David Bianculli

Also, what del Toro describes as the uneasy truce between science and religion, machine and man, and the realization that you are inescapably alone.

His other movies include Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, which won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, Nightmare Alley, a reimagining of Pinocchio filmed in stop-motion animation, and two Hellboy films.

A significant event in del Toro's life was the kidnapping of his father in Mexico.

After del Toro helped raise a million-dollar ransom, his father was released.

In Del Toro's Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the surgeon who wants to create new life, a new man built out of body parts from the newly dead.

The creature he makes is played by Jacob Elordi, who's best known for co-starring in Euphoria, and who also played Elvis Presley in the movie Priscilla.

His newest role is as Heathcliff, opposite Margot Robbie as Kathy, in the new movie version of Wuthering Heights.

Del Toro grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico, and has been living in L.A.

since the late 90s.

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro speaking with Terry Gross last October.

He wrote and directed the film Frankenstein, which has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Original Score, Production Design, Sound, and Adapted Screenplay.

More after a break.

I'm David Bianculli, and this is Fresh Air.

Let's get back to Terry's interview with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.

He wrote and directed the film Frankenstein, a new interpretation of the story inspired by Mary Shelley's 1818 novel.

The film has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costumes, Best Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.

Here's a clip from the film, in which Dr. Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, is addressing academics about his quest to create new life in a new man built out of body parts from the newly dead.

Del Toro fell in love at the age of seven with James Whale's 1931 film Frankenstein, which starred Boris Karloff as the creature.

Guillermo del Toro, speaking with Terry Gross last October.

His film Frankenstein has been nominated for nine Academy Awards.