The Bride! – Movie Review (4/5)

THE BRIDE! is a new genre hybrid from filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, and this is nothing short of a wild masterpiece. This continuation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein universe, with Jessie Buckley in the title role, will not be for everyone. For me, however, it’s full of power and vulnerability in all the right ways. Read our full The Bride! movie review here!

THE BRIDE! is a movie based on Mary Shelley’s iconic Frankenstein, but this is not about Frankenstein’s Monster. Instead, it’s entirely its own thing with an original screenplay from writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal. It’s set in 1930s Chicago, and includes both Mary Shelley (in a roundabout way) and Frankenstein’s monster, new mad scientists, and (of course!) the Bride herself.

If I were to compare the style of this movie to anything else (and I would really rather not, but I think it could get more people curious), I would say this; The Bride! is perfect for fans of both Guillermo del Toro (due to the obvious affection for “monsters”) and Baz Luhrman (for the original take on familiar characters and plots). With a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes, there’s room for it all.

Also, do stay seated for the early end-credit scene that helps the audience understand where it could continue from its ending.

Continue reading our The Bride! movie review below. Find it In Theaters from March 6, 2026.

Here comes The Bride, indeed

While there is already a movie titled The Bride of Frankenstein, it isn’t really about the bride. This is what writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal got intrigued with: the fact that this character is so iconic yet has no personality of her own. What were her thoughts and desires? How did she feel about being created, and why did no one care to know the answers to these questions?!

From there, the idea of The Bride! was born, and I can feel that this was made with a very different outset than so many other stories. This is all about The Bride. We meet Mary Shelley and Ida (both played by Jessie Buckley) before we ever see Frankenstein’s Monster (Christian Bale).

So, while The Bride! begins with a lonely Frankenstein; this is not his story. We meet him as he travels to 1930s Chicago, but he only goes there because he hopes the groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) will help him. He wants desperately to have a companion, and since his own creator is no longer around, he needs another mad scientist.

In order to create a companion for him, the two will need a body. The obvious choice is to revive a murdered young woman buried among the poor, and only hours later, The Bride (Jessie Buckley) is born. The beginning of their coupledom isn’t exactly easy, but he is ready to wait and support her as she finds her way. Soon, it will turn into a true romance… even if it was born out of death and lies!

A Crazy Masterpiece

To me, The Bride! is a wild and crazy masterpiece that deserves to become an iconic classic in its own right. There are so many nods to Hollywood classics (both from the Frankenstein universe and otherwise) while also being focused on this very contemporary story.

However, as I write this, I also have to acknowledge that someone like Marlene Dietrich, who is mentioned in The Bride! was at least as wild and revolutionary in her own right. Jessie Buckley is breathtaking in the title role. She begins as Ida, who becomes influenced by Mary Shelley in what can only be described as a paranormal way, before she becomes Penelope and then simply The Bride.

Jessie Buckley brings a lot of physicality to her character, while also having to constantly switch between accents and personalities. When I call her performance breathtaking, I do literally mean she took my breath away. The intensity of the dialogue and the energy with which it’s delivered is matched only by her powerhouse presence.

Having said that, I also have to give credit to Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s Monster (or just “Frank”) and, especially, Annette Bening as the mad, yet brilliant, scientist, Dr. Euphronius. Also in key roles are Peter Sarsgaard and Penélope Cruz as detectives, who are constantly on the heels of the “monsters”. Plus, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Hollywood royalty adored by Frankenstein’s Monster.

A Call to Arms?!

In many wonderful ways, The Bride! does come across as a call to arms. And with the release ahead of the weekend of International Women’s Day (March 8, in case you didn’t know), I would hope it’s obvious who I believe this is directed at. Now, for the record, I don’t literally think any women should start attacking people around them, but it is high time for action.

Maybe just adopting The Bride’s phrase of “I would prefer not to” could be a start. When you don’t want to do something, then it is more than allowed to simply say “I would prefer not to” and do whatever you would like to do.

And no, it doesn’t just go for women, which is also a key element of this story. After all, Frankenstein’s monster, who has adopted the name of his father (or creator, if you will) and often goes by “Frank”, has the same world experience of not being accepted. For him, it’s due to his appearance and having no place in the world.

Watch The Bride! in theaters!

As mentioned several times, The Bride! comes from Maggie Gyllenhaal, who has already become an Academy Award-nominated writer/director for The Lost Daughter, which also starred Jessie Buckley. In fact, while Maggie Gyllenhaal was nominated for Best Screenplay, both Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman were Oscar-nominated for their performances in that movie.

And yes, I can easily see that Jessie Buckley should be nominated for all the awards for The Bride! as well. This movie is a wild genre hybrid, which isn’t always for everyone. Least of all when a woman is at the helm. To me, however, this is a masterpiece in all its wild and violent ways while remaining vulnerable and intelligent.

The score also comes from an Academy Award-winner: composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, who won for Joker.

This movie is a genre hybrid that spans many genres, but more than anything, it delivers on a fascinating story and amazing performances from an extremely strong cast. If you’re ready for a movie that encompasses dark comedy, dark romance, horror, sci-fi, and even psychological drama, then this is for you. You won’t be truly ready for The Bride, but she’s ready for you.

THE BRIDE! is out exclusively in theaters and IMAX on March 6, 2026.

Details

Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Writer: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zlatko Buric

Images © 2026 WBEI