“Lisa Frankenstein” Review

“Lisa Frankenstein” is an American comedic horror film from 2024 that was written by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams. It takes place in 1989 and centers on Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), a solitary gothic adolescent managing the murder of her mother and a tense relationship with her stepfamily. Following an electrocution accident, Lisa inadvertently brings Cole Sprouse, a Victorian-era corpse, -back to life from a graveyard, sparking an unusual love story.

When Focus Features released the movie on February 9, 2024, reviews from critics were not entirely positive. It opened with $3.8 million and made $1.7 million on its first day of business, therefore its box office result was mediocre. It made $2.1 million in its second weekend of sales.

The focal point of the story is Lisa’s hardships, which include her stepsister Taffy (Liza Soberano), her father’s second marriage to Janet (Carla Gugino), and her romantic interest in Michael (Henry Eikenberry). The corpse, known as “the Creature,” is unintentionally brought back to life by Lisa, which sets off a horrific and humorous chain of events that includes the attachment of body parts to enhance the Creature’s look and murders.

Reviewers’ thoughts on the movie were divided. Some thought it was generic and uncoordinated, while others like its throwback to ’80s horror comedies. The humor and visual appeal, along with Kathryn Newton’s performance, were widely praised. But criticism mostly focused on the movie’s speed and narrative coherence; some said it had trouble staying true to its own identity despite attempts to combine genres.

Some reviewers emphasized the movie’s appeal to fans of teen romances and ’80s nostalgia despite the film receiving negative reviews. Variety called it derivative and without much laughs or scares, while The Guardian praised its charm but questioned its pacing and writing. Chicago Sun-Times Richard Roeper praised Newton’s performance but faulted the film for straying from one genre and not having a clear narrative emphasis.

Overall, with a distinctive idea and exceptional acting, “Lisa Frankenstein” presents a strange fusion of horror, humor, and young romance. Even if it might not be as good as the originals, all of us will enjoy the witty staging of the horror themes of the 1980s and the general feel of the time when going to the movies to watch a horror film was something profoundly comfortable. It is even willing to overlook those drawbacks with the wisdom to look past this film’s flaws and highlight that the cast and staff are proficient in the art of making movies.

Cast of the “Lisa Frankenstein”

1. Kathryn Newton as Lisa
2. Liza Soberano as Taffy
3. Jenna Davis as Lori
4. Trina LaFargue as Tricia
5. Paola Andino as Misty
6. Joshua Montes as Vince
7. Chris Greening as Jock
8. Mae Anglim as Drunk Girl
9. Joey Harris as Tamara (credited as Joey Bree Harris)
10. Henry Eikenberry as Michael Trent
11. Jennifer Pierce Mathus as Lisa’s Mom
12. Luke Sexton as Axe Murderer
13. Ayla Miller as White Girl (credited as Ayla Diane Miller)
14. Jailyn Rae as Psychic Jenny
15. Bryce Romero as Doug
16. Cole Sprouse as The Creature
17. Carla Gugino as Janet
18. Joe Chrest as Dale
19. Ashton Leigh as Reporter #1
20. Charlie Talbert as Wayne
21. Ray Gaspard as Mr. Garces
22. Geraldine Singer as Mrs. Garces
23. Shane Partlow as History Teacher
24. Jesse Reeks as The Creature Hand Double
25. Destinie Jones as Sosnouski
26. Johnny Ballance as Tepper
27. Donna Duplantier as Buckley
28. Sylvia Grace Crim as Officer Waters
29. Walker Babington as Officer John
30. Ritchie Montgomery as Old Man Harvey
31. Sarah S. Fisher as Lady Cop
32. Summer Selby as Neighbor Woman
33. Marcello Maurio as Boy on Bike (credited as Marcello Daniel Maurio)
34. Brad Miller as EMT
35. Julia Belanova as Goth Teen
36. Wendy Miklovic as Strange Figure
37. April Dupré as Reporter #2