Frankenstein
Universal Pictures | Release Date: November 21, 1931 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
91
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago ReaderDon Druker
One of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneJohn Petrakis
For its influence alone, this is a movie that more than deserves its classic status. [23 June 2000, p.M]
100
EmpireKim Newman
Beautiful photography, a heartbreaking story, and iconic moments from beginning to end. Absolutely unmissable. Read full review
91
IndieWireBeth Hanna
Whale’s direction nods to German Expressionism — the Escher-like dimensions of Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, the off-kilter camera angles, the long-armed shadows that extend over characters’ faces. Yet something softer anchors the film: sorrow. Read full review
100
Philadelphia Daily NewsEllis Widner
Director James Whale's masterpiece is the definitive monster flick, one of the scariest films of all time. [04 Nov 1994, p.97]
88
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
As much as the later movies diluted the character of the Frankenstein creature, nothing could blunt the impact made by Karloff in the role of the most memorable movie monster of all time. Read full review
100
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Frankenstein works as a fast-moving thriller and, even now, a stylish, frighteningly atmospheric horror film, but also as a sad outcast parable. Frankenstein's creature may be a monstrosity, but he's also instantly sympathetic to anyone who's ever felt like a misfit. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterStaff (Not Credited)
James Whale has done a great job in his direction. This is not an easy thing to direct — just how far to go in playing upon an audience's credulity, it's sympathy, it's nerves. Whale seems to have gone far enough, but not too far. Read full review
70
The New York TimesMordaunt Hall
It is naturally a morbid, gruesome affair, but it is something to keep the spectator awake, for during its most spine-chilling periods it exacts attention. Read full review
90
The New YorkerPauline Kael
Probably the most famous of all horror films, and one of the best.
80
TimeStaff (Not Credited)
Universal entrusted the direction of Frankenstein to James Whale. He did it in the Grand Guignol manner, with as many queer sounds, dark corners, false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted. Read full review
80
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
A stark, solid, impressively stylish film. Read full review
100
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Nothing can detract from the power of the most influential monster movie ever made. Read full review
80
VarietyAlfred Rushford Greason
Looks like a Dracula plus, touching a new peak in horror plays and handled in production with supreme craftsmanship. Read full review
100
Village VoiceElliott Stein
The most influential horror film ever made, this stark and stylish work has a weird fairytale beauty. Boris Karloff gives one of the most indelible performances in American cinema as the monster, misjudged by the society that created him, at once terrifying and pathetic, a moving study of alienation and primitive anger. Read full review
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