Lisa Frankenstein Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A goth girl builds her boyfriend from graveyard parts, and they bond over accessorizing with the deceased.

🍿 Lisa Frankenstein: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Goth Teen in 1989

In 1989, Lisa Swallows, a teenager grappling with her mother’s murder, finds herself in a new town with her father and overbearing stepmother, Janet. Lisa, an outcast, prefers the solace of the local cemetery to the superficiality of high school. Her only connection is her stepsister, Taffy, a popular cheerleader who tries to include Lisa in her social life.

Reanimation and Romance

During a storm, a lightning strike resurrects a corpse from the cemetery, a Victorian-era man. Lisa discovers the Creature and, drawn to his otherness, hides him in her closet. As the Creature is missing body parts, Lisa begins a gruesome quest to restore him, leading to a series of darkly comedic and violent events.

A Deadly Transformation

As Lisa and the Creature bond, their actions escalate, drawing the attention of the authorities. Lisa’s stepmother, suspicious of Lisa, becomes a target. Lisa finds herself torn between her desire for connection and the increasingly dangerous reality of her relationship with the Creature. Their love story unfolds amidst murder and mayhem, testing the boundaries of their twisted romance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lisa (Kathryn Newton): A morbid and lonely teenager who reanimates a corpse and embarks on a murderous quest for body parts to complete him.
• The Creature (Cole Sprouse): A reanimated corpse from the Victorian era who forms a silent yet deadly bond with Lisa.
• Taffy (Liza Soberano): Lisa’s cheerful stepsister who tries to connect with her, and is ultimately caught up in the chaos.
• Janet (Carla Gugino): Lisa’s narcissistic stepmother who is resentful and is the first victim in Lisa and the Creature’s murderous rampage.
• Doug (Bryce Romero): A classmate who attempts to take advantage of Lisa, leading to his unfortunate encounter with The Creature.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lisa: “They say time heals all wounds. But that’s a lie, time is the wound. Takes you further and further away from that place when you were happy. Makes those good smells go away.” – Lisa reflects on the pain of loss and how time only exacerbates her feelings of grief and longing for the past.
• Lisa: “I want to be with him.” – Lisa expresses her longing to be with the reanimated corpse from the cemetery.
• Janet: “You’re either crazy or inconsiderate.” – Lisa’s stepmother, Janet, dismisses Lisa’s feelings and experiences, reflecting the strained relationship and Janet’s callous nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,774,285
• Worldwide Gross: $9,927,714

💥 Lisa Frankenstein Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a campy horror-comedy, and that’s pretty much what I got! Kathryn Newton is fantastic as Lisa, and Cole Sprouse is surprisingly expressive as the Creature, even without any lines. I loved the over-the-top 80s aesthetic – it felt like a John Hughes movie directed by Tim Burton! It gets a little weird, especially towards the end (that tanning bed scene!), but overall, it’s a fun, quirky movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I think it might become a cult classic!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies like Heathers and Beetlejuice”
  • “Viewers who appreciate 80s nostalgia and gothic aesthetics”
  • “Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse fans”
  • “Those who enjoy unconventional love stories with a macabre twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore and violence”
  • “Suggestive sexual content”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Implied sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “A wild, weird, and wicked romp through teenage angst and reanimated romance. Zelda Williams’ directorial debut oozes with 80s charm, though the film struggles to balance its horror and comedy elements, ultimately sacrificing depth for style. Kathryn Newton shines as the morbid Lisa, while Cole Sprouse conveys surprising emotion without uttering a single word.
• Collider: “Lisa Frankenstein is a darkly comedic love letter to cult classics like ‘Heathers’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands.’ Diablo Cody’s witty script and Zelda Williams’ stylish direction create a visually arresting film, but the story occasionally stumbles, failing to fully explore its themes. Despite its flaws, the film’s undeniable charm and strong performances make it a worthwhile watch.
• RogerEbert.com: “Zelda Williams’ ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ presents a unique blend of horror and comedy, but its uneven tone and reliance on shock value hinder its overall impact. While Kathryn Newton delivers a compelling performance as the morbid Lisa, the film struggles to find a consistent rhythm, resulting in a disjointed and ultimately unsatisfying experience.

Audience Reactions

Kathryn Newton’s performance as Lisa is a standout, bringing a perfect blend of awkwardness and dark humor.: Viewers praised the film’s unique blend of 80s nostalgia, dark humor, and horror elements.

Cole Sprouse’s non-verbal acting as the Creature is surprisingly emotive and captivating.: The film’s visuals and aesthetic style were widely appreciated, with many comparing it to the works of Tim Burton and John Hughes.

Overall Consensus: A divisive but undeniably stylish horror-comedy that blends 80s nostalgia with a macabre twist.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lisa Frankenstein marks the feature directorial debut of Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams.”
• “The film is written by Diablo Cody, known for her work on ‘Juno’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’, bringing her signature dark humor and quirky style to the story.”
• “The movie’s visual style draws inspiration from Tim Burton’s gothic aesthetics and the vibrant colors of the 1980s.”
• “Cole Sprouse’s performance as the Creature is primarily non-verbal, relying on physical acting and expressions to convey emotion.”
• “The soundtrack features popular 80s songs, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere and comedic timing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lisa Frankenstein?

Lisa Frankenstein is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential theatrical runs. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lisa Frankenstein, you might like these similar films:

• Edward Scissorhands (1990): Both films explore themes of gothic romance, social alienation, and finding love in unconventional circumstances, with a whimsical yet dark visual style.
• Jennifer’s Body (2009): Written by Diablo Cody, it shares a similar darkly comedic tone and explores themes of female rage and unconventional relationships.
• Warm Bodies (2013): A romantic comedy with a supernatural twist, involving a human falling in love with a zombie, similar to the central relationship in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’.
• Heathers (1988): A dark teen comedy that uses satire to explore social hierarchies and morality, resonating with the subversive elements of ‘Lisa Frankenstein’.

🛒 Lisa Frankenstein Related Products

• Funko Pop! Lisa Frankenstein – Lisa: Add Lisa to your Funko Pop! collection today and display this symbol of 80’s themed horror-comedy. These stylized collectibles are great for home or office!
• Rubie’s Costume Co Women’s Lisa Frankenstein Costume: Step into the character of Lisa in this authentic movie costume! Great for Halloween.
• Lisa Frankenstein (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy the haunting melodies and retro beats of the film’s soundtrack! This music will take you back to 1989.
• Zombie Makeup Kit – Professional Grade Halloween FX: Transform yourself into a lifelike zombie with this kit. This is just what you need to bring your Zombie to life!

🎧 Soundtrack

Lisa Frankenstein features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Promise” – performed by When in Rome

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lisa Frankenstein is an INSANE movie

Alex Meyers breaks down ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ and honestly? He kinda nails why it’s so bizarrely appealing. If you’re wondering what the heck you just watched, this review will give you some answers… or maybe just more questions, haha!

Cole Sprouse & Liza Soberano Interview – Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Ever wonder what the actors *really* thought about making ‘Lisa Frankenstein’? Cole Sprouse and Liza Soberano spill the tea in this interview – their takes on the characters are actually pretty interesting, give it a look.

The Cult Classics That Inspired Lisa Frankenstein

Okay, so ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ is definitely… unique. But did you know it’s packed with nods to some classic cult movies? This video breaks down the inspirations, and honestly, it makes the whole thing make a *lot* more sense.

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