So I Finally Watched Lisa Frankenstein, And I Have Very Strong Feelings About One Character’s Death

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As a long-time fan of horror comedies and a connoisseur of cinematic performances, I must say that I was truly disappointed with the underutilization of the talented Carla Gugino in “Lisa Frankenstein.” Having seen her shine in numerous roles, from the eerie yet captivating Mae West in “Sin City” to the resilient and resourceful Helen in “Watchmen,” it was disheartening to see such a wasted opportunity in this film.

First, I want to apologize for taking so long to finally watch Lisa Frankenstein.

You’re familiar with the drill – a plethora of films slated for 2024 release, making it challenging to stay current on every title. However, Zelda Williams’ Lisa Frankenstein was one that caught my attention, particularly because Diablo Cody, the screenwriter behind the Jennifer’s Body script, was involved in the story. Given my fondness for her work, I had high expectations for this movie.

In summary, though it had a sluggish beginning, the movie eventually won me over with its comedy. However, there’s one character death that occurred which I strongly disliked and feel quite passionately about. Today, let’s delve into this particular aspect.

The Movie Overall Was A Ton Of Fun

To put it simply, the movie turned out to be an absolute blast, and I found myself thoroughly entertained by it. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I chose to watch this particular film; all I knew was that I am a devoted fan of Jennifer’s Body, so I had a hunch I would enjoy this one as well.

Initially, opinions about Lisa Frankenstein varied greatly; some found the film entertaining while others found it excruciating to watch. I tend to skim through reviews and form my own expectations before watching a movie, then judge if it meets those standards. Given that the same author penned Jennifer’s Body, the mixed reception of this movie doesn’t come as a shock.

For my part, the film managed to please on multiple levels. Admittedly, there were instances where the tempo felt uneven, and I must confess that there were moments that were quite gruesome, leaving me questioning why it wasn’t given an R rating. However, in spite of these minor flaws, the movie is entertaining. It’s a delightful mix of horror and comedy, with a dark romance woven into it, which you can’t help but cheer for.

The movie was released alongside several others, such as “Bob Marley: One Love”, resulting in relatively low theater attendance. However, from my perspective after watching it at home, I found it to be an enjoyable, light-hearted adventure.

I’m So Upset Carla Gugino’s Character Died So Early In The Movie

My one issue is Carla Gugino’s character, Janet, dying so early in the movie. It’s a huge issue.

To begin with, I should clarify that I don’t find it troubling in these types of films when characters meet their end. In fact, it’s an essential element of the most terrifying movies – even if they’re funny or frightening, they still need a touch of death to qualify as horror flicks.

As a devoted horror movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that deaths, especially in the genre, carry significant weight. They should serve a purpose within the narrative, either advancing the plot or providing a compelling reason for a character’s demise. That’s exactly how Janet struck me from the get-go.

Carla Gugino is an exceptionally adaptable actress, ranging from her endearing portrayal as one of the parents in “Spy Kids” to her chilling performances in Mike Flanagan’s horror series like “The Haunting of Hill House” or “The Fall of the House of Usher”. She consistently delivers captivating performances, and I am an ardent admirer of her work.

Previously, she hadn’t appeared in a humorous-scary part like this one, which made it unexpected for me, given that I wasn’t familiar with the film’s cast before watching it. Since I’m a fan, seeing her was quite surprising.

Initially, I looked forward to witnessing her actions and seeing how she’d impact the storyline. However, when she was swiftly eliminated from the film early on, I found myself puzzled and pondering… what was the reason for that?

She Could Have Played The Perfect Evil Step-Mother

In movies, there are quite a few wicked stepmothers portrayed. Without even thinking, I could list several. To my surprise, Janet might not have been one of the worst ever, but she certainly had potential to leave a memorable impact on the movie.

From the get-go, it was evident that there was something between her and Lisa that wasn’t quite right – she found Lisa peculiar. In her climactic scene where she menaces sending Lisa away to an asylum, I couldn’t help but ponder over what might have transpired if she had simply held her tongue instead.

Initially, she was a prominent figure, but as the bond between the Creature and Lisa deepened, she receded into the shadows until her passing, after which we seldom hear about her except for Taffy mourning. I found myself longing to witness her transformation into a key player, slowly suspecting Lisa’s actions and attempting to unmask both the Creature and herself as an accomplice in the murders, transforming into a true adversary. However, this development never materialized in the story.

In truth, there’s no clear antagonist in this movie as Lisa consistently manages to escape any consequences, even going so far as to take her own life to be with the Creature and prevent imprisonment. It would have been more engaging if Janet had presented a formidable challenge or adversity for Lisa to overcome.

I Would Have Loved To See Her Interact With Taffy And Lisa More As The Film Went On

Another observation I made is that Janet could have added depth to the dynamic between Taffy and Lisa when their interactions became more frequent. Although they didn’t develop the close relationship Taffy hinted at, they still shared some entertaining scenes together. I believe these scenes would have been even more impactful if Janet had been involved.

It was evident that Taffy deeply cared for her mother, as shown by her response when Janet disappeared. I often ponder how more engaging this tale could have been if perhaps Janet had attempted to explain the situation with Lisa to Taffy. In such a case, Taffy might not have believed Janet due to her suspicion that her mother was harboring ill feelings towards her. This would have led to a misunderstanding.

It might have been amusing to experience some comical instances; unfortunately, we didn’t delve deeper into them.

I Hope Carla Gugino Gets To Be A Little More Animated In Other Horror Movies

It’s well-known that Gugino isn’t unfamiliar with horror movie roles. However, what made her recent appearance in a horror-comedy particularly delightful was the change of pace from traditional horror films. Given the opportunity, she could have brought a lot of fun elements to this genre had she been able to explore it more extensively.

Perhaps if or when Gugino appears in future horror-comedies with larger roles, she’ll have the opportunity to show more expressiveness. For the present, _Lisa Frankenstein_ is what we’ve been given so far, and I truly hope it won’t be her final performance.

No matter what role Carla Gugino takes on next, I’m bound to adore it just as much as her upcoming film. However, I can’t help but fantasize about what she might do next.

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2024-12-02 04:07