Maggie Gyllenhaal’s bold interpretation of The Bride reimagines the classic monster story as an emotional gothic love story. Unlike past adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the central focus of the story remains Jessie Buckley’s Bride. Set in a gloomy 1930s Chicago, Dr Euphronius agrees to resurrect a dead woman named Ida at Frankenstein’s request, who is longing for a life partner he believes will fill the hole in his heart.

Upon being resurrected, the Bride, now amnesiac and unable to recall her past life, refuses to play the submissive mate to Frank, who initially lies to her, claiming they were already lovers before her death. Their simmering tension, fueled by his clingy need for companionship and her growing rebellion, pushes the story into a wild, road-trip-style spree, while the duo avoids pursuit after their story garners public traction.

MovieThe Bride! (2026)DirectorMaggie GyllenhaalCastJessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette BeningIMDb6.2 (as of March 6)Tomatometer | Popcornmeter60% | N/A (as of March 6)

Jessie Buckley’s The Bride Refuses to Conform to a Mold

Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of the story shares several parallels with her acclaimed debut feature, The Lost Daughter. Similar to The Lost Daughter, where Buckley’s Leda refuses to conform to societal norms about the idealized mold of motherhood, Bride, in the story, opposes the prospect of becoming a tool to fill Frankenstein’s loneliness.

She’s rebellious, strong, curious, and independent, and amid their tumultuous journey across the streets of Chicago, Bride comes to appreciate the beauty of human life over art and freedom. Moreover, she bonds over her Frankenstein over his love for cinema, while they escape the police pursuit, led by Peter Sarsgaard’s Jake Wiles and Penélope Cruz’s Myrna Mallo, in the wake of their crimes.

As much as it’s an emotional romance, one of its biggest strengths remains Bride’s progress toward autonomy and agency. But even amidst all that, the story subverts expectations in the end when Bride agrees to stay with Frankenstein.

The Bride is a Hopeful Subversion of the Classic Frankenstein Tale

Christian Bale‘s iteration of the classic Frankenstein is less of a monster compared to other notable adaptations, as it leans into vulnerability, gentleness, and profound loneliness. While he desperately clings to Bride out of fear of losing his lone connection, he eventually learns that love cannot exist without freedom.

A still from The Bride! | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

However, unlike other adaptations, they do end up together, not because Bride has a duty to fill his loneliness, but because she wanted to stay by his side. At its core, this movie is a story about finding freedom, and Bride, after discovering herself over the course of the movie, takes full agency and chooses to be with Frankenstein for the rest of her life.

Although the movie has its flaws and is a bit exposition-heavy in conveying its themes, it is undoubtedly a worthy theatrical experience. As Christian Bale previously said, we need more movies like this on the big screen.

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The Bride is currently playing in theaters.
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