Lisa Frankenstein, 2024

✫ 8.5 /10

Favorite Character: Lisa Swallows

Almost 15 years after the release of Jennifer’s Body comes another addition to the same cinematic universe from writer Diablo Cody – Lisa Frankenstein. A campy and romantic horror comedy with brilliant performances all around, Lisa Frankenstein is destined to join Jennifer’s Body in the cult classic Hall of Fame. 

Set in 1989, Lisa Frankenstein follows Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton); a high schooler who spends her free time in the local abandoned cemetery talking to her favorite headstones while imagining a better life, one that’s six feet below. Lisa’s stepsister Taffy (Liza Soberano) is a preppy and oh so sweet cheerleader who tries her best to get Lisa to participate in family activities and school parties. After being dragged to a party and having a definitively bad time, life is looking pretty bleak for Lisa. Until one night, a fateful lightning strike hits her favorite gravestone and brings its owner, “The Creature” (Cole Sprouse) to life. 

Missing a few body parts from his abrupt awakening from the dead, The Creature enlists Lisa, who conveniently works as a seamstress, to help him collect missing body parts from others to sew onto himself. Lisa and The Creature juggle high school, an “evil” stepmother (Carla Gugino), and a few dismemberings throughout the film. Which makes Lisa Frankenstein a hilariously dark movie that’ll leave the audience giggling and gasping at every turn. The film’s merging of gothic themes with the colorful and campy 80’s aesthetic makes it a visually appealing treat. While Diablo Cody’s writing has a certain sharpness and wit that’s both memorable, quotable, and endlessly rewatchable.

One of the very few critiques I have after watching Lisa Frankenstein is that the horror was lacking. As a horror fan and huge Jennifer’s Body fan, I was expecting a darker atmosphere with more gore and jumpscares due to the comparisons between the films. I believe the aspect of the undead and the overall scare factor could have been done even better if the film was pushed further into an R rating, as the PG-13 rating unfortunately limits a lot in terms of gore and terror. However, I understand the PG-13 rating expands the film’s potential audience and I think new and veteran horror fans alike will absolutely love this film. Lisa Frankenstein delivers much more in the genre of a gothic romance in terms of theme, emotional depth, and aesthetic than the classic horror comedy. I feel that the advertising didn’t do it justice in that aspect, however the film certainly did.  

All the actors did an incredible job of bringing these characters to life while balancing the horror and comedic tone. Kathryn Newton has hilarious line delivery along with incredible development as Lisa, both in confidence and conviction as the film progresses. Liza Soberano’s role of Taffy is a delightfully surprising one with much more below the surface than it seems. I can definitely see her becoming a fan favorite for many different reasons. Lastly, Cole Sprouse’s incredibly endearing, adorable even (and mostly silent) performance as The Creature will have viewers swooning and yearning for their own Frankenstein.  

Even with the rotting corpses, many worms, and bloody dismemberments, Lisa Frankenstein remains one of the most refreshing and truly romantic films I’ve seen. It’s  easily a loveable addition to the “Jennifer’s Body universe” and does a great job of reminding everyone that love lives on even after “death do us part.”