Mutant, in partnership with Netflix, proudly presents Academy Award®–winning composer Alexandre Desplat’s score to Guillermo del Toro’s latest masterpiece, Frankenstein.
Since its publication in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has inspired countless cinematic interpretations, many accompanied by exceptional film music. Guillermo del Toro’s vision marks the latest evolution of the story, and in their third collaboration following The Shape of Water and Pinocchio, del Toro and Desplat deliver a score rich with lyricism, emotional depth, and gothic beauty.
Desplat’s music immediately establishes the world of Frankenstein through a haunting seven-note motif representing Victor Frankenstein, supported by ghostly female choirs and a low electronic pulse symbolizing the power of life and death. Solo violin by Eldbjørg Hemsing weaves between natural beauty and deep melancholy, while music for the creature itself is unexpectedly enchanting, at times euphoric, and ultimately tragic.
The birth of the creature is treated with tenderness and restraint, subverting previous adaptations with a lyrical, searching tone. As the story unfolds, the score shifts into deeper melancholy and introspection, reflecting the shared downfall of creator and creation. The film concludes with a powerful reprise of its themes, standing as a profound showcase of Desplat’s artistry and the enduring inspiration of Shelley’s novel. Thoughtful, emotional, and richly textured, Frankenstein is a score that resonates long after the final note.
