Written by the critically acclaimed Diablo Cody, right from the start it is clear this film was meant to stand out when he called this a “coming of RAGE love story”. The introduction of the movie really shows off how much time was put into visuals. The title card and opening soundtrack really sells the 80’s theme of the movie.
At the start I expected less, given that this type of romance between the living and the dead has been done before several times in movies and entertainment. Lead actors Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton however took on their roles with great body language and delivery. The movie made an 81% audience score in rotten tomatoes, so it has to be good.
This Focus Feature film was unique for its kind, Being one of the company’s first films to blend horror and romance. But Lisa Frankenstein would not be a Focus feature without one key element: comedy. The movie didn’t really pressure the audience to take the romance between Lisa and her Frankenstein too seriously. Yet at the same time the movie gives its audience genuine heartfelt moments that blend well with the comedy, which made this film an absolute recipe for enjoyment.
This is one of the first films I’ve seen balance conflicting genres well, Lisa Frankenstein had flipped tropes on their head. Actress Carla Guino did a unique take on the wicked-stepmother trope, this time rooted in toxicity and victim blaming which in turn strengthened the main character’s resolve. The comedy, romance, and creepy vibes never skip a beat. The climax and resolution of the story was very strong and felt almost nostalgic when compared to other retro to early 2000’s horror. Overall, a great movie if you want to laugh, cry, and puke with all the missing body parts that you’ll find along the way.