While new iterations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula seem to come around every fifteen minutes or so, fresh takes on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein seem to be fewer and farther between. Oh, sure, we’ve seen any number of Frankenstein adaptations over the years (Guillermo del Toro’s working on a new one even as we speak!), but something about Shelley’s original text seems to inspire much less riffing than Stoker’s iconic vampire novel … which is, perhaps, why we’re so delighted by this trailer for Zelda Williams’ Lisa Frankenstein.
Written by Diablo Cody (of Jennifer’s Body fame) and starring Freaky‘s Kathryn Newton and Riverdale MVP Cole Sprouse, Lisa Frankenstein is a retelling of Shelley’s classic novel (more or less), as told through a decidedly ’80s lens. What’s here looks like a lot of fun (it’s clear even from this trailer that everyone involved knew precisely what kind of movie they were making), and we’re genuinely intrigued to find out what happens when one maps Shelley’s tropes onto what looks a lot like a John Hughes movie.
Here’s an official plot synopsis, for your records:
“A coming of RAGE love story about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.”
In addition to Newton and Sprouse, Lisa Frankenstein‘s cast also includes the great Carla Gugino (most recently seen in Mike Flanagan’s excellent The Fall of the House of Usher), Liza Soberano (Alone/Together), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things) and Henry Eikenberry (The Crowded Room), and will arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 9th, 2024.
Stay tuned for more on Lisa Frankenstein as further updates become available.
