The Classical Mind Goes to the Movies: Frankenstein (2025)

About this episode

Junius and Wesley discuss the latest film adaptation of Frankenstein, exploring its fidelity to the original novel and the implications of cinematic retellings.

In this episode, Junius and Wesley take on the latest film adaptation of Frankenstein , asking what makes a great adaptation of a classic work — and whether this one succeeds. From Mary Shelley’s 19th-century vision of creation and responsibility to modern cinematic retellings, they explore how filmmakers interpret, distort, and occasionally deepen the original novel’s moral and theological questions. Along the way, they consider what’s lost and what’s gained when literary imagination meets the visual power of film. Be sure to check out the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson that Junius speaks about a few times in the episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Hosts: Junius, Wesley

Topics covered

• film adaptation
• Frankenstein
• literary interpretation
• moral questions
• theological questions
• cinema
• adaptation analysis

Keywords

• Frankenstein
• film adaptation
• Mary Shelley
• A.S. Peterson
• moral questions
• theological questions
• cinema
• literary adaptation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Frankenstein

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