In a stunning turn that has left the awards world reeling, Guillermo del Toro’s long-cherished passion project Frankenstein has roared onto the scene like the Creature itself—revived, unstoppable, and defying all expectations. The Netflix gothic masterpiece, once whispered about as “too dark” and “too monstrous” for mainstream prestige contention, secured five major Golden Globe nominations on December 8, 2025, sending shockwaves through Hollywood. Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director for del Toro, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Oscar Isaac (as Victor Frankenstein), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Jacob Elordi (as the Creature), and Best Original Score for Alexandre Desplat. This haul positions the film as a formidable contender, tying with heavyweights and upending early prediction lists overnight.
The nominations announcement triggered instant chaos. Prognosticators scrambled to rewrite their forecasts, critics who had tempered enthusiasm after the film’s Venice premiere suddenly amplified praise, and social media erupted in a frenzy of vindication for del Toro’s visionary gamble. A film dismissed by some as niche horror-fantasy—too grotesque, too unflinching in its exploration of isolation and humanity’s flaws—has emerged as an immortal force, proving that bold, auteur-driven storytelling can still conquer the awards landscape.
Del Toro’s Frankenstein, released theatrically in limited markets on October 17 before streaming globally on Netflix November 7, reimagines Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic with the director’s signature blend of beauty and brutality. Oscar Isaac delivers a tormented Victor, a brilliant scientist consumed by hubris and grief, while Jacob Elordi’s Creature is a revelation: not a lumbering brute, but a tragic, eloquent being yearning for connection in a world that rejects him. Supported by Mia Goth’s haunting Elizabeth and Christoph Waltz’s sinister additions, the film transforms the familiar tale into a lyrical meditation on creation, abandonment, and redemption—infused with del Toro’s Catholic-tinged passion and Mexican folklore sensibilities.
Early festival reactions were solid but cautious: strong reviews at Venice, a runner-up People’s Choice nod at Toronto, but murmurs that its darkness might alienate voters favoring more uplifting fare. Telluride’s late-night screening sparked debate, with some calling it overly indulgent. Yet audience love proved prophetic—a 94% verified score on Rotten Tomatoes, rapturous word-of-mouth, and streaming dominance signaled broader appeal. National Board of Review and American Film Institute top-ten inclusions followed, building momentum that exploded with the Globes.
Hollywood’s meltdown was palpable. Prediction boards collapsed as Frankenstein surged into Best Picture – Drama contention alongside frontrunners like Hamnet, Sinners, and Sentimental Value. Del Toro, already an Oscar darling for The Shape of Water and Pinocchio, earned his latest directing nod in a stacked field including Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, and Chloé Zhao. Isaac’s intense, frenzied Victor landed lead actor recognition opposite powerhouses like Michael B. Jordan and Jeremy Allen White. But Elordi’s supporting nod stole headlines—a breakout validation for the young star’s transformative, deeply humanized Creature, praised as “generational” and the film’s emotional core.
Desplat’s haunting, lyrical score—his latest collaboration with del Toro—rounded out the five, underscoring the film’s technical mastery. Practical sets, no AI shortcuts (del Toro famously decried artificial intelligence during a Gotham Awards tribute), and breathtaking craftsmanship shone through, earning industry respect.
What truly unsettled the establishment, however, was the behind-the-scenes buzz that leaked out. Whispers circulated of internal surprise at the Golden Globes voting body—members reportedly stunned by the film’s resonance, with one anonymous source claiming a private deliberation captured unintended glee: “This monster is alive—and it’s coming for everything.” Though no official 17-second audio leak surfaced publicly, the rumor fueled the narrative of an underdog resurrection, mirroring the story itself. Critics rewrote takes overnight, admitting they underestimated del Toro’s ability to blend horror with profound humanity.
The industry’s reaction speaks volumes. A-list peers like Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jon Favreau publicly championed it, hailing del Toro’s fearless vision. Audience enthusiasm carried it forward, proving streaming prestige can rival theatrical darlings. In a year dominated by safer dramas, Frankenstein‘s embrace feels revolutionary—validating genre-bending risks and emotional rawness.
As the January 11, 2026, ceremony approaches, Frankenstein stands immortal: a once-shelved dream now poised to dominate. Del Toro, who waited decades for this, has crafted not just an adaptation, but a personal manifesto on imperfection and empathy. Hollywood’s chaos? It’s just the beginning. This Creature isn’t going back to the lab quietly.
The awards race has been electrified—and del Toro’s monster is leading the charge.
