- Rating: 4/5 stars
- Verdict: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s "The Bride!" reimagines Bride of Frankenstein as a gothic romance about identity, agency and love. Set in 1930s Chicago, it follows resurrected Ida and lonely Frank in a stylish tale. Visually striking and bold, it’s a passionate, if occasionally confusing, story overall.
- Where to watch: "The Bride!" premieres in theaters on March 5
In a world of hot monsters and messy love affairs, gothic romance films have truly reclaimed their stake in the hearts of modern viewers. From The Creature in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, to the brooding and yearning in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, gothic romances are back in full swing — and Maggie Gyllenhaal's second directorial outing, 'The Bride!', is by no means an exception. I'll be honest here, though, despite the genre coming back in spades, I am not the target audience. Well, maybe demographically, I am, but I identify my movie tastes as simple as they come — I like my romances steamy, my comedies laugh-your-guts-out-funny, and I close my eyes at any inkling of horror or excessive gore. That said, sitting down to view 'The Bride!' after watching the tonally darker trailer, I was pleasantly surprised that my preferences (including the gore) had found their way into the film. While the film itself has already received some rave reviews from critics, its dark sensibilities may not appeal to all. It is a magnificent feast for fans of Frankenstein, his monster, and the gothic romance genre, guaranteeing it will be a smash.
