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Frankenstein film review by UK film critic Jack Salvadori. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth directed by Guillermo del Toro. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Frankenstein Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Jack Salvadori | Posted on: Aug 30, 2025 Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Written by: Guillermo del Toro Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is the cinematic equivalent of watching a child let loose in a toy shop: you can’t deny the glee, but you can question whether he actually needed all the toys. This is clearly his passion project, his gothic playground, his shrine to Mary Shelley. And while it’s undeniable that he adores the aesthetics (he probably stuffed his living room with most the props), perhaps one shouldn’t play so lovingly with one’s heroes. Sometimes devotion smothers invention. The film is slavishly faithful to the book, at least at first, quoting Shelley verbatim like a student too nervous to paraphrase. But in its eagerness to cram the entire novel into two and a half dense hours, the film never gets the chance to breathe. The protagonists, played by Oscar Isaac as the mad scientist and Jacob Elordi as his revitalised creature, speak in solemn Victorian maxims that clang on screen like museum plaques. And that leads to a vast, creaking cliché, strangely devoid of original touch. We have the classic, as well as countless remakes… did we really need yet another version that has nothing to add? Worse still, del Toro snips out one of the novel’s most vital beats: the creature’s murder of a child. Not for pacing, not for brevity, but seemingly out of reluctance to stain his beloved monster. While the trick worked with arguably all his previous works, the dedication to sympathise with the monster is, quite frankly, redundant in Frankenstein. Without that act of brutality, the creature loses his contradictions, his tragic duality. He becomes a simplistic hollow statue of sorrow, robbed of the layers Shelley carved into him. So what we’re left with is just stuffed flesh: a lifeless, decomposed work, dead at birth. A Frankenstein film so interested in the aesthetics of thunderstorms and steampunk mechanics that, ironically, forgets to spark itself alive. About the Film Critic Jack Salvadori Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Short film reviews from some of the best movies in the UK. Read reviews from some of the best short film critics. Short Film Reviews Welcome to the UK Film Review page for short film reviews . Here you will find some of the best and brightest sparks in a sea of cinema. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their short films to us to be reviewed, and our Contributors lovingly dissect them. If you would like one of our team to write a film review of your short film, please use the form on our Submit Your Film page Our short film reviews are written by passionate film critics across the UK and aim to highlight and promote terrific filmmaking when we find it. We are always honest with our reviews, so if you are looking to submit your short film for review, please do so knowing that we will not alter what we have said because you don't like it. There is a wealth of amazing talent in the short film industry, and we hope by writing film reviews about this underexposed creativity we can get your movies to a new audience...but we need your help. Please join in the chatter on our social media channels so that we can grow our community and share the joy. Use the buttons in the footer to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Subscribe to us on YouTube #supportindiefilm. The selection of short film reviews you see below are mostly for films submitted to us. In this instance, the filmmaker has requested us to watch and provide a short film review. Alternatively, visit our Latest Short Film Reviews page . Get Your Short Film Reviewed More Film Reviews TV Man (Te(L)o Comando) Patrick Foley The Valley of Hearts Delight William Curzon Sign Your Name Jason Knight In Absence James Learoyd As A Joke Jason Knight Antithesis Patrick Foley A Wanderer's World Jason Knight Witchez are Bitchez Nina Romain The Dog Matt Trapp Man on the Hill Patrick Foley Lost And California William Hemingway The Reveal James Learoyd Shazmine: The Life of a Popstar Jason Knight The Sweater William Curzon Ellipsis in Writing Patrick Foley Is This The Bed We Lie In? Holly Baker Solers United William Curzon The Craftsman Jason Knight Milk, Rice, and the Blood Nina Romain Hatred Holly Baker The Solitude of the Tennis Ball Chris Buick Feldsher William Hemingway Trip Report by a Psychonaut William Curzon Last One Standing, Castleward Jason Knight Shelter William Hemingway Load More Reviews What is a short film review? A short film review is often written by a movie critic and it's their opinion on a film that is less than sixty minutes long. Short film reviews still explore every aspect of a movie. How do I write a short film review? Writing a short film review needs to cover multiple aspects of the movie. Including the script, the characters, performances, cinematography, score & sound design, editing and so on. Sometimes we consider the piece only as a short film; whether it works in that format, other times we may think of it as a "proof of concept" for something longer, or perhaps a piece of a web series/TV show. These can be important to consider when writing a short film review. How long should a film review be? A film review should be as long as the house style. Some publications provide lengthier reviews than others. A general minimum word count would be 500. This may be also for SEO reasons, as short film reviews that are longer may be more likely to rank higher on Google. The important thing to remember is that the review should be well-structured, not full of bloated points to fill up the word count. How much money do film critics make? Film critic salaries depend massively on their publication. Many film critics are freelancers, meaning they get paid per review and sometimes this is based on word count. Making money through film reviews can be challenging. Video Short Film Reviews Below you will find a selection of short film reviews in video form! This is where one of the UK Film Review Critics records their review and we upload it to our YouTube channel (as well as TikTok and Meta Reels in some cases). A Place to Fall Down Short Film Review by Chris Olson A short film about coping with loss and grief, film critic Chris Olson gave A Place to Fall Down 4 stars. Watch his video short film review here to here from the man himself about his thoughts and feelings. OK/NOTOK Short Film Review by Patrick Foley In this short film review from Patrick Foley, he gives us his opinion of the brilliant movie OK/NOTOK. Set in a futuristic world where AI robots are available as companions (as long as you can afford the subscription), it's a riveting piece. Betrayed Short Film Review by Chris Buick Film critic Chris Buick offers up a fantastic video short film review for Betrayed. A movie about a girl with special powers who, with the help of her protective father, must elude those who would use her for nefarious means.

Read music video reviews by film critics at UK Film Review. Submit your music video for review by clicking Get Reviewed at the top of the website. Music Video Reviews One of the most exciting sub-genres our critics review is music videos. They are often incredible pieces of storytelling, either in their own right or aligned with the song playing over them. On this page you will find a great selection of music video reviews from the team of critics at UK Film Review. If you are a filmmaker or artist who would like us to review your music video, submit your film here . When it comes to reviewing a music video, the process differs slightly from perhaps a narrative short film or documentary. The music has to be explored far more intimately than if it were a soundtrack because that's where the story originates from rather than being added further down the line. Music videos do conform to genres but these are often musical genres rather than film categories, for example pop, folk, rock, rap etc. So this will also influence the music video review our critics write because the target audience is going to be considered. Music videos may take a variety of forms or even combine different aspects to create a different effect on the viewer. For example, it is common for a music video to contain a small narrative, as well as live performance footage. Top filmmakers making music videos will be able to immerse you into the song and story without leaving you feeling like you have just watched a promo piece. Choreography is also a common trait in music videos, with dance sequences and flash mobs recurring - often in pop music videos. Editors of music videos will have their work cut out to ensure the choreography looks tight and engaging without it feeling staged or lifeless. Hopefully the array of music video reviews you see below will include some gems for you to peruse. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the article, as we often include the actual music video so you can watch it for yourself. Psiblingz - Till We're Found William Curzon Mammoth: Adventures In Gnomeman's Land William Hemingway Flesh Wanting Blood William Hemingway Lovin' You James Learoyd To Be Frank Chris Olson The Wanderer Matt Trapp The Sanctity of Faith Patrick Foley 2024 Patrick Foley The Road Back Patrick Foley Bitter Cherry – Hunger Short Film Review alexjames96 Jun 3 2 min read Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review alexjames96 Jun 6, 2024 2 min read Cinerama (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Mar 17, 2024 2 min read Homecoming (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Dec 19, 2023 2 min read Sheep F-cked In the Head Short Film Review alexjames96 Nov 16, 2023 2 min read Service for The King short film review Theo Aug 1, 2022 2 min read More Film Reviews

Directed by: Asif Kapadia Written by: N/A Starring: Kenny Dalglish, Marina Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen Documentary Film Review by: Chris Olson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kop a load of this, Kapadia has pulled off something special here. A football doc that transcends the beautiful game and captures a true legend. Powerful, moving, and truly respectful to the best bits of football in the UK, which often get tarnished unfairly. From his upbringing as a wee lad in Scotland, through his time playing for Celtic, then Liverpool, onto his Player/Manager role at the latter, this Kenny Dalglish documentary paints a heartfelt picture of an honourable and very talented footballing icon. Directed by Asif Kapadia (whose other documentaries include Amy, Senna, Diego Maradona and more), the piece eschews talking heads being awkwardly filmed in a studio for a more authentic approach. Narrated by Kenny himself, we also hear from Manrina (his wife), other footballing heroes like Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen, and the film is presented with copious amounts of archive footage from amazing matches over the span of Kenny Dalglish’s career, mostly in the 1980s. We are also privy to exclusive home footage of Kenny’s family, giving us a true insight into his life as a family man, which we learn is a massive part of his character. A documentary about one of the best footballers ever is going to get a massive UK audience. Whether (like this film critic) you knew the name from your childhood, or you are a youngster playing FIFA in 2025, this is a fascinating journey that so many young boys and girls across the nation have dreamt of taking. There is a quality to this man’s sporting skill that is jaw-dropping when you see him create goals out of nowhere, whether directly curling the ball like magic around defenders or setting up his partner-in-crime, Ian Rush. The film also provides an emotional depth that many will not expect from a sporting documentary. Kapadia bravely explores Kenny’s experiences with fan hooliganism, rioting, and the heartbreaking events at Hillsborough. The tragedy of the latter becomes the documentary’s most powerful section, engulfing the viewer in the immense sorrow felt by the communities affected. It’s Dalglish’s profound response, however, that will cement his place as a true great not just in Liverpool (where he is still revered as an idol) but across our country. Whether you get to see the Kenny Dalglish documentary on its very limited cinema run or on Amazon Prime Video, it’s vital viewing for any football fan, whether you are a Liverpool fan or not.

Directed by: Jacob Stockton Written by: Jacob Stockton Starring: Michael Tait, Alexander Clark Short Film Review by: Jason Knight ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A short World War II drama written and directed by Jacob Stockton and starring Michael Tait and Alexander Clark. The story takes place on the 12th of June, 1944, six days into the Normandy Invasion and British soldier, Jim (Tait), is briefly captured by German fighter, Oscar (Clark), before Jim turns the tables and holds him at gunpoint, forcing him on a journey across the battle-torn, French area. This is a journey involving two men from opposite sides of the global conflict, and the screenplay focuses primarily on the relationship that develops between them, beginning as untrustworthy and hostile, before turning into a strong bond of understanding. Their journey takes them to a variety of places in the countryside, including a church and an abandoned outpost. As they travel, they also encounter the atrocities of the Nazis. Filming took place around Northumberland and the countryside of Teesside, and North-East re-enactment groups volunteered to help, providing props, vehicles and costumes. Although the budget was £800, the production value creates an environment and an atmosphere that feels like Second World War battle grounds. The mise-en-scène is pretty impressive, with convincing clothing, vehicles and weaponry, and the sight of dead bodies is haunting. The addition of James Tearne's music further supports the dreadful and despairing situations. Jim and Oscar are the centre of the film, and the script does a decent job in exploring them and acknowledging that they have similarities between them. They both yearn for the conflict to end, so that they can return to their partner and they both understand that even though a war is taking place, they are not each other's enemy, and they are both capable of understanding and forgiveness. Utilising a WW2 setting, this story goes on a journey about self-reflection, friendship, redemption and having a loving partner. The effects of war are present, its brutality being depicted quite dramatically. A war film about two fighters who start off as enemies and end up becoming friends. A main message appears to be that even in the darkest times, good can be born, such as a powerful friendship bond.

Film Festival Feature by Chris Olson It’s official: Trieste Science+Fiction Festival  is celebrating its 25th birthday, and what a spectacular party it sounds like! For over two decades, this festival in Italy has been a beacon for all things fantastic and imaginative, proving year after year that science fiction is far more than just spaceships and laser guns. The best sci-fi holds a mirror up to our own world, and the line-up for October 28 to November 2 promises to be one hell of a compelling reflection. Festival Director Alan Jones  is absolutely right on the money when he says this milestone edition will "innovate, challenge, thrill, amaze and, of course, ultimately entertain." With over 50 film premieres  packed into the programme, this isn’t just a festival; it’s a full-blown cinematic odyssey exploring "the wonders of the possible." The UK's Ben Wheatley Heads the Bill What’s caught my eye immediately is the strong British flavour in the main programming. The festival’s coup in landing the new film from the mighty Ben Wheatley  is massive. His previous work— Kill List , High Rise , Sightseers —is always wickedly inventive, so hearing about his sci-fi horror Bulk  is incredibly exciting. A high-octane flick "filled with car chases, gunfights, and romance"? Yes, please. Wheatley’s style of chaotic energy and black humour is perfect for a genre that can often take itself too seriously. Mark your calendars for Halloween night, October 31st , for that UK premiere. A Galaxy of Cinematic Wonders The opening night on October 28th  is looking phenomenal. Kicking things off is the Italian premiere of L’Homme qui rétrécit  ( The Shrinking Man ) by Jan Kounen, starring the brilliant Jean Dujardin. Richard Matheson’s classic novel is a genre touchstone, and seeing a modern, French-Belgian adaptation with a star like Dujardin fighting for survival after a "mysterious contamination" is a huge draw. I’m expecting a mix of tense psychological horror and top-drawer visual effects. Later that same night, things get wonderfully weird with the body-horror re-imagining of Cinderella , The Ugly Stepsister . It’s this kind of bold, genre-bending choice that shows Trieste’s commitment to truly fantastic  film—pushing the boundaries of what sci-fi and horror can do. Other highlights that have piqued my interest include: Egghead Republic  (Oct 30th): A dystopian tale imagining a world where the Cold War never ended? Sounds like the perfect kind of bleak, yet timely, alternate history drama. Orion  (Nov 1st): From Jaco Bouwer, the director of Gaia  (a great little eco-horror, that was), this intense thriller about an amnesiac astronaut promises a deep-dive into paranoia and hidden truths. Chien 51  (Nov 2nd): A closing-night dystopian drama set in a divided Paris investigating the murder of an AI pioneer. Modern authoritarianism and the dangers of AI—talk about hitting that nerve of contemporary relevance that good sci-fi demands! Beyond the Screen: A World of Ideas The festival isn’t just about the darkness and thrills, either. It’s an intellectual feast. The guests alone are enough to justify the trip. Having Ted Chiang , the genius author behind the short story that inspired Arrival , as a key guest is an absolute masterstroke. His insights on artificial intelligence and the future of humanity are essential listening right now. Plus, the president of the Asteroide Award jury is none other than Italian director Gabriele Mainetti  ( Freaks Out ), a hugely acclaimed genre filmmaker in his own right. All the talk of video games, comics, and literature taking place under the spectacular Sci-Fi Dome  in Piazza della Borsa shows the breadth of the genre’s reach. It’s all about a shared conversation, a celebration of the creative minds who make us think about tomorrow. Ultimately, the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival proves that genre cinema is vital. It’s a place for established masters and emerging voices to show us, through incredible futures, how to see the stark present more clearly. It sounds like an unmissable few days in Italy, offering a true galaxy of experiences. Bravo, Trieste.