Boy Parts

A Good Valentine’s Day Movie

Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) has moved to a new town after her mother was violently murdered. Her father Dale (Joe Chrest) has remarried this awful woman named Janet (Carla Gugino)(yes, that is a Rocky Horror reference) and now has a stepsister named Taffy (Liza Soberano). Lisa ends up spending a lot of time hanging out in the bachelor cemetery, where there’s a grave featuring a bust of a handsome young man.

One night, a bolt of lightning strikes said grave, bringing the Creature (Cole Sprouse) back to life. He can’t talk, looks a little worn out around the edges, and is missing a few body parts. But that’s nothing a bath, tanning bed, and murder can’t fix. What follows is a lot like E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial, with an otherworldly creature hiding in a closet and playing dress up, but as a love story and with more axe murder.

Film Comparisons

Diablo Cody, who wrote the script for this film, previously wrote Jennifer’s Body. A film whose reputation has grown so much over the years, the teaser for Lisa Frankenstein mentions it and not the movie Cody won an Oscar for. According to the writer, both Lisa Frankenstein and Jennifer’s Body take place within the same universe. The Jenniferverse, maybe?

Lisa’s dynamic with her stepsister Taffy is similar to the nerdy girl/cheerleader one between Anita “Needy” Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried) and Jennifer Check (Megan Fox). Though they don’t have the same gay subtext and Taffy is a better friend (though that’s not exactly a high bar to pass). Taffy also doesn’t kill anyone or acts as an accomplish.

Speaking of murder, who killed Lisa’s mom? (spoilers) Well, the movie never tells us definitively, but there are multiple hits that Lisa herself did it. A rumor around school accuses her of such, which she’s livid to find out. You can read that one of two ways. Lisa was also the only one with her mom when she died and in the flashback, the killer was wearing a Bride of Frankenstein mask. So, yeah. (spoilers) 

Final Thoughts

Lisa Frankenstein isn’t as much of a horror movie as Jennifer’s Body is, which might be why I liked the earlier film just a little bit more. Lisa Frankenstein is more a cute love story and comedy than a horror movie. In terms of funny moments, there’s this great bit where the Creature finds a Hitachi Magic Wand and Lisa says that it’s for back massages. Apparently, it’s good for that too.

In terms of quirky, offbeat movies that appeal to women and gays, Lisa Frankenstein isn’t a near masterpiece like Bottoms, but it’s still a good movie. Newton was great, as always, and I also really liked Sprouse’s performance. He was able to successfully convey thoughts and feelings without any dialogue (spoilers) until the very end, that is. (spoilers). 

Another thing I liked about the movie is its style. It’s set in the 1980s, so the characters have these great outfits, like when Lisa goes full Madonna towards the end. Lisa Frankenstein might also have the best usage of REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling” since The Way Way Back. So, if you want to see a funny movie with a great style, I’d check this one out.