Son of Frankenstein
A returning heir revives his family's monstrous legacy as murder and village terror engulf a stark Gothic estate.
Overview
A chilling return to a legacy of terror as the past awakens.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- grim
- theatrical
- classic horror marathon
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a richly mounted, strongly acted, technically accomplished classic of Universal horror with an unusually grand expressionist atmosphere.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Frankenstein manor, laboratory, village, and wooded landscapes create a grand, shadow-heavy visual world that drives the film's ominous atmosphere.
Wolf inherits his father's notes, estate, reputation, and unfinished relationship with the Monster, forcing him to confront the consequences of prior experiments.
The locals remain terrified of the Frankenstein family, while mysterious killings intensify suspicion surrounding the Monster's presence.
The film sustains a chillingly sombre mood while incorporating grim humor, flamboyant performances, and an intentionally heightened Gothic register.
Films like Son of Frankenstein, and why
Frankenstein
gothic horror, resurrected monster, expressionistic production design, and tragic melodrama
Bride of Frankenstein
classic monster horror, macabre atmosphere, black-and-white cinematography, and morally compromised science
Dracula
universal monsters tradition, eerie castle settings, grim humor, and theatrical horror performances
The Wolf Man
black-and-white gothic horror, village suspicion, mysterious killings, and heightened expressionist mood
Movie Details
- Director
- Rowland V. Lee
- Release Date
- 1939-01-13
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (284)
Cast
- Basil Rathbone
- Boris Karloff
- Bela Lugosi
- Lionel Atwill
- Josephine Hutchinson
- Donnie Dunagan
- Emma Dunn
- Edgar Norton
- Perry Ivins
- Lawrence Grant
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Son of Frankenstein about?
- A returning heir revives his family's monstrous legacy as murder and village terror engulf a stark Gothic estate.
- What is Son of Frankenstein like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Son of Frankenstein as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Son of Frankenstein violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Son of Frankenstein as moderate.
- What did critics think of Son of Frankenstein?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a richly mounted, strongly acted, technically accomplished classic of Universal horror with an unusually grand expressionist atmosphere.
- Which films are like Son of Frankenstein?
- Films with a similar feel include Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Wolf Man.
- How long is Son of Frankenstein?
- Son of Frankenstein runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Son of Frankenstein?
- In United States, Son of Frankenstein is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
