Comedy meets horror in the latest feature by writer Diablo Cody, best known for acclaimed 2007 coming-of-age story Juno, 2018's strong exploration of parenthood Tully, and the memorable and divisive Jennifer’s Body.
Her latest offering, an absurdist and female-driven spin on the Frankenstein story, is a disappointing turn from the talented writer.
The film, which is Zelda Williams' (daughter of Robin Williams) directorial feature debut, takes heavy inspiration from horror films of the '80s, including John Hughes’ Weird Science, and 1990’s Edward Scissorhands.
It follows American teenager Lisa Swallows (played by Big Little Lies star Kathryn Newton) who grows up in a blended family, complete with beauty pageant stepsister, oblivious dad and cruel and uptight stepmother.
Goth Lisa prefers to spend her time at the local graveyard where she "speaks" to its buried inhabitants. She particularly fantasizes about being with a reincarnated version of one man buried there, with whom she feels a deep connection.
Cue a random sequence of events that leads to said man coming back to life as a filthy zombie-like "Creature", played by Riverdale star Cole Sprouse. He moves into Lisa's wardrobe, unbeknownst to her family - is unable to speak and is missing several body parts.
Embarking on a gory spree, the dastardly duo attempt to find those parts and reattach them.
What emerges is a wacky mishmash of comedy, drama, romance, horror and even musical elements, without cohesion – and none of which are done well enough to carry the movie. It all feels off balance.
Stuck in its 1980s’ references, the film lacks original or fresh ideas to compensate. It lurches from one ridiculous plot point to the next, without emotion, story and character development, or true commitment to any of the aforementioned elements - it feels very surface level, and as stitched together as The Creature.
Leads Newton and Sprouse do their best with the material given and show decent comic abilities and deliver some laughs, but there's little that can be done with a weak narrative.
Another frustrating element of the film is that it bills itself as somewhat of a feminist take on the Frankenstein story, yet takes every opportunity to belittle the majority of female characters - including Lisa’s mother, sister and love rival.
The tonal shifts throughout are particularly jarring, with scenes of a sexual nature feeling tawdry, out of place and oddly edited.
Perhaps in time it will resurrect itself and receive cult status as per Cody's Jennifer's Body, but I wouldn't hold out hope.
