Cert – 15, Run-time – 1 hour 41 minutes, Director – Zelda Williams
Lisa (Kathryn Newton) finds herself at a distance with everyone around her, however the person who might help her in romance happens to be a reanimated corpse (Cole Sprouse)
Lisa Frankenstein feels like the brainchild of someone who grew up on The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pretty In Pink and Weekend At Bernie’s – writer Diablo Cody says her protagonist’s name was inspired by Weird Science. It slots right into the mould of 80’s horror comedies with the teen movie twist to give it a further spark of life. The tone of bubblegum horror echoes the colours which surround central character Lisa (Kathryn Newton) and the more muted colours of her own, more gothic, world. Director Zelda Williams matches the style of a number of classic 80s movies and uses it to propel Lisa’s journey, and the film’s comedy, forward.
Since losing her mother (Jennifer Pierce Mathus) to an axe murderer two years earlier her dad (Joe Chrest) has remarried, to Carla Gugino’s Janet who believes that her step-daughter is crazy, with the only person who seems to extend a kind hand being step-sister Taffy (Liza Soberano). Dark poetry and social awkwardness mean that Lisa sticks out, at least people don’t know she hangs around the ‘haunted’ abandoned cemetery, yet still feels treated like a normal teenager. While keeping those around her at a distance she has a crush, school literary magazine editor Michael (Henry Eikenberry) that she’s trying to get closer to after an interaction at a party, which goes downhill after she’s inadvertently drugged.
When she needs it most a confidence boost arrives after a lightning storm. A strike lands on the grave she claims to like best in her cemetery hangout, bringing the corpse to life (in the form of Cole Sprouse). After an initial scare Lisa soon forms a bond with the grunting figure, having not-quite-one-way conversations with him as she tries to push herself with Michael. Yet, ‘The Creature’ needs help too, and thus a deadly string of events pan out which sees Newton’s entertainingly performed protagonist sewing missing body parts on her new undead friend, bringing them to life with the brilliantly named Kiss Of Life tanning bed in her garage.
Unlike Diablo Cody’s previously-penned horror-comedy, the divisive cult flick Jennifer’s Body, there’s no real hint of parody here. Instead, Lisa Frankenstein feels like a nostalgia-tinted homage to films of the 80s, as mentioned feeling right at home amongst them. There’s a familiarity on screen without things ever feeling rehashed or overdone, adding to the likable nature. Lisa is a character who could so easily be pulled two ways and feel inconsistent, yet Newton effectively handles her, capturing the gothic humour there is to be had in this character who is finally finding her confidence with the help of a dead Victorian-era man. This isn’t a film aiming for bite or full gothic qualities, the latter is certainly a present detail but when part of such a colourful world doesn’t dominate as a defining element.
The eventual mix is one that provides plenty of laughs throughout the 101 minute run-time. While things might feel about ten minutes too long there are plenty of sharply delivered lines making reference to the 1989 setting and the strange situations which are unfolding – The Creature becomes increasingly jealous after Lisa constantly friendzones him. There’s plenty of successful wit to be found throughout, at times delivered with a faint knowing grin to add to the entertainment factor and occasional fun there is to be had with this piece. As Lisa’s costumes become grander and bolder so does her personality. She strides forward with increasingly confidence and in turn her actions outside of school become more twisted, and it’s great fun to see it all unfold in such stylish fashion.
Bubblegum horror with a faint grin, Lisa Frankenstein feels at home with 80s teen movies and horror comedies without feeling dated or overfamiliar. Kathryn Newton helps bring through much of the sharp humour which helps to bring out the entertainment factor of this fun and stylish 80s-infused flick.
Just A Little Bit Random 