Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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1:27

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

R

1994

2h 3m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

As Viktor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) is dying he shares a tale of gruesome terror with a sea captain. Viktor, using previous experiments by a brilliant scientist, was able to bring a creature (Robert De Niro) assembled from body parts back to life. Once he realized how destructive his experiments had become, he abandoned the creature and tried to live a normal life with his fiance (Helena Bonham Carter). The lonely creature seeks out Viktor and demands one of two things: a bride or revenge.

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Critics Consensus

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is ambitious and visually striking, but the overwrought tone and lack of scares make for a tonally inconsistent experience.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

It’s too bad that the filmmakers couldn’t include women in their reverence with the sort of understanding that Mary Shelley showed toward men.

Rated: 1/4

Jun 6, 2022

Full Review

Rocco T. Thompson

Slant Magazine

A film as misshapen and compelling as its central creature, Mary Shelleys Frankenstein is a beautiful monstrosity in 4K.

Apr 7, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Branagh's version is too respectful and ultimately, well, lifeless.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 27, 2019

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

As a gothic horror tale, Branagh strives to infuse it with dark atmospheres and a solemn tone that serve to showcase a made-up Robert De Niro, but his noisy narrative often ends up stumbling on its own excessive theatricality. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Sep 16, 2025

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a briskly-paced yet mostly uninvolving adaptation...

Rated: 1.5/4

Jul 19, 2022

Full Review

Anthony Arrigo

Dread Central

The movie may be uneven, but Arrow's release is gorgeous.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 9, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

A must see . Dynamic and impressive . the sorry is moving and quite scary . Love this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/25

Full Review

David N.

Decent novel adaptation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 3 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

Full Review

Christopher L

I really enjoyed so many elements of this film visually, and I thought De Niro made a great monster, however this is overall a pretty difficult movie to get through. Cringe worthy in so many places and overly dramatic when it should play its cards more subtle and somber. This could have been a home run with a more seasoned director. Worth one watch just to say you’ve seen it and for De Niro, and that’s only if you’re having a hard time finding something to watch.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

Full Review

Rami A

Kenneth Branagh must have confused the plot of the novel with another one of Shakespeare's plays. It's hard to miss, and that just hurts this movie. The misplaced elements not only detract from the story’s original essence but also leave viewers feeling disconnected from the characters. The richness of the source material deserves better than to be overshadowed by such glaring inconsistencies. Overall, it feels like a missed opportunity to bring a timeless tale to life with the depth and nuance it truly deserves.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Carlos I

Kenneth Branagh's 1994 adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is an unfairly derided film that, while not as scary or consistently compelling as its source material demands, offers a surprisingly rich and thought-provoking experience. It boasts a lot of interesting thematic and visual ideas, delving into the philosophical and emotional turmoil of creation and abandonment. Furthermore, the movie features a series of truly fantastic performances, most notably from Branagh himself as Victor Frankenstein and Robert De Niro as the Creature, both delivering intense and nuanced portrayals that elevate the material.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

Full Review

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Kenneth Branagh

Director

Robert De Niro

The Creature

Kenneth Branagh

Victor Frankenstein

Tom Hulce

Henry Clerval

Helena Bonham Carter

Elizabeth

Aidan Quinn

Capt. Robert Walton

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Done With Man

3:30

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Blind Old Man

3:55

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Killing Elizabeth

1:41

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Missing Child

2:40

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Wedding Night

1:23

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Bride of Frankenstein

2:58

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Dancing With the Bride

2:13

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Its Alive!

2:09

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - Will You Marry Me?

2:48

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Bride Burns

3:13

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Trailer 1

1:27

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Synopsis

As Viktor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) is dying he shares a tale of gruesome terror with a sea captain. Viktor, using previous experiments by a brilliant scientist, was able to bring a creature (Robert De Niro) assembled from body parts back to life. Once he realized how destructive his experiments had become, he abandoned the creature and tried to live a normal life with his fiance (Helena Bonham Carter). The lonely creature seeks out Viktor and demands one of two things: a bride or revenge.

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola, John Veitch, James V. Hart
Screenwriter: Steph Lady, Frank Darabont
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 4, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.0M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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