Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Frankenstein Theory’

Written by Scott Edwards 

Trying to figure out who you are based on what your family has done in the past could be one of the most eye-opening experiences for anyone. All of the good things your ancestors are charged with could make you more of a legend, but the bad things could weigh you down for yet another lifetime. Although you cannot control what your family has done in the past, some people will never let you live it down until you can correct it in their eyes.

Jonathan Venkenhein is determined to find out if the stories of his family's past is true. He believes that all of the stories he has heard about the classical monster Frankenstein are grounded in facts and he is determined to prove it to the world. With his research showing that Mary Shelley’s novel was based on a series of letters, Jonathan located these in his family’s archive and now he will start his hunt with a documentary film crew. 

With his research pointing him up to Canada, Jonathan brings all of his notes, along with sketches of the supposed beast on his search. Interviewing a man that says he encountered a giant on the ice years ago, the man sees one of these pictures and freaks out when he finds that he was being chased by Frankenstein. Not understanding what was truly wrong with this man, Jonathan hires a guide and the group starts their trek up north. Battling extreme cold, the group fights to stay warm and away from the local wildlife.

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Holding up in a local trapper’s shelter, the group sets up the basecamp in the perfect place according to Jonathan’s research. Seeing unsolved murders in the area, everything follows a hunting pattern as the weather gets colder and it appears to be happening in areas that indicate the killings are for self-preservation. The group does not believe what Jonathan is saying, but since he is paying them, they will stick around until their funds run out. Hearing a strange howling in the night, the group wakes up to find that their snowmobiles are trashed. Being a man of the country, their guide goes out to exact revenge on whoever did it but is found dead by the camera crew. Not being able to escape the frozen wilderness, the group is forced to come together and believe in something that they thought only existed inside of imagination.

The Frankenstein Theory follows the ongoing search of Jonathan Venkenhein as he tries to prove that the Frankenstein monster is real. Having his life taken away from him, losing his girlfriend and his job at the university, this is all that Jonathan has left and he is desperate to prove that he and his family are not crazy. With the help of the guide, the group makes it up to the place where strange disappearances have taken place over the years and find that the arctic cold and wildlife are not the only thing they need to worry about. With the loss of their guide and the belief growing that there is a creature hunting them, they are forced to follow their walking checkbook who believes the monster is looking for companionship.

A documentary style horror flick that keeps you wondering if and when you will ever see the fierce creature. Overall, I am not a huge fan of these types of films as they have been outplayed but find myself watching them all of the time. Keeping the monster hidden until the end of the movie is one of the best things that was done. Keeping the scares in the background and not revealing the true horror until the last possible second is one of the classic rules that is broken all of the time. With everyone falling victim to the creature during the day and night, trying to show it love might be the only method of survival in one person’s eyes, while others just want to run. With the never-ending battle between good and evil apparent in this film, you might find yourself pulling for the people making the film, or you just might find yourself pulling for the beast. Your choice. Stay Scared.

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