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Movie poster, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Title: Lisa Frankenstein
Director: Zelda Williams
Producer: Diablo Cody, Elizabeth Ellson, Jeffrey Lampert, and Mason Novick
Screenplay by: Diablo Cody
Starring: Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse
Production Company: MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Distributed by: Focus Features, Universal Pictures
Initial Release: February 9, 2024
Format: Movie
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, sexual material, language, sexual assault, teen drinking and drug content.
Genre: Horror, Humor, Romance
Plot Summary: In the style of a cult classic 80's movie, Lisa Frankenstein is a fun and twisted take on the teen romance genre. The film follows Lisa, a misunderstood high school girl, who decides to build her dream guy using the corpse of a dead Victorian guy that she accidentally brings back to life during a freak lightning storm. What follows is a chaotic string of events as Lisa and her reanimated creation navigate high school, hiding bodies, and figuring out how to make their strange new relationship work. But as the corpse regains pieces of his humanity, Lisa starts to lose touch with hers.
Creator Background:
Diablo Cody was born Brook Busey on June 14, 1978, in the Chicago suburb of Lemont and raised in a tight knit, Midwestern Catholic household alongside her brother and devout parents. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in Media Studies, she worked several jobs as a secretary and proofreader in Chicago and the Twin Cities. Feeling stifled, she made the move to Minneapolis, where she began blogging and working as a stripper. It was this bold change to her life that inspired her voice and helped her create her pen name, Diablo Cody. She then went on to write the award winning movie Juno (2007), which has been considered one of the most successful debut screenplays ever written. She now lives in California with her husband, Dan Maurio, and their three sons.
Movie poster, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Critical Evaluation:
I've always loved comedy/horror and Lisa Frankenstein definitely did not disappoint. It's weird, messy, and kind of brilliant in the way it reimagines the teen coming-of-age (or coming-of-RAGE as it's advertised) story through a chaotic plotline. At the center of the movie is Lisa, a grieving, awkward girl who doesn’t really fit in anywhere, until she accidentally brings a Victorian corpse back to life and decides to help him “fix” himself by collecting new body parts. It starts off kind of sweet, in a twisted way, but quickly spirals into something darker as Lisa becomes more confident and more unhinged. I liked that the movie never tried to make her traditionally likable. Instead, it leans into her shift from overlooked teen to morally-questionable antihero. Newton does a fabulous job portraying her.
Visually, it goes full ’80s with all the aesthetic you’d expect, and it totally commits to the absurdity of its own premise. The tone walks a fine line between camp and sincerity, and while most of it works, some moments push it a little too far. That said, I really appreciate how the film plays with power and control, and how Lisa’s grief and isolation drive her choices in ways that feel realistic, even when they’re horrifying. The film isn't clean or polished, but that’s kind of the point. Lisa Frankenstein isn’t trying to be for everyone, it’s for the outcast kids who want something weird and different, and it delivers exactly that.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
An idea for a library program based off Lisa Frankenstein could be a day program for teens around Valentine's Day that blends the creepy and cutesy aesthetics. There could be several art stations, including build-your-own monster valentines and DIY pins, followed by a screening of Lisa Frankenstein. Additionally, themed snacks like broken heart cookies and “blood” punch would be a great to have. A mini display of Frankenstein retellings and comedy/horror books could also be really fun and an engaging way to advertise the event beforehand.
Movie screenshot, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Movie screenshot, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Speed Round Book Talk:
Grieving, awkward Lisa accidentally brings a Victorian corpse back to life—and decides to help him find new body parts from people who won’t be missed. It’s gory, weird, and darkly funny, with major '80s vibes and a twisted take on first love. If you’re into campy horror, chaotic romance, and stories about girls going a little off the rails, this one’s for you.
Potential Issues:
One potential issue with using Lisa Frankenstein for library programming is its level of gore and dark humor, which might not be appropriate for all teen audiences or could make some parents uncomfortable. The murder scenes, while done in a comedic way, might cross the line for viewers expecting a lighter tone, especially if the event is marketed more as a rom-com. The film also includes themes of murder and morally gray behavior that, while stylized, could raise questions about what’s being endorsed. Finally, some patrons may object to the blend of romance and violence, especially if the event is tied to Valentine’s Day. The advertising for the event would have to be very clear to set expectations.
Movie poster, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Movie screenshot, credit MXN Entertainment, Lollipop Woods
Reason for Inclusion:
I chose to include Lisa Frankenstein because it’s a bold and wild take on teen identity, grief, and self discovery, wrapped in a weirdly charming comedy/horror package. It speaks to teens who feel like outsiders and aren’t afraid of stories that get a little messy, both emotionally and literally. The film offers a creative entry point for discussing classic literature, genre bending storytelling, and how love and power can get tangled up in unexpected ways.
References:
Keady, M. (2018, January 14). The Great Screenwriters: Part 23 – Diablo Cody - The Script Lab. The Script Lab.
Lisa Frankenstein. (2024, February 9). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21188080/
Lisa Frankenstein. (2024, March 20). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Frankenstein
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