Gods and Monsters

Play trailer

Gods and Monsters

R

1998

1h 45m

Biography

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Once a powerful Hollywood director best known for Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, James Whale (Ian McKellen) is long since retired and in increasingly poor health. His stalwart housekeeper, Hanna (Lynn Redgrave), quietly disapproves of Whale's faceless, nameless parade of young gay lovers, but when the director takes an interest in new gardener Clayton Boone, a former Marine and Korean War veteran, it seems to be for something more than his usual casual conquest.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Gods and Monsters is a spellbinding, confusing piece of semi-fiction, featuring fine performances; McKellen leads the way, but Redgrave and Fraser don't lag far behind.

Read Critics Reviews

Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Oct 12, 2020

Few films have made it seem so natural to be haunted.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Harvey

Variety

Dec 1, 2008

An engrossing, unusual, imaginatively executed bit of psychological gamesmanship ...

Go to Full Review

Nick Bradshaw

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Not a complicated film, but warm and clever.

Go to Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jan 7, 2023

4/4

“Gods and Monsters” is easily one of the best films of the year. It is a real treat for any movie lover and will easily span the test of time like the films of the man it portrayed.

Go to Full Review

Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

Jan 4, 2023

3.5/4

The film is a revelation for writer-director Bill Condon, whose last movie, the horror schlock Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, showed no indication of the intelligence and tenderness at work here.

Go to Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

Oct 3, 2022

it still feels remarkably current today.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Ed B

@EdLee Oct 25, 2026

Gods and Monsters, great biopic about james whales , director of Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein. Flashbacks of original films are well placed. Great acting. Good one to see if fan of original Frankenstein film.

See more

Drew M

@Stonehands211 Oct 11, 2026

Ian McKellan’s crowning achievement imho.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 3, 2026

Loved this movie Starring Brandon Frazier!

See more

David F

@dfulmer Dec 30, 2025

A very nice film about the maker of the original Frankenstein film.

See more

Penelope Y

@RT31899006 Sep 7, 2025

A wonderful film featuring incredibly talented leads- Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. The story follows James Whale, the director famed for his Frankenstein films, now past his prime, and a handsome young gardener hired to work in his home. They gradually form an unusual friendship, openly discussing their lives and the taboo subject of homosexuality in 1935. I especially loved the interactions between the two leads as they carefully toy with and question each other’s sexuality. McKellen’s charming yet sly performance is endearing and thoughtful, making it easy to empathise with his character and also hate his character at the same time. Throughout the film, James struggles with his health, dying fame, loneliness and drifts between tormented war memories and reality. I really enjoyed this movie- it’s touching, deep, and beautifully acted. Highly recommended!

See more

Michael V

@RT01374702 Mar 27, 2025

A portrait of an outrageous friendship. Gods and Monsters is a 1998 period drama film written and directed by Bill Condon, based on Christopher Bram's 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein 👺 An interesting, though sometime uneven biopic … It’s good 🙂 Worth a watch. I’d recommend it if you like this genre 👍🏼 S It's 1957, and James Whale's heyday as the director of "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Invisible Man" is long behind him. Retired and a semi-recluse, he lives his days accompanied only by images from his past. When his dour housekeeper, Hannah, hires a handsome young gardener, the flamboyant director and simple yard man develop an unlikely friendship, which will change them forever.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Bill Condon

Director

Ian McKellen

James Whale

Brendan Fraser

Clayton Boone

Lynn Redgrave

Hanna

Lolita Davidovich

Betty

Kevin J. O'Connor

Harry

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - I Want You to Kill Me

3:42

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Turn Towards the Uncomfortable

2:25

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Vice and Indulgence

2:43

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Aberrant Childhood

2:36

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Memories of the War

2:08

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Barnett on the Wire

1:38

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Love Dead, Hate Living

1:13

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - David at the Party

2:03

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - An Architectural Skull

1:25

Now Playing

Gods and Monsters: Official Clip - Men Who Bugger Each Other

2:35

Now Playing

View more videos

Wilde

74%

72%

Wilde

Watchlist

Prick Up Your Ears

92%

79%

Prick Up Your Ears

Watchlist

Nijinsky

50%

31%

Nijinsky

Watchlist

Boys Don't Cry

90%

87%

Boys Don't Cry

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Boys Don't Cry

Surviving Picasso

31%

60%

Surviving Picasso

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Once a powerful Hollywood director best known for Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, James Whale (Ian McKellen) is long since retired and in increasingly poor health. His stalwart housekeeper, Hanna (Lynn Redgrave), quietly disapproves of Whale's faceless, nameless parade of young gay lovers, but when the director takes an interest in new gardener Clayton Boone, a former Marine and Korean War veteran, it seems to be for something more than his usual casual conquest.

Director: Bill Condon
Producer: Mark R. Harris, Paul Colichman, Gregg Fienberg
Screenwriter: Christopher Bram, Bill Condon
Distributor: Universal Studios Inc.
Production Co: Regent Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.4M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings