Lisa Frankenstein, directed by Zelda Williams, is colourful, well-executed amalgamation of horror and comedy that is certain to garner a cult following in the years to come, though occasionally it feels like a missed opportunity.
The eye-catching direction is undoubtedly my favourite aspect of the film. Williams' vision looks and feels distinctly unique, with colourful frames that burst onto the screen, beautiful costume designs and gorgeous cinematography. But beyond crafting a visually appealing film, Williams has the ability to depict eccentric characters that unapologetically and facetiously commit bizarre and unsettling actions.
Kathryn Newton delivers a strong performance as Lisa, skillfully portraying a mentally complex character while providing humour in a way that seems plausible and tangible. Liza Soberano and Cole Sprouse give commendable performances too.
Where the film falters for me, is when it attempts to cram an absurdly large number of subplots and themes into its brief runtime, to the point that, by the time the credits roll, I wasn't quite sure what the central theme or story of the movie was. Also, the film plays it a little safe with the disturbing and gory scenes, likely due to its PG-13 rating. It could've been more effective had they fully embraced the absurdity.
Overall, Lisa Frankenstein is a wild good-time and an effective throwback to 80s horror comedies, but certainly has room for improvement.
The eye-catching direction is undoubtedly my favourite aspect of the film. Williams' vision looks and feels distinctly unique, with colourful frames that burst onto the screen, beautiful costume designs and gorgeous cinematography. But beyond crafting a visually appealing film, Williams has the ability to depict eccentric characters that unapologetically and facetiously commit bizarre and unsettling actions.
Kathryn Newton delivers a strong performance as Lisa, skillfully portraying a mentally complex character while providing humour in a way that seems plausible and tangible. Liza Soberano and Cole Sprouse give commendable performances too.
Where the film falters for me, is when it attempts to cram an absurdly large number of subplots and themes into its brief runtime, to the point that, by the time the credits roll, I wasn't quite sure what the central theme or story of the movie was. Also, the film plays it a little safe with the disturbing and gory scenes, likely due to its PG-13 rating. It could've been more effective had they fully embraced the absurdity.
Overall, Lisa Frankenstein is a wild good-time and an effective throwback to 80s horror comedies, but certainly has room for improvement.