Cover Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ has been recognised for its scientific themes—an honour shared by several acclaimed films that bridge cinema and research (Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix)
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ has been recognised for its scientific themes—an honour shared by several acclaimed films that bridge cinema and research (Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix)
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Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ wins the Sloan Science in Cinema Prize, joining a lineage of science-driven films
The film Frankenstein marks yet another chapter in the long-standing fascination with the story of creation, obsession and the maker’s reach. In his latest undertaking, Guillermo del Toro revisits the myth of Victor Frankenstein, offering a new lens on the monstrous experiment that underpins it. The re-imagining of Frankenstein has now earned this adaptation the Sloan Science in Cinema Prize—a recognition of films that meaningfully engage with themes of science and technology. Here’s how Frankenstein joins the ranks of past winners and what that sharing of the stage reveals about the evolving relationship between science and cinema.
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What the Sloan prize represents
The Sloan Science in Cinema Prize is awarded annually by the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) in collaboration with the Alfred P Sloan Foundation for a narrative feature film that places science or technology at its core in a compelling manner. The prize carries a cash award (US$20,000 in the case of Frankenstein) and is accompanied by a screening and conversation between filmmakers and scientists. The intention is to encourage films that depict scientific themes not as background elements, but as driving forces of story and character.
Past winners of the Sloan Science in Cinema prize
Above ‘Hidden Figures’ (2017) was awarded for its accurate and human portrayal of scientists
‘Hidden Figures’ (2017)
Hidden Figures tells the story of three African-American women mathematicians whose calculations helped Nasa send astronauts into orbit during the Space Race. It was awarded for its accurate and human portrayal of scientists and real-world engineering challenges.
‘The Martian’ (2016)
The Martian follows an astronaut stranded on Mars who uses engineering, botany and physics to survive until rescue. It was recognised for its realistic depiction of applied science and the ingenuity behind survival in extreme conditions.
Above ‘First Man’ (2018) traces Neil Armstrong’s journey to the Moon
‘First Man’ (2018)
First Man traces Neil Armstrong’s journey to the Moon, offering a grounded look at the technical and emotional demands of the Apollo missions. The film was honoured for its authentic treatment of space exploration and the human side of scientific ambition.
‘The Aeronauts’ (2019)
The Aeronauts dramatises the 19th-century quest to understand the atmosphere through high-altitude balloon flight. It was cited for its vivid portrayal of early meteorological research and the risks inherent in scientific experimentation.
‘Ammonite’ (2020)
Ammonite centres on fossil hunter Mary Anning, exploring her work and isolation along England’s Jurassic Coast. It was celebrated for shedding light on a neglected scientific pioneer and capturing the meticulous practice of fieldwork in palaeontology.
‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
Don’t Look Up uses satire to follow two astronomers struggling to alert the world to an impending comet impact. The film was acknowledged for its exploration of how science intersects with politics, communication and collective denial.
Above ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) was recognised for its nuanced depiction of scientific responsibility
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Oppenheimer examines physicist J Robert Oppenheimer’s role in developing the atomic bomb and the moral dilemmas it created. It was recognised for its nuanced depiction of scientific responsibility and the consequences of discovery.
‘Twisters’ (2025)
Twisters returns to the subject of extreme weather through a contemporary lens on storm research and climate science. It was awarded for translating meteorological study into accessible, large-scale storytelling.
Where ‘Frankenstein’ fits in
Above Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein reimagines the classic tale through a modern scientific lens, earning recognition for its exploration of creation and consequence (Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix)
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein reimagines the classic tale through a modern scientific lens, earning recognition for its exploration of creation and consequence (Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix)
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SFFILM and the Sloan Foundation recognise the way Frankenstein uses the classic narrative of scientist and creation to engage contemporary scientific themes—genetic and tissue engineering, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence. It marks a continuation of the prize’s mission to bridge science and filmmaking. Notably, while many winners focus on real-world scientists or events, Frankenstein turns to genre to explore those scientific impulses in metaphor and myth.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
