Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a literary classic now over 200 years old.
The story of a mad scientist creating a monster stitched together from various body parts has contributed to one of horror’s most enduring monsters. With it, two centuries of plays, movies, and television adaptations. Some adhering close to the material and some making major changes to make the story their own.
Whether tragic, sympathetic, or flat our terrifying, these 8 portrayals of Frankenstein’s monster are the best.
Frankenstein – Boris Karloff
Arguably the most iconic take on the character, Karloff’s performance in Frankenstein launched him into stardom at the age of 43. Understandably so. Karloff only played the monster in three films, yet it’s his portrayal that’s often considered the definitive version. His large, lumbering movements perfectly capture an assembled undead monster trying to work his way through limited motor skills, complete with his trademark grunts and groans. Karloff plays the monster as both naïve and intimidating, and it works like a charm.
“The Munsters” – Fred Gwynne
In all the versions of this character, Herman Munster received the happy ending not usually afforded. It is a sitcom, after all. Created in 1815 by Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Herman eventually found his way to Transylvania where he met and fell in love with Lily Dracula. From there, the pair moved to America, and he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In other words, nothing at all like the source novel. Gwynne was effortlessly affable, which translated well to Herman Munster, a lovable oaf with childlike behavior. And a doting family man, no less. This Munster will charm the pants off of you.
The Curse of Frankenstein – Christopher Lee
Hammer’s take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale is far more gruesome and bloodier, and far removed from the revered Universal classic iteration. Peter Cushing’s Victor Frankenstein wants to give his monster intelligence, so he seeks out a professor and murders him for his brain. Victor’s assistant gets cold feet on the project and tries to stop him, damaging the brain in the process. That creates a violent and psychotic Creature (Christopher Lee) when it’s brought to life. Lee continues the mute, lumbering aspect of the character, but he’s far less sympathetic and much more monstrous here.
Young Frankenstein – Peter Boyle
It wasn’t just Frankenstein that Mel Brooks was parodying here, though it was the main focus. Gene Wilder played a descendant of Victor Frankenstein, with Peter Boyle as his Monster. Being that this is a Brooks comedy, Young Frankenstein is full of over the top gags, slapstick, and plenty of dirty jokes. Including that Frankenstein may have been very generous with the parts he used to assemble the Monster. Boyle, for his part, keeps the trademark movement, shuffling walk and all, but he gets much more to do – like a musical number.
The Monster Squad – Tom Noonan
This childhood favorite gave Frankenstein’s monster another chance to redo that infamous scene from the 1931 film, in which the monster accidentally drowns the little girl who tries to befriend him. In this outing, he forges a beautiful friendship with young Phoebe, and it provides the emotional heartbeat of a movie that pits preteens against Universal’s classic monsters. This time, Frankenstein’s monster gets to be a hero. Tom Noonan’s performance is so enchanting and heartbreaking. His parting shot in the film gets me every time. Bogus.
Frankenhooker – Patty Mullen
Very, very loosely inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel, Frank Henenlotter’s Frankenhooker has all the wacky humor you’d expect and more. When Jeffrey’s fiancée Elizabeth Shelley (get it?) is killed in a lawnmower accident, he decides to bring her back to life. Since most of her parts were shredded to bits, he harvests needed parts from NYC hookers. Meaning that when Elizabeth is resurrected, her instinctual drive is to go seek out customers. Wanna date? Mullen’s signature twitches and her stiff walk as she wanders the streets in search of clientele is a hoot.
“Penny Dreadful” – Rory Kinnear
The first creation of Victor Frankenstein, the Creature was abandoned straightaway, leaving him to figure out his strange existence on his own. This means he has a lot of lingering resentment toward his maker, but endless compassion for others. Even the cruel ones… and boy can the world be cruel. This take on the creature fits closer to the description in Mary Shelley’s novel, but Rory Kinnear- and the series- allows for a much deeper exploration of the character’s pathos. And the result is extremely riveting and poignant. I miss this show.
Depraved – Alex Breaux
Larry Fessenden returns to the director’s chair with this modern update to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. And with it, a very thoughtful approach to the relationship between the mad scientist and his creation. In this version, the creature’s creator, a PTSD suffering field surgeon named Henry (David Call) never abandons his creation. He names him Adam (Alex Breaux), and spends a lengthy span of time teaching motor skills, language skills, and normal daily functions so Adam can survive in civilization. This is a Frankenstein style story so things go awry, naturally, but this time Adam has an easier time articulating his confusion, naivety, and inner pain. It’s a unique and emotionally gripping journey, and Breaux brings it
