Real Women of Gaming

Sometimes there are movies that just perfectly encapsulate something. It can be the feeling of terror. The feeling of being an “other.” It can be how seriously weird teenage girls are. How much the world hates that and how lonely it can be. 

Lisa Frankenstien somehow took all of those feelings and sewed them into a monster of a movie!

Lisa is just a teenage girl. She has her special interests, like taking etchings from the graveyard. She has a family. Even if her new mother is a poor substitute. At least her new step sister seems to want to help her fit in. Lisa is struggling, though. What is a weird girl to do when she just can’t seem to get it? One night Lisa’s life will take an unexpected turn that will change everything for her. 

Lisa Frankenstein is a movie that I am now obsessed with. I knew I was going to love it when I started to see news about it last year. Diablo Cody writing a Frankenstein retelling with Zelda Willaims as the director? Taking place in the 80’s? With a goth aesthetic? Sign me up! 

As a fan of the original source material, I am always excited to see how someone will take and remake Frankenstein. This take, however, is really special. I feel like this movie really “gets” the novel and found a way to make it fresh and fun. To make Victor, a loser, loner kid in med school mourning his mom, into Lisa, a loser, loner high school girl mourning her mom, was brilliant. This gave Cody and Williams an opportunity to showcase how both creator and “monster” are really just the “others.” Instead of Lisa and the Creature trying to destroy each other, they work to rebuild each other. It is truly beautiful. I mean, where else are us dark weirdos supposed to find ourselves, if not in creatures of horror? 

The costumes, hair and makeup are used to perfection in this film. Any movie that takes place in the past needs well done costumes. They help to transport the viewer into the time period and strengthen the story. The 1980s had such a strong aesthetic that it had to be present in Lisa Frankenstein. Everything down to the type of crimper Lisa uses in her hair was present. The costumes also help to let us know where both Lisa and the Creation are in different parts of the story. 

The goth style and scene were a huge part of 80s subculture, gaining traction and popularity despite the Satanic Panic. I was really happy to see it so heavily used in this movie.  The music also was a great addition. A truly solid soundtrack accompanying a really fun story.
I highly recommend Lisa Frankenstein. It was a fun horror movie with a twist. The music, costuming, hair, and makeup alone make the movie worth a watch, not to mention the stacked cast and crew. If you like creature features, this one’s for you.

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!