Frankenstein's Monster (Universal)

## The Monster

"We belong dead." (Bride of Frankenstein)

Frankenstein's Monster

Frankenstein

**Frankenstein's Monster** is one of the main characters in the Universal Monsters series.

He made his debut as the main antagonist of the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel *Frankenstein* and returned in nearly every other instalment. He was the creation of Dr. Henry Frankenstein and eventually became hostile and violent due to his mistreatment from society.

This version was portrayed by Boris Karloff.

## Why This Version of Frankenstein's Monster Rocks

1. Despite this version being a drastic contrast from the original novel's fast learner genius traits, this version still gets the basic concept of the monster down, and is still vastly sympathetic and downright pitiful. In some ways, he's even more tragic the novel counterpart, since at least that version had smarts to make him feel special; this version is just a brainless creature with the mind of a child (and also a criminal).
	* In the 1931 film, the murders he had committed were either in self-defense (Fritz was sadistically torturing him, and Walden was going to vivisect him) or by accident (he tossed a little girl named Maria into a lake, thinking she'd float like her flowers) proving that even with a criminal brain, he's got a heart of gold.
	* As of *Bride of Frankenstein*, The Monster has a body count at least 10 people, no proper reason for it until the end when he kills Pretorius, and yet *still* manages to not be completely detestable, as he just didn't understand his own actions or the world around him until he's taught some very basic ethics by the hermit.
2. Adding to the sympathetic monster factor and the "Humans Are the Real Monsters" factor, he serves as a foil to his creator an every way possible:
	* The monster has a desire to go out into the sunshine, which contrasts with Dr. Frankenstein's desire to go perform sicko experiments in a dank, dark castle.
	* This monster has fun playing with a little girl, which contrasts with Dr. Frankenstein's desire to create a "child" out of corpse bits instead of creating a baby by, you know, actually getting married and having a child.
3. Boris Karloff absolutely *kills* it as the hulking monster, as he comes across as threatening, but also tragic and relatable with necessary. Some even say he overshadows his creator himself, he's that memorable.
4. His appearance had became the iconic look for modern day Frankenstein cosplays and one of the most iconic Universal Monsters, next to Count Dracula, The Mummy and The Wolf Man.
	* Although it should be noted that he was made to be green so he'd be more visible in black-in-white.
5. This version may be a blundering, mindless brute, although that doesn't mean he's an absolute pushover or completely useless storywise. See his murders in an above pointer.
6. Like the original novel version, this version is immune to various forms of harm that would kill normal humans (such as bullets).
7. The scene in the film movie where he innocently plays with a little girl, and throws the girl into the river, mistakingly thinking she'd float along with the flower petals... is a *very* depressing moment, which could very well be considered the start of his turn to darkness.

Dr. Victor Frankenstein | The Monster/"Adam"
**Universal Monsters**
**Young Frankenstein**
**Dean Koontz's Frankenstein**
Victor Frankenstein
**Frankenweenie**
**Others**
Herman Munster