Test your knowledge of I, Frankenstein with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of I, Frankenstein (2014). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In the year 1795, Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Aden Young) creates a monster (Aaron Eckhart), a being assembled from deceased bodies but devoid of a soul. Upon realizing the horrors of his creation, Victor rejects it and attempts to destroy it. Enraged, the creature retaliates by killing Victor’s beloved wife, Elizabeth (Virginie Le Brun). This sets Victor on a relentless pursuit to confront the monster in the Arctic, but he ultimately succumbs to the brutal elements.

After burying his creator, the creature finds himself under siege by demons. Fortunately, he is saved by gargoyles Ophir (Mahesh Jadu) and Keziah (Caitlin Stasey), who bring him before their queen, Lenore (Miranda Otto), and the commander Gideon (Jai Courtney). Lenore reveals that they were formed by the Archangel Michael to wage war against demons on Earth and safeguard humanity. Although they offer the creature the name “Adam” and an invitation to join their ranks, he chooses to decline, taking instead weapons that can destroy demons and trap their souls in Hell.

As centuries pass, Adam continues to fend off relentless demonic threats. In a modern-day altercation at a nightclub, a tragic incident leads to the death of an innocent police officer. The gargoyles summon Adam once again to account for his actions. Meanwhile, the demon Helek (Steve Mouzakis) informs his master, the demon-prince Naberius (Bill Nighy), who is masquerading as billionaire Charles Wessex, of Adam’s continued existence. Wessex enlists scientist Terra Wade (Yvonne Strahovski) to brainstorm ways to reanimate corpses.

Terra’s work is making strides in reviving rats; however, she needs Frankenstein’s research to break into human revival. Naberius, eager to accelerate their experiments, dispatches a legion of demons, led by Zuriel (Socratis Otto), to capture Adam and acquire the knowledge to give life once more. Before Lenore can punish Adam for the officer’s death, their cathedral is invaded by demons. In the chaos, Adam persuades Ophir to free him.

The subsequent battle is devastating, with many gargoyles, including both Ophir and Keziah, being “ascended” (essentially trapped in Heaven), leaving Lenore at the mercy of the demons. Adam and Gideon race to rescue her, leading to Gideon’s exchange of Lenore for Victor’s journal, which holds the key to the reanimation secrets. Following Zuriel to the Wessex Institute, Adam discovers that Naberius intends to replicate Frankenstein’s experiment, aiming to create an army of reanimated corpses that can house the souls of the fallen demons.

After a successful retrieval of the journal, Adam escapes but soon confronts Terra, revealing Naberius’s dark plans before they are attacked by Zuriel, whom Adam manages to defeat. Forewarning the gargoyles of Naberius’s intentions, Lenore sends Gideon to eliminate him and reclaim the journal. A fierce confrontation ensues, forcing Adam to “ascend” Gideon, then resolve to burn the journal, eliminating its secrets before the gargoyles can pursue him.

Eluding them, Adam leads the gargoyles to the Wessex Institute, culminating in a fierce clash with Naberius’s forces, where he successfully takes down Dekar (Kevin Grevioux). Amid the ensuing chaos, Adam ventures into the Institute to save Terra, who has fallen into Naberius’s clutches. After Naberius showcases his true monstrous form and activates a reanimation machine, he attempts to seize Adam’s body. However, Adam withstands this attack, having nurtured his own soul.

As the gargoyles try to subdue the reanimated demons, Adam etches the symbol of the Gargoyle Order onto Naberius, sanctifying his essence and unleashing his complete destruction, sending him and all the demons in his cohort to descend. The cataclysm collapses the entire building. Commending Adam’s valor, Lenore saves him and Terra, forgiving him for Gideon’s fate. With his weapons reclaimed, Adam parts ways with Terra and embarks on a quest to protect humanity while hunting demons for the sake of others, thereby embracing his destiny and his true identity as “Frankenstein.”

Timeline

Track the key events of I, Frankenstein (2014) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Creation of the Monster

In 1795, Dr. Victor Frankenstein assembles a monster from deceased bodies, resulting in a being that is physically alive but lacks a soul. Victor's ambition drives him to harness the power of life, but he soon realizes the horror of his creation.

1795

Rejection of the Creature

Upon seeing the monstrous form of his creation, Victor becomes horrified and rejects the creature. This abandonment ignites a chain of tragic events as the creature, filled with rage and despair, seeks vengeance for his perceived betrayal.

Death of Elizabeth

In a furious retaliation against Victor's rejection, the creature kills Victor's beloved wife, Elizabeth. This cataclysmic event deepens Victor's despair and sets him on a relentless quest to confront the monster.

Victor's Pursuit in the Arctic

Victor sets out on a perilous journey to the Arctic to confront the creature he created. However, the brutal elements of the icy wasteland prove to be too much for Victor, and he ultimately succumbs to the harsh conditions.

Arctic

Rescue by Gargoyles

After Victor's death, the creature is besieged by demons but is saved by gargoyles Ophir and Keziah. They bring him before their queen, Lenore, who reveals their purpose of waging war against demons to protect humanity.

Choosing a New Path

The gargoyles offer the creature the name 'Adam' and an invitation to join their ranks. However, Adam refuses their offer, opting instead for weapons that can combat demons, which he takes with him on his journey.

Demonic Threats in Modern Day

Centuries pass, and Adam constantly defends himself against relentless demons. A tragic incident in a nightclub leads to the death of an innocent police officer, prompting the gargoyles to summon Adam for accountability.

Nightclub

Naberius's Dark Plans

The demon Helek informs the demon-prince Naberius, disguised as billionaire Charles Wessex, of Adam's existence. Naberius seeks to reanimate corpses using Victor's research, driving a conflict between demons and gargoyles.

Capture of Adam

Under Naberius's orders, a legion of demons led by Zuriel is sent to capture Adam. As this unfolds, the gargoyles confront Adam about the nightclub incident, leading to chaos and a major battle between the forces of good and evil.

Cathedral

Sacrifice for Knowledge

During a fierce confrontation, Lenore decides to exchange herself for Victor's journal, which contains the secrets to reanimation. The chaos intensifies when Adam persuades Ophir to free him from captivity to rescue Lenore.

Confrontation at Wessex Institute

Adam follows Zuriel to the Wessex Institute, where Naberius intends to replicate Frankenstein's experiment. The stakes rise as Adam realizes the demon's goal is to create an army of reanimated corpses.

Wessex Institute

Defeating Zuriel

After recovering Victor's journal, Adam confronts Terra, warns her of Naberius's plans, and fights against Zuriel. Adam's determination and skill allow him to emerge victorious against the demon leader.

Final Battle with Naberius

In a desperate encounter, Naberius attempts to possess Adam using a reanimation machine. However, Adam's strong will and nurtured soul allow him to withstand the attack and fight back against the darkness.

Wessex Institute

Destruction of the Demonic Forces

Adam inscribes the symbol of the Gargoyle Order onto Naberius, which destroys him and his legion of demons. The entire building collapses as the conflict reaches its peak, symbolizing the end of Naberius’s reign.

Embracing Destiny

With the demons defeated and the journal destroyed, Lenore saves Adam and Terra, forgiving Adam for his past actions. Adam accepts his identity as 'Frankenstein' and embarks on a new quest to protect humanity from evil.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring I, Frankenstein (2014) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Dr. Victor Frankenstein

Victor is the ambitious scientist whose quest for knowledge leads him to create the monster. His initial pride turns to horror after realizing the monster's potential for destruction, driving him to a tragic fate. His character embodies the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ethical dilemmas of scientific exploration.

🔬 Scientist ⚡ Ambitious

Adam

Created by Victor Frankenstein, Adam is a complex character wrestling with his identity as both a monster and a being seeking purpose. His evolution from vengeance to protector of humanity highlights themes of redemption and self-discovery. Despite his fearsome exterior, he possesses a profound depth of feeling and determination.

🧟‍♂️ Creature ⚔️ Protector

Lenore

Queen Lenore leads the gargoyles in their mission against demons, serving as a guiding force for Adam. Her strength and compassion towards him signify hope and redemption amidst despair. She represents a bridge between the world of monsters and humanity, urging Adam to embrace his purpose.

👸 Queen 🛡️ Protector

Naberius / Charles Wessex

Naberius, disguised as the wealthy Charles Wessex, is a cunning demon-prince who seeks to exploit Frankenstein's research for his own dark purposes. His character is the embodiment of manipulation and ambition, using knowledge for nefarious goals in his relentless pursuit of power.

👿 Demon 💼 Manipulative

Setting

Uncover the settings of I, Frankenstein (2014), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

1795, modern day

The movie begins in 1795, during a time when scientific exploration was burgeoning, and the boundaries of life and death were being tested. The narrative transitions into modern times, highlighting advancements in science, particularly in the realm of reanimation and cloning, amidst a dark backdrop of demonic threats.

Location

Arctic, Wessex Institute

The Arctic is a remote and inhospitable region known for its severe cold and vast ice fields. In this film, it serves as the backdrop for Victor Frankenstein's final confrontation with his creation. The Wessex Institute, a modern scientific facility, is a hub for reanimating corpses, reflecting the film's themes of life and death.

🏔️ Arctic 🏛️ Institute

Themes

Explore the core themes of I, Frankenstein (2014). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚔️

Battle for Humanity

A central theme of the movie is the immense struggle between good and evil, represented by Adam, the creature, and the demons he battles. As Adam seeks to protect humanity, he embodies fighting against the forces that threaten to disrupt the balance of life. This theme is underscored through his continuous confrontation with the reanimated corpses and demons.

🧟‍♂️

Creation and Consequences

The film explores the moral and ethical implications of creation, as Dr. Frankenstein's desire to play god leads to disastrous consequences. Adam's existence brings into question the responsibilities of a creator, and his journey reflects on themes of identity and acceptance within a world that largely fears him.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.