2023 isn’t over but we already know what movie we’re watching in the New Year.
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As 2023 enters its final weeks, the year’s biggest films have either been shown in cinemas or just a handful left yet to be screened. But as we take stock of the year that was in the movie world, that also means we get to look forward to the biggest, most anticipated, and potential sleeper hits of 2024. One film that has been on our radar since it was first announced in 2022 is Lisa Frankenstein.
From its cast, crew, story, and more, the movie already has a spot on the films we can’t wait to see in the new year. Luckily, we don’t have to wait long to catch it in cinemas as it opens in the country on February 7, 2024, just in time for Valentine’s season. Scroll down for a few reasons why the movie is already on our 2024 watchlist.
IT’S A TEEN ROMANCE MEETS ZOMBIES IN THE 80s
Rom-com? More like zomb-com. Stepping away from the typical troupes of the teen romance comedy, Lisa Frankenstein offers viewers a unique take on teen love between a young woman and her dead bae. Set in the 1980s, this “coming-of-rage” love story follows a misunderstood teenager, Lisa (Kathryn Newton), and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse.
Against all odds and after all the horrific circumstances that brought him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness, and a few missing body parts along the way. Sounds like a movie date. TBH, the movie is giving shades of Warm Bodies, and if you’ve seen that film, you know it’s a great comparison.
IT’S LIZA SOBERANO’S HOLLYWOOD DEBUT
Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse as the lead stars of the movie are already enough to get us to the cinemas. But what we’re most excited about is how the film serves as Liza Soberano’s Hollywood debut. While we’ve known for a while that Liza was set to appear in the movie, having an actual concrete and tangible date for next February has us giddy for her Hollywood era.
It can be remembered that it was director Zelda Williams herself who asked Liza to audition for the role. She sent in an audition tape while she was in South Korea, and then her manager got word that Liza got the role. And as seen in the first trailer, we got our first glimpse of Liza as Taffy, Lisa’s step-sister. We’re ready for her moment as she channels her 80s movie star. And now that the SAG-AFTRA strike is over, hopefully Liza can promote the movie with her co-stars.
IT’S WRITTEN BY DIABLO CODY
To some, Oscar-winning writer Diablo Cody’s films are divisive. But to us, she’s a modern-day Shakespeare. From Juno, the iconic Jennifer’s Body, Tully, and more, Cody has given us poignant and well-crafted stories for the new generation. Given her previous work, we’re hoping that this movie will be witty, sharp, and even dark as it tackles themes through the POV of realistic teenagers. And considering how Lisa Frankenstein looks to play on the teen rom-com through a zombified lens, we might just get that.
IT SERVES AS ZELDA WILLIAMS’ DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
INSTAGRAM/LISAFRANKENSTEINFILM
Most know Zelda Williams as the daughter of late great actor and comedian Robin Williams. But as of late, she’s been making a name for herself in the creative space, with Lisa Frankenstein serving as her feature film directorial debut. “I received this wonderful, crazy, incredible script almost 2 years ago too. And yet somehow, this shift from acting to directing still feels fresh, and somehow fragile. And so goddamn exciting! I hope that never changes,” she shared on her Instagram announcing the project. With how the past few years have given us some amazing directorial debuts, we’re excited to see the new energy Williams injects into this film, and cinema in general.
This pre-Valentine offering from Universal Studios opens February 7 next year in local cinemas nationwide.
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