Gothic

The core events unfold during the summer of 1816, a period of Romantic experimentation and stormy weather that intensifies the group's anxieties. The era is early 19th century, marked by interest in science and the supernatural, which fuels their discourse and creations. The film also briefly shows a modern visitation, underscoring the villa's lasting legacy.

Villa Diodati sits beside Lake Geneva in Switzerland and became the gathering place for Lord Byron, Mary Godwin (Mary Shelley), Percy Shelley, and others during the summer of 1816. The moody, atmospheric villa provides the backdrop for stormy conversations, a séance around a skull, and the eruption of fears that shape their literary futures. In the film's contemporary frame, tourists visit the villa, linking its legendary past to present-day intrigue.

🕯️ Gothic Horror

A night of séances, shadows, and transformation blurs the line between reality and nightmare. The group confronts terrifying visions and uncanny phenomena that push them toward extreme acts and a sense that their fear is feeding something unseen. The atmosphere—grim, claustrophobic, and ritualistic—embodies the era's fascination with the uncanny.

🎨 Creativity and Fear

Dialogue about science, sleep, and nightmares fuels creative impulse within a tight-knit circle. The fear and tension surrounding personal relationships become fuel for their later literary productions, including Frankenstein and The Vampyre. The night acts as a catalyst where imagination and dread coalesce into enduring works.

⚖️ Power and Consent

The interactions among Byron, Claire, Mary, and Shelley reveal complex power dynamics, including Byron's influence over Claire and the pregnancy and abortion discussions. The group's conflict—physical confrontations, accusations, and private desires—drives the emotional and moral tensions of the night. These tensions steer how each character responds to fear and desire, shaping their eventual fates.