“Lisa Frankenstein,” penned by Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody, is all set to breathe new life into cinemas this February. This unique blend of teen horror-comedy and coming-of-age romance, starring Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, and Liza Soberano, offers a fresh and sardonic twist on Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic, tells the story of Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), an awkward 17-year-old trying to adjust to a new school and a new life after her mother’s death and her father’s hasty remarriage. Despite the unwavering support offered by her plucky cheerleader step-sister Taffy (Liza Soberano), Lisa only finds solace in the abandoned cemetery near her house, where she tends to the grave of a young man who died in 1837 – and whose corpse she unwittingly reanimates (Cole Sprouse). Feeling obligated to help the poor soul regain his humanity, Lisa embarks on a quest to breathe new life into her long-dead new companion. All she needs to succeed are some freshly harvested body parts and Taffy’s broken tanning bed.
“I have always toyed with themes of transformation and reinvention,” says screenwriter Diablo Cody, who catapulted onto the Hollywood stage with 2007’s “Juno,” for which she won the Academy Award, BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award for best original screenplay.
Diablo Cody’s Visionary Storytelling
Cody’s unique take on the Frankenstein narrative is infused with her signature wit and insight. “In everything I write, someone is going through a dramatic change, whether it’s becoming possessed by a demon or dealing with a new stage of life,” continues Cody, who is also known for penning the acclaimed film “Young Adult,” starring Charlize Theron, and the Megan Fox-led cult-classic “Jennifer’s Body.” “The question I’m always asking is: are we the same person after a profound change? How many parts can we swap or replace before we’re a totally new entity? This movie is a pretty literal interpretation of that!” Cody muses, exploring themes of identity and transformation in her darkly comedic style.
A Nod to the Classics
Inspiration for “Lisa Frankenstein” partly stems from John Hughes’ “Weird Science,” with Cody aiming to create a female-centered narrative within a similar framework. The 1980s setting adds an extra layer of nostalgic charm to the film. “The idea of using a tanning bed as the power source [to bring the dead back to life] was hilarious to me,” Cody says. Inspired by another off-beat spin on Frankenstein mythology, the 1985 John Hughes film “Weird Science,” Cody set her own take on the story in the 1980s. “In that film, two teenage boys literally design their dream woman, animate her with electricity and watch in awe as she improves their lives,” she says. “I always thought it would be fun to see a female-centered take on that story.”
Playing the all-important role of Lisa Swallows is Kathryn Newton (“Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”), who shares that one of the biggest influences for her portrayal was Gene Wilder’s performance in “Young Frankenstein” (1974). “Gene Wilder was an incredible actor who was able to master that in-between of playing a character that’s so over-the-top, but still grounded and pulling the audience in,” Newton says.
For Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”), playing the creature reanimated by Lisa was the role of a lifetime, even though it meant having to act beneath layers of prosthetic makeup that had to be applied for hours each day and portraying the character primarily through moans, grunts and gestures. “His inability to speak was what really excited me, just technically, and I knew it would be a heavy physical role,” Sprouse says. “For me, it was an attempt to reach some more universal physical language about how we perceive emotions through gesture, through movement, which was fun.”
Beyond the Stereotypical
Liza Soberano joins the cast as Taffy, Lisa’s step-sister, bringing depth and complexity to what could have been a standard “mean popular girl” role. Cody ensures that each character, including Taffy, is multifaceted and dynamic, moving beyond clichés. “Taffy is my favorite character,” shares Cody. “She’s a beacon of positivity, and even when she’s unwittingly condescending or tone deaf, her intentions are always kind. She’s more protective of Lisa than anyone else in the film, other than the Creature. Lisa resents Taffy because she’s effortlessly beautiful and popular, but Lisa eventually comes to realize that her ire is misdirected. I felt that having Taffy be a standard ‘mean popular girl’ would be uninteresting. Most of the queen bees I’ve known were more complex than that.”
“I had an instant connection with her,” says Filipina actress Liza Soberano (“My Ex and Whys,” “Alone/Together,” “Trese”) of Taffy, her first Hollywood film role. “She’s such a fun character to play.”
A Unique Blend of Horror, Comedy, and Romance
Directed by Zelda Williams and distributed by Universal Pictures International, “Lisa Frankenstein” is set to be the quirkiest undead horror romance of the year. Mark your calendars for February 7 and prepare for a Valentine’s Day filled with laughter, gore, and unexpected twists in this unique cinematic experience.
“Lisa Frankenstein” promises to be a delightful departure from the typical Valentine’s Day fare, offering audiences a blend of horror, comedy, and romance. With its talented cast and creative storytelling, this film is poised to be a standout addition to the 2024 cinematic landscape. #LisaFrankensteinPH
