‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Trailer: Diablo Cody Digs Up a (Dead) Cutie in Teen Twist on Classic Tale

Forgive us for being wholly unable to name our favorite part of the “Lisa Frankenstein” Get Excited for This Film Starter Pack (one of our most anticipated films of the year, by the by). Is it the basic logline (a twist on the Frankenstein mythos, this time with a teenage girl constructing her very own monster to suit her hormonal crush dreams)? Is it the talent behind the camera (first-time feature filmmaker Zelda Williams, of the Robin Williams lineage, plus a script from Diablo Cody)? Is it the talent in front of the camera (Kathryn Newton as the titular Lisa! Cole Sprouse as her monster!)?

Maybe it’s just the punny title (“Lisa Frankenstein,” you either get it, or you don’t)? Screw it, it’s everything, ideally sewn together into one delightful and unexpected package. In the film’s first full trailer, candy-colored ’80s flair is on full display, plus some winning lines from Newton and Sprouse giving an unexpectedly full-bodied performance as the seemingly voice-less creature. It’s cute, we promise!

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Per the film’s official synopsis, the film is “a coming of RAGE love story … about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.” The film also stars Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino.

The film is Cody’s first new project since 2018’s “Tully,” directed by her “Juno” compatriot Jason Reitman. Williams has spent the past few years boning up on her directing chops, including helming everything from music videos to short films, and it seems her sensibility is a strong match for Cody’s unique voice.

Check out the first full trailer for “Lisa Frankenstein” below. Focus Features will release the film in theaters on Friday, February 9, just in time for Valentine’s Day (see? cute!).

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