Robert Eggers, known for his modern horror films, has become a big name in the genre. However, even with his talent, he couldn’t figure out how to adapt the classic monster story Frankenstein. Eggers made a name for himself with original horror movies like The Witch and The Lighthouse.
Later, he explored the Scandinavian legend of Amleth with The Northman. For Nosferatu, a project he worked on for nearly ten years, Eggers took on his first remake. The movie turned out to be both a critical and commercial hit.
In a recent chat with Curzon about Nosferatu, Robert Eggers shared how he picks and writes his projects. During the discussion, he talked about trying to create his own version of Frankenstein. He explained that he started working on it shortly after his son was born. But after two weeks, Eggers realized it wasn’t turning out well and decided to drop the idea.
Sometimes, you just know something isn’t working. Robert Eggers shared his excitement for Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein but admitted his own attempt didn’t go well. After his son was born, Eggers felt a natural pull to write Frankenstein, likely inspired by becoming a parent. However, as he started writing, he quickly realized it wasn’t going to work. Within two weeks, he gave up, saying, “It was impossible, and honestly, it was terrible.”
Related: Robert Eggers Says Lily-Rose Depp’s Audition for ‘Nosferatu’ Brought Him to Tears
Robert Eggers might think his version of Frankenstein wouldn’t have been good, but many fans would likely disagree. His honesty about the project is admirable, but his track record proves he’s a talented storyteller. While The Witch got mixed reviews when it first came out, audiences have grown to appreciate it over time. In fact, all four of his movies have been praised and currently hold perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Take a look at the chart below to see the scores for Eggers’ films.
| Title | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Witch | 91% | 60% |
| The Lighthouse | 90% | 72% |
| The Northman | 90% | 64% |
| Nosferatu | 85% | 75% |
If Robert Eggers had gone ahead with his version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, he would’ve joined a growing list of filmmakers releasing Frankenstein-inspired movies in recent years. These films have seen mixed reactions.
For example, Diablo Cody’s Lisa Frankenstein, a romantic comedy twist, got the same mixed reviews as her earlier cult hit Jennifer’s Body. Meanwhile, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster and Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, received high praise. Looking ahead, 2025 will bring two new versions: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!.
Even though Eggers wasn’t confident in his take on the story, it doesn’t mean he’s done with the idea. Eggers showed his dedication with Nosferatu, a project he worked on for years before it became a reality. He started developing it before his first movie was even released and only made it happen after finding the right team to support his vision. If Eggers ever decides to revisit Frankenstein, his passion for his projects could make it just as successful as his latest hit.
Since Robert Eggers feels uncertain about adapting Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, it might be better for him to focus on a project he’s truly passionate about. However, considering how amazing Nosferatu turned out, it could actually be exciting to see him take on Bride of Frankenstein.
Eggers did a fantastic job capturing the Romantic era in his Nosferatu remake, and his decision to focus on a strong female lead instead of Dracula’s male-centered story shows he has the perfect mindset for reimagining Bride of Frankenstein.
Source: Curzon