Frankenstein

Frankenstein

movie

NR, 2024, Drama, Fantasy

WISE
62%

WISE Score

86

Avg. Tomatometer

Gothic horror masterpiece exploring creation and consequence—beautifully crafted but emotionally brutal, best for mature teens and adults.

IMDb7.5
RT Critics86%
MC77
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this is a legitimately good movie. The reviews are strong across the board, and Frankenstein remains one of the most philosophically rich stories ever written. The questions it raises about scientific ethics, responsibility, and what makes us human are incredibly relevant right now.

But let's be clear—this is not family movie night unless your family is really into gothic horror and your kids are 16+. It's dark, violent, and emotionally punishing. People die. The creature suffers. Victor suffers. Everyone suffers. That's the point.

For mature teens and adults who can handle horror and appreciate moral complexity, this is excellent. It's the kind of movie that sparks real conversations about ethics, empathy, and the unintended consequences of our ambitions. In 2025, as we're literally creating artificial intelligence and editing genes, Frankenstein hits different.

Just know what you're signing up for: this is enriching and imaginative as hell, but it's absolutely not wholesome or safe for younger viewers. Save it for when your kids are old enough to grapple with tragedy and moral ambiguity—then have a great conversation about it afterward.

Age Fit

This is firmly 16+ territory—mature teens who can handle horror imagery and philosophical darkness will find it rewarding. Adults will appreciate the ethical complexity and timeless questions about creation and responsibility. Not appropriate for younger teens despite the literary pedigree.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
45

Gothic horror exploring themes of abandonment, revenge, and moral failure. The creature's tragic arc involves murder and the destruction of Frankenstein's loved ones. While emotionally complex, the tone is dark and melancholic with minimal modeling of healthy relationships or cooperation. The pacing fits the genre but the emotional landscape is bleak.

Imaginative
82

Mary Shelley's story remains one of literature's most enduring explorations of creation, hubris, and what it means to be human. The 2025 adaptation brings fresh visual interpretation to the classic tale. The premise invites philosophical questions about science, ethics, and responsibility. Strong marks for originality in its source material and the timeless 'playing God' concept.

Safe
38

Common Sense Media rates this 16+, and as a horror film it likely contains disturbing imagery, violence, death scenes, and potentially graphic creature effects. The story inherently involves murder, suicide, and psychological torment. Without an MPAA rating visible, but given the genre classification and CSM recommendation, expect significant scary/violent content that would be inappropriate for younger viewers to encounter unexpectedly.

Enriching
85

Exceptional philosophical and ethical depth. Explores consequences of unchecked ambition, the responsibilities of creators to their creations, isolation, prejudice, and humanity's capacity for both cruelty and compassion. Strong critical reception (86% RT critics, 78 Metacritic) suggests thoughtful execution. Offers meaningful discussion about scientific ethics, empathy, and moral accountability—highly relevant in our AI age.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Stellar critical reception (86% critics, 94% audience) suggests this is a genuinely well-crafted adaptation of a literary classic
  • Timely philosophical questions about scientific responsibility and the ethics of creation—eerily relevant in the age of AI
  • The creature's perspective offers profound lessons about prejudice, isolation, and what we owe those we bring into the world
  • Rich discussion fodder for families with older teens about ambition, accountability, and empathy
  • High production values expected from a 2025 Netflix release with strong review scores

What to Watch For

  • This is horror—expect scary imagery, violence, death scenes, and potentially graphic effects involving the creature's creation and victims
  • Emotionally heavy throughout: suicide, murder, revenge, and pervasive themes of abandonment and despair
  • The 16+ rating is no joke—younger teens may find this genuinely disturbing, not just 'scary movie' scary
  • Zero feel-good moments here; this is tragedy through and through

Conversation Starters

  • "Victor abandons his creation the moment he sees it. What responsibility do we have to things we create—whether it's AI, kids, or scientific experiments?"
  • "The creature becomes violent after being rejected by society. How much of who we become is shaped by how others treat us?"
  • "If you had Victor's scientific ability, what would you want to create? What ethical boundaries would you set for yourself?"
  • "The story was written in 1818 but feels relevant today. What modern technologies or scientific advances does this make you think about?"

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