Frankenstein (1931) was directed by James Whale and wasn’t the first Frankenstein on film but the 2nd with the first being made in 1910 and produced by Edison Studios. The film takes place in Europe where Doctor Frankenstein tries to “play god” and create a life. He successfully gives life to the creature through lighting but ends up regretting the creature’s creation. All he saw was a monster and treated the creature like it was a monster, so it became a monster.
Through the lens of critical disability studies (CDS), we can analyze the creature’s mistreatment throughout Frankenstein (1931). Due to the creature’s differences from the norm in society at the time he was perceived as a monster. You can even say he was a victim because he wasn’t asked to be brought to life yet, from the moment he was born he was treated as a monster and as a result, he acted as one. He was even physically abused by the hunchback which I found somewhat confusing because in a way the hunchback could also be viewed as a monster due to his appearance. Ethier way, due to society’s fear of the unknown Frankenstein’s creation was unjustly treated because of his physical and mental appearance.
Additionally, we see the creature’s unjust treatment as Dr. Frankestein was appalled by its appearance and decided that it needed to be locked away. The creature just being born was angry and took the role of a monster due to its mistreatment. The Dr. was so frightened by the creature being released into society that he tried to end its life.
Honestly, I personally don’t enjoy watching horror films but, I can understand why it’s enjoyed by many. People equate horror or the unknown to be somewhat amusing which you can see at movie theaters when the crowd gets scared and then people laugh afterwards. Or when people do something that frightens them and they get some sort of rush or excitement while doing it, such as skydiving. Horror movies can give you some sort of thrill hence the genre “Thriller”.