Frankenstein: Fathers, Sons, Trauma, and the Creature Who Needed a Parent
“What manner of creature is that? What manner of devil made him?”
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025) gives us plenty of creepy visuals, but there’s more going on here than a mad scientist and his monster. I sit down with friend of the show Stacey Rae Godoy, LMFT, to explore the psychology behind this spooky adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic story.
The Psychology of Frankenstein: Who Is the Real Monster?
Victor Frankenstein wants to cheat death, but he doesn’t seem to think much about what happens after he succeeds. What does it mean to create a life without considering the responsibilities that come with it?
We explore Victor’s difficult relationship with his father, the loss of his mother, and how these early experiences may help us understand his obsession with creating life. Victor’s father emphasizes achievement, status, and tasks, but there isn’t much room for emotional connection. Victor seems to carry some of that same pattern into his relationship with the Creature.
And, of course, we have to talk about the Oedipal stuff. The Frankenstein men definitely seem to have a type!
Trauma, Grief, and the Creature’s Surrogate Father
One of the most moving parts of the movie is the Creature’s relationship with the blind old man. Here, the Creature finds something he doesn’t get from Victor: patience, kindness, and a chance to connect with another person.
Stacey and I discuss how this relationship highlights the Creature’s capacity for care and connection, despite the trauma surrounding his creation. The old man teaches him to read and encourages him to explore his past. For a while, the Creature gets to experience both being cared for and caring for someone else.
We also explore grief, forgiveness, and the ways our relationships can shape us. The movie raises an uncomfortable question: What responsibilities do we have toward the lives we bring into the world?
Listen to Our Frankenstein Psychology Discussion
In this episode of Movie House Sport Psychology, Stacey and I get into family relationships, trauma, ethics, and the complicated business of being human. We also discuss culture, AI, and why it’s probably a good idea to communicate that you’re not the killer when someone asks.
Looking for Help With Anxiety or Performance Pressure?
The psychology of movies can sometimes help us recognize patterns in our own lives. If anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, or pressure are getting in the way of your performance, I provide clinical sport psychology via telehealth for athletes throughout Long Beach, Los Angeles, and the South Bay, as well as throughout California.
If you’d like to talk about whether we might be a good fit, you can schedule a free phone consultation through my website.