This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 234! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends!
Okay, so I just saw “Lisa Frankenstein,” and wow! This isn’t your grandma’s Frankenstein story (although, let’s be real, grandmas are pretty cool and could probably handle some reanimated corpses).
Imagine “Heathers” meets “Edward Scissorhands,” but with a generous sprinkle of 80s nostalgia and a dash of “A Trip to the Moon” – a cinematic cocktail that’s as weird as it is wonderful. This flick is a whole lot of something—but whether that “something” is good or bad depends on your taste for the bizarre.
The whole vibe of “Lisa Frankenstein” throws you right back to the late 80s, with every frame dripping in nostalgia—from the Madonna-esque fashion to the big hair and even bigger cell phones. And let me tell you, the attention to that retro detail is like stepping into a time machine, except with way more cemetery scenes and reanimated corpses.
Our protagonist, Lisa, played by the ever-charming Kathryn Newton, is not your typical high school loner. After her mother’s tragic murder, Lisa finds herself often wandering to an abandoned cemetery (as one casually does), where she chats up a storm with a grave belonging to a handsome young dude from the mid-19th century.
Plot twist: a rogue lightning bolt strikes, and BAM! Our dashing corpse, played by Cole Sprouse, is up and about, missing a few body parts but ready to charm the socks off you. Now Lisa’s got herself a science project that would make Dr. Frankenstein proud.
This dude, who we never actually learn the name of (maybe he forgot it after being dead for so long?), is missing a few body parts. And wouldn’t you know it, Lisa has access to a tanning bed that can do a whole lot more than give you a bronze glow.
The film isn’t just a quirky tale of a girl and her zombie pal; it dives into some deeper, darker themes too. There’s a wild ride of emotions as it explores grief and mental health through a lens smeared with dark humor. There’s murder, mutilation, and even a creepy stepmother who could give Cinderella’s a run for her money (really, she’s just awful). But somehow, it’s all hilarious. Like, I found myself laughing out loud at things that probably shouldn’t be funny. Maybe I need to re-evaluate my sense of humor?
Kathryn Newton as Lisa is fantastic. She nails that awkward teen vibe while somehow making corpse-reanimation look cool. Oh, and did I mention Cole Sprouse? Yeah, Jughead himself is in this, and he’s surprisingly charming as a mute, undead dude. Who knew? Seriously, the guy doesn’t talk but still delivers one heck of an emotional punch.
Now, what’s interesting is that this movie is a wild mix of genres. It’s got horror, comedy, romance, even a dash of social commentary. And while some scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, others are just plain cringe. The tone shifts are jarring, and some of the jokes fall flat. But what the heck, IMHO that adds to the film’s charm.
But despite its flaws, “Lisa Frankenstein” is a film that’s both a tribute to and a parody of the 80s horror-comedy genre. It’s got guts, laughs, and a whole lot of heart. I had so much fun watching this.
So yeah, if you’re a fan of quirky, offbeat dark comedies and quirky romcom-horror hybrids — and you have a sick and twisted sense of humor — then this might be your jam. Just be prepared for a wild ride. It’s like a roller coaster—you’ll scream, you’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you might even throw up a little. Just remember — I warned you.
Peace out ✌️
Roger