From the director’s vision to unraveling the film’s eccentricities, “Lisa Frankenstein” aspires to be the kind of movie that makes audiences let their freak flag fly
Director Zelda Williams shared she would love for audiences to feel “a bit more comfortable in their weirdness, a bit more seen” after watching her latest film “Lisa Frankenstein,” now showing in cinemas.
Inspired by the classic 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein and beloved ’80s favorites like Weird Science, “Lisa Frankenstein” was penned by Academy Award winner Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body). Cody found a perfect collaborator in Zelda Williams, a former actress-turned-filmmaker recognized for her voice-over contributions to Nickelodeon’s animated series The Legend of Korra and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Williams transitioned to writing and directing with her debut short film in 2018 with Shrimp.
In this darkly humorous tale now set in 1989, Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) grapples with teenage woes, despite the encouragement provided by her spirited stepsister, cheerleader Taffy (Liza Soberano – acclaimed locally and internationally, even earning praise for her Hollywood debut from American producer and director Joe Russo). In a bizarre twist of fate, Swallows breathes life into a long-dead companion (Cole Sprouse) with unwitting consequences and an undead romance.
After the initial screening of “Lisa Frankenstein,” director Zelda Williams and her team engaged the focus group with a question: What did they perceive was the primary message of the movie?
William shares,
“There was of course mention of flying body parts. But one of them, who seemed to be around 18, raised their hand and confidently answered, ‘that you can be a completely unhinged weirdo and still deserve to be loved!’ This movie won’t be for everyone, but if anyone leaves it feeling THAT way, then in my eyes, I’ve more than done my job!”
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The daughter of Robin Williams, Cody shares about the director’s set, “Zelda ran one of the most warm, welcoming, and efficient sets I’ve ever seen. She also grew up in the industry, so instead of seeing the usual first-film jitters, I saw a director calmly and smoothly operating inside her comfort zone.”
Kathryn Newton adds, “The world in the script is so heightened, but Zelda managed to inject so much heart and love into it. She’s really in the moment, thinking about every little detail.”
Filled with heart and a touch of the surreal, Williams didn’t just create an inviting atmosphere on set, garnering praise from both cast and crew, but continues to encourage audiences to feel liberated in their individuality. The director says,
“I would really love them to leave feeling maybe a bit more comfortable in their weirdness, a bit more seen in whatever way they thought made them too odd to be lovable.”
In a whimsical journey through love, loss, and the celebration of life’s oddities, “Lisa Frankenstein,” distributed by Universal Pictures International, is now showing in cinemas.