenneth Branagh’s wonderful and faithful adaptation, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994). And there are still so many films about Frankenstein that I haven’t seen!

Frankly, I wasn’t disappointed. It’s so gripping and energetic, with, of course, a freedom that some might find hard to resist, because, yes, it’s not very faithful to the book, apparently, but I like what they’ve done with it and it means you don’t feel like you’re watching the same film over and over again! It leaves a bit of a surprise for those who have seen all the other films or who have read this great book.

If ever, the story isn’t really based on the monster this time, but more on the project and especially the new duo that emerges from this film. Indeed, Doctor Victor Frankenstein has an assistant in this feature film. It’s a really fascinating and interesting duo to follow in their madness, their projects, their limitless imaginations and creations. We really see Victor’s absolute determination and Igor’s transformation and fear (a character I found wonderful and well worked), with a good evolution, especially at the beginning. So really, the central point is the duo, which is successful and carries the story. Then there are a few liberties taken with Victor’s past… which are consistent with the film’s story and therefore justified.

There’s nothing to complain about: the story isn’t faithful, but it’s credible, gripping, fast-paced, with good characters and a good atmosphere. Yes, let’s talk about the very London, Victorian atmosphere! It’s highly enjoyable and beautiful, and the direction really brings it out. The direction is energetic, very effective and well inspired, I think, with nervous editing and some rather well-crafted ideas, such as seeing through the body…

It’s a good job, and the special effects are very well done. And to finish off, let’s come back to the actors: James McAvoy is sweating with emotion, he’s really got the talent to feel everything that’s going on: with his madness, his determination, etc. He really has a great range of emotions. He really has a great range of facial expressions.

Daniel Radcliffe has surprised more and more people over the years, and I don’t think he needs to prove any more that he’s not just Harry Potter! It’s fabulous that he’s made so many films, that he’s had so much screen time, because he’s a very good actor.

That’s all there is to it! You just have to like modern retellings and be open-minded. Personally, that convinced me!

So, I didn’t love everything about it, it’s not a film I’ll watch often, or all the time, it has its less interesting moments, but it’s nice to see some really good films in a world where half the films are just rubbish.

In conclusion:

This new translation of Frankenstein is yet another transposition of the myth, but this time it has the particularity of revolving around the relationship between Doctor Frankenstein and his faithful right-hand man, Igor. Once again, Fox wanted to dust off and update, with a bigger budget and more special effects, a licence that has been rebooted so many times. Some will say: ‘And although this feature film is rather innovative in its treatment of the characters, they’ve missed the boat!’, which is not my opinion. It’s not perfect, but it’s very good, and frankly, it’s not bad at all!