Distributor Focus Features is responsible for bringing Lisa Frankenstein to the big screen. This Zelda Williams'-helmer has already hit theaters nationwide with Diablo Cody, who is known for her dark comedies, writing the screenplay. Below, you'll find my honest review of the film so you can make your own decision about whether to see this on the big screen or wait until it hits streaming. Read on to find out more!
In the film, Kathryn Newton portrays an awkward and death-obsessed high school senior named Lisa Swallows, who is still coping with the death of her own mother who was killed by an axe-wielding maniac in a random home invasion. These events are brought to light at a party by Lisa's stepsister, Taffy, played by Filipino movie star, Liza Soberano.
Both girls live at home with Lisa's mild-mannered dad and Taffy's mom, a narcissistic nurse who shows no empathy to Lisa's personality and behavior. They are in attendance at this party, where the guest list ranges from Lisa's crush, the dreamy yet intellectual Michael Trent to Doug, a horny teenager who tries to make moves on Lisa after she chugs a roofied drink.
Lisa is a frequent visitor to a cemetery where she honors the life of an unknown Victorian-era man's (played by Cole Sprouse) grave by placing her mother's rosary beads on his tombstone. After a lightning strike brings the man to life, he becomes this unidentifiable dirt-laden creature who enters into the Swallows residence. Lisa becomes friends with The Creature and brings him even more to life by making him over and showing him what life is like in the current time period while seeking revenge on those who have wronged her. Oh, and it's a rom-com!
80s references galore!
I will say that it stays true to the sexual mis-happenings that occur in typical coming-of-age 80s genre; Think Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Though, It was a bit off-putting that many of the sexual references are made by barely-18 year olds and it's not confirmed what age The Creature is. Aside from that, there's enough '80s music in the film to add to your playlist to hold you over until next year's attempt at a reviving the beloved era of music through the medium of film.
Body mutilation plays a significant role in this film. As Lisa becomes more confident, she uses The Creature as a way to inflict fear and revenge on those who have wronged her such as her God-awful stepmother, played by Carla Gugino, who is fatally knocked on the head and buried in the cemetery or the unforgettable castration scene of Lisa's then-former crush Michael Trent that will leave you cringing and cackling at the same time.
The chemistry between the two leads, Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, is there but not enough for me to want to re-watch anytime soon. There is only so much that can happen within these films to keep it within the PG-13 rating so that young people can go and enjoy it, but there is something missing that takes away from the film's energy. Don't get me wrong, it was a fun watch, but if you're numb to body-horror comedy, this one will be lackluster.
Is Lisa Frankestein worth watching?
If you can look past the movie's flaws and some rushed and skipped over points in the plot, when it comes to casting, the film gets its right. Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) kills it as Lisa, while Cole Sprouse (Riverdale) is noticeably quieter in this film. Literally. His character doesn't speak for the entirety of the film. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is up to the viewer. The supporting cast that includes Liza Soberano, a highly-regarded Filipino movie star, showcasing her ability to be both a potential scream queen and a newcomer standout in what is considered her Hollywood debut.
Lisa Frankenstein isn't going to be the most talked about film in 2024 but for the Diablo Cody fans, this is a 2020s homage to Cody's 2000s hit Jennifer's Body and while this is not Williams' directorial debut, personally, this is definitely the film that will bring her talent to the fore front.
I can see this movie becoming a cult classic over time, ala Jennifer's Body of course, but I feel like there were many missed opportunities to tell this story in a better way that may have risked it getting a harsher 'R' rating but could have shown the characters evolve instead of squeezing everything into an under two-hour runtime.
Lisa Frankenstein is in theaters now.