Lisa Frankenstein

It’s not original – in fact it relies too much on its many pop-cultural callbacks – but there’s something universal about Lisa’s emotions that any lovesick, sulky teen girl can revel in.

... a serviceable, fun goth romp.

Just about fun enough to sustain 101 clattering, dusty, dimly lit minutes. Reviews will be mixed. But it has every chance of being resurrected as a cult classic.

Like the creature at the center of it, this starts out creaky... but then, again, like the creature at the center of it, it proceeds to find its feet and indeed its voice.

Like Karyn Kusama’s Jennifer’s Body (2009), also scripted by Diablo Cody, Lisa Frankenstein disinters a murderous monstrousness from female adolescence, empowerment and eros, while gradually reaffirming the (step)sisterhood.

If the central character isn’t consistent or at least credible, what chance does the rest of this sloppily paced, tacked-together mess have?

While there is room for improvement, this is a bloody good time!

The teen/ horror/ monster/ slasher/ period film would have been served better if it could make up its mind about its identity

Whatever the issue holding Lisa Frankenstein back from its highest potential, its joys outweigh its flaws and, despite the lack of indelible quotables, it’s great to see Cody back in high school.

Lisa Frankenstein is a colorful new entry in the “Good For Her” canon of horror films. It’s got the marks of an inspired director and a script that refuses to conform. Whatever small hiccups that are present can easily be forgiven because of this.