Maggie Gyllenhaal’s highly anticipated sophomore directorial feature, “The Bride,” offers a dark and thrilling reimagining of the Frankenstein mythos. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression-era Chicago, the film follows Frank (Christian Bale), who enlists Dr. Euphronius (Annette Bening) to create an undead companion. The trailer, viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJraZRHhFwQ, showcases Jessie Buckley as the titular Bride, a character navigating loyalty and self-discovery amidst a scheme far exceeding expectations. The synopsis promises murder, possession, a radical cultural movement, and a combustible romance.
The film boasts a visually striking aesthetic, using Halloween-esque colors and a dark synth soundtrack to create a unique atmosphere. It promises an edgy twist on Mary Shelley’s classic novel and James Whale’s iconic 1935 film, James Whale’s “Bride of Frankenstein,” as hinted by the tagline, “Here comes the mother f— bride.” Gyllenhaal, who also wrote and co-produced the film, shared the trailer on Instagram, expressing both excitement and apprehension.
This marks Gyllenhaal’s second directorial effort, following her critically acclaimed 2021 debut, “The Lost Daughter,” which garnered numerous accolades, including a Gotham Award for Best Feature and a Breakthrough Director award. It also earned her a second Academy Award nomination. “The Bride” arrives in theaters in March, joining a recent wave of Frankenstein adaptations, including Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming film, Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” and others like Zelda Williams’ “Lisa Frankenstein” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” which earned Emma Stone an Oscar. The film’s unique take on this classic tale promises to be a captivating cinematic experience.
