Gothic architecture, with its towering arches and elaborate stonework, continues to captivate audiences centuries after its medieval origins, serving as inspiration for modern art, cinema, and creative imagination. In his highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of "Frankenstein," renowned Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro not only resurrects Mary Shelley's timeless tragic tale but also showcases the haunting beauty of Gothic architecture as an enduring artistic language of stone, shadow, and melancholy.
Del Toro's commitment to authenticity led him to film at genuine Gothic locations, including Edinburgh, Scotland's historic Royal Mile near St. Giles Cathedral. This famous thoroughfare features spired facades and weathered masonry that appear to emerge directly from a Gothic fantasy. Rather than relying exclusively on computer-generated imagery, del Toro chose to create handcrafted, epic-scale set designs that honor the traditional craftsmanship associated with Gothic architecture.
A prime example of this dedication can be seen in del Toro's interpretation of Victor Frankenstein's laboratory, portrayed by Oscar Isaac in the film. This crucial setting serves as the creative crucible where the creature, played by Jacob Elordi, is brought to visceral life. The laboratory is anchored by a magnificent circular window that crowns a tower constructed entirely from native Scottish stone, demonstrating del Toro's attention to authentic materials and construction methods.
This approach to Gothic architecture isn't new territory for del Toro, whose filmography consistently explores the poetic relationship between decay and divinity. Throughout his body of work, he has successfully translated the architectural vocabulary of Gothic design into powerful cinematic emotion and mythology. His films serve as architectural allegories that are as much about the physical spaces as they are about the stories themselves.
Del Toro's previous works showcase this architectural obsession brilliantly. In his 2015 Victorian Gothic romance "Crimson Peak," he created the bleeding, neo-Gothic Allerdale Hall, which became a character in its own right. Similarly, his 2006 Oscar-winning film "Pan's Labyrinth" drew inspiration from medieval Spanish cathedrals and labyrinthine vaults, with production designer Eugenio Caballero and set decorator Pilar Revuelta earning the Academy Award for Best Art Direction for their work on the film.
The enduring appeal of Gothic architecture in del Toro's "Frankenstein" demonstrates how this medieval architectural style continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. By combining authentic Gothic locations with meticulously crafted sets, del Toro creates a visual language that speaks to both the grandeur and the darkness inherent in Shelley's original narrative, proving that Gothic architecture remains one of history's most emotionally evocative artistic styles.
