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The unexpected triumph of the film Juno in 2007 introduced a fresh face to Hollywood – a bold and outspoken former stripper-turned-screenwriter who challenged conventional industry norms and defied categorization. Diablo Cody, who penned the successful screenplay before the age of 30, received an Oscar for her work. In an industry where recognizable names are hard to come by, she quickly gained fame and all eyes eagerly awaited her next project.
Cody’s subsequent film, the eerie supernatural horror Jennifer’s Body, quickly turned the initial cheers into jeers. The movie, which had originally received an Oscar, suddenly became the target of criticism from the Razzies (known for their questionable voting practices) and failed to attract audiences. The response to the film was a mix of confusion and disgust, but over time it has gained a cult following as a popular choice for Midnight Movie showings. In addition, numerous thinkpieces have emerged praising the movie’s clever feminism and the underrated performance by Megan Fox. Jennifer’s Body has now achieved a level of recognition that has even influenced Cody’s latest project, Lisa Frankenstein, which is being marketed as the newest creation from the writer of Jennifer’s Body. This unexpected turn of events serves as a positive indication of how streaming services have allowed for previously overlooked films to gain success in recent years.
Although it may seem like a positive outcome, Cody’s long overdue victory is not a guaranteed success for viewers or fans of the movie, as it may end up being just another forgettable cult favorite.
Reworded:
Cody takes a classic monster movie and puts a new spin on it, similar to her previous film Jennifer’s Body. This time, the story is set in the late 80s, which aligns with Cody’s love for nostalgia. The main character, Lisa, is a teenage girl struggling to fit in at her new high school. She has a dark past, with her mother being murdered by a masked killer. Despite her stepsister’s attempts to include her in social events, Lisa would rather spend time at the cemetery. After accidentally ingesting a hallucinogen and facing an attempted rape, Lisa’s favorite grave is disturbed and a reanimated corpse, played by Riverdale’s Cole Sprouse, becomes her hidden secret.
It’s a light PG-13 introduction to the more intense R-rated horror of Jennifer’s Body. This film, set in the 80s, draws comparisons to the comedy-horror movies of that time, such as Heathers and those by Tim Burton. Director Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, also includes nods to lesser-known films like My Boyfriend’s Back, My Demon Lover, Teen Witch, and Weird Science. While there is a strong commitment to the references and setting, the film falls short of its ambitious goals due to some pacing issues and a haphazard script. Lisa’s decision to help her zombie friend with his quest for body parts doesn’t quite make sense given his grotesque and unresponsive nature. Additionally, her search for acceptance elsewhere seems too easy. Lisa’s character is not fully developed beyond her outward appearance, and lead actress Newton lacks the confidence seen in her previous comedy-horror role in 2020’s Freaky. However, supporting actresses Soberano and Gugino steal the show with their spot-on performances as Lisa’s stepmother and evil villain, respectively. Both are more in tune with the tropes of the 80s era portrayed in the film.
The movie seems to be stuck between two genres, a comedy about tweens having a sleepover and a horror film with intense body horror. This results in some scenes feeling awkwardly censored, as if an uncut DVD version with excessive gore is on the way. Additionally, the sharp dialogue written by Cody is toned down due to her hesitation to fully unleash it (her highly underrated 2011 comedy, Young Adult, remains one of the best and meanest films ever made). Instead of becoming a beloved rewatch for teenage fans of the goth-lite Wednesday character, it ends up being more suitable for their parents to reminisce about. To its credit, Lisa Frankenstein embraces its influences with black lace sleeves, but doesn’t quite offer enough originality. There is only so much nostalgia we can handle without something pushing the boundaries. While bringing a subgenre back to life, Cody and Williams could have injected more energy into it.
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The movie “Lisa Frankenstein” will be released in US theaters on February 9th and in the UK on March 1st. An Australian release date has not been announced yet.
Source: theguardian.com
