“Frankenstein” a horror film directed by James Whale in 1931, is an iconic classic that has had a large influence on the genre of Horror overall. Within the film itself, it provides a deep look into the consequences of unethical scientific practices, as well as how society may treat others differently based on their differences. In the movie, the scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein is deeply interested in producing life by reattaching the body parts of people who have died. When his assistant, Fritz, is sent to bring back the brain to complete the creation, he returns with a stolen brain considered “abnormal.” However, Dr. Frankenstein is unaware and proceeds to bring the creature to life on a stormy night. 

When Frankenstein’s creation is brought to life, he realizes he has done something he should have put more thought into. The creature was very large, unnatural, inhumane, and a mistake. However, the physical appearance of Frankenstein’s project made society reject it, and push it away as an outcast. When it saw its own creator be so afraid of him he was hopeless and confused. He was clueless as to how he was brought and didn’t do any harm until it was chained up down below many levels. It became angry as its owner had shut him away, trying to hide him. In response to the creature’s aggression and confusion, Frankenstein and his men physically hurt him out of fear. This is how the monster was truly made, it only knew violence. This rejection connects to how those in our own society who are physically and mentally different, face challenges as society makes them feel abnormal. 

The monster eventually escaped out and into the world, where it continued not to be accepted. It projected a lot of hate out of spite and committed very violent acts such as drowning a child. Additionally, the monster mistakenly terrorizes people because of its appearance and how it holds itself. It did not mean to create commotion and spread fear, however, society was not used to something so different and thought it meant harm when it was just trying to live. It was unable to live peacefully as it was constantly judged and given a destiny rather than creating its own. These events in the film show how disabled individuals are classified separately and face a lot of discrimination. Society created a stigmatism where they can’t be seen as equal and are consistently judged. 

Overall, the movie Frankenstein, emphasizes how the experiences people with disabilities go through within society can impact how their emotions and actions. There should be more of a focus on how to create a safe environment that is inclusive of everyone and makes everyone feel respected and truly equal. Individuals with disabilities are constantly perceived differently, but instead, should be accepted.

The Horror Genre has gained a lot of popularity for nearly a century because of how relatable the films within the genre might be. Our culture of horror movies has derived from ideas stemming from real life. The ideas developed behind these films originated from problems within the society we live in and are the twisted truth with a few more twists to them. They make us think deeper into context and make us want to reevaluate ourselves as well. What’s scary about these movies is the feelings that are emphasized within us and that are brought out of us.