HORROR MOVIE REVIEW: FRANKENSTEIN (1931)

Let’s jump into another early Universal Monsters gem — Frankenstein! this 1931 classic gave us the blueprint for every "science gone too far" movie that followed. It’s creepy, weird, and surprisingly deep for something made nearly 100 years ago. Directed by James Whale and based (very loosely) on Mary Shelley’s novel, this one isn’t just important — it’s entertaining if you’re into moody black-and-white horror.

Story – 7.5
The story kicks off with Dr. Henry Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with creating life. He ditches his fiancée and friends, holes up in a creepy tower, and starts digging up corpses. With the help of his hunchbacked assistant Fritz, he stitches together a body, zaps it with electricity during a thunderstorm, and boom — it’s alive!

Of course, things don’t go smoothly. The monster (played by Boris Karloff) isn’t evil, but he’s confused, scared, and doesn’t understand the world he’s been dropped into. After a few tragic accidents and one very misunderstood lakeside moment, things go downhill fast. The villagers grab their torches, and well... you know the rest.

The movie moves quick and keeps things simple, but it still finds time to raise some heavy questions about life, death, and whether man should play God. Pretty wild for a movie from 1931.

Monsters/Villains – 9
Let’s be clear: the real monster in this movie might be Dr. Frankenstein. But Karloff’s portrayal of the Creature is what made this a classic. He’s scary, yeah, but there’s also a ton of sympathy there. He never asked to be brought back to life. He didn’t ask for the wrong brain (oops). He just wants to be left alone, but people keep screaming at him or trying to lock him up.

Karloff’s makeup (thanks to Jack Pierce) is still iconic — the flat top, bolts in the neck, heavy eyelids — it’s one of the most recognizable monster looks ever. And it’s his quiet performance — all grunts, stares, and sad confusion — that makes the Creature stand out from the usual movie monsters.

Actors/Characters – 8
Colin Clive plays Dr. Frankenstein with just the right amount of "mad scientist meltdown." He shouts “It’s alive!” with so much intensity it basically became movie history on the spot. Karloff steals every scene he’s in, even without saying a word. His monster is terrifying and heartbreaking all at once.

The supporting cast isn’t super deep, but they do their jobs. Frankenstein’s fiancée, Elizabeth, is there to worry. Fritz is there to mess everything up. And the angry mob? Classic!

JOE Score– 8.5
Frankenstein (1931) is one of the most influential horror movies of all time. It’s weird, moody, and way more emotional than you'd expect. It gave us a monster who wasn’t really a villain and a scientist who maybe was. it still holds up and is A MUST watch — especially around Halloween. Just don’t expect it to follow the book… this is pure Hollywood monster magic.

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