THE BRIDE Is What Going to the Movies Is All About (Review)

by

This new film, The Bride, reimagines the classic tale of Frankenstein’s Monster and his bride, originally depicted in the 1935 movie The Bride of Frankenstein. Unlike the silent bride of the past, this version has a voice and plenty to say. The story follows her journey as she comes to life, grapples with being seen as a monster, loses her memories of being human, falls in love with “Frank” (Frankenstein’s Monster), hears the voice of Mary Shelley within her thoughts, discovers her own strength, and ultimately tries to figure out who she truly is. The central question – “Who is The Bride?” – drives the entire plot and is at the heart of the story.

The beginning of The Bride cleverly introduces the central question that drives the entire film: Is it a ghostly tale, a horror story, or, most frighteningly, a love story? Ultimately, The Bride successfully blends all of these elements, capturing the spirit of classic gothic romances while feeling fresh and modern.

The film embodies classic gothic romance tropes—think beautiful, decaying architecture, dramatic lightning, ghostly hauntings, and even intertwined, bloodied fingers. It delivers genuine scares and moments of intense violence, often stemming not from the monsters, but from within. And, naturally, there’s a love story—the central romance between Frank and The Bride. However, what truly distinguishes this film is a different kind of love story—a modern, unconventional, and ultimately, the most frightening one of all: learning to love yourself.

As The Bride discovers who she is and what she wants, she focuses on building a strong relationship with herself. It’s unusual to see this kind of self-discovery as the central focus of a story, particularly when the main character is a woman. But by relentlessly pursuing self-understanding, The Bride highlights the importance of her journey and its potential to resonate with others.

The film’s impact goes beyond the characters on screen – it affects the audience as well. This is intentional, as the Bride and other women directly acknowledge the viewers, breaking the fourth wall. This invites everyone in the audience to connect with the story and, in a way, become the ‘bride’ in their own life.

It’s funny, almost immediately after watching the movie, I found myself saying “I would prefer not to” – it just slipped out when I was setting some boundaries for myself! That phrase, originally from a classic story by Herman Melville, really stuck with me through the Bride’s journey of prioritizing herself, and it’s now become a natural way for me to express my own needs.

Gyllenhaal clearly understands that the best movies both transport us to another world and reflect our own reality. He crafts The Bride to achieve this delicate balance, creating a powerful connection with the audience. Like the film’s protagonist, “Frank,” who uses movies to explore different possibilities and enrich his life, viewers are encouraged to find emotional release and self-discovery within the film. However, this isn’t a one-way street—the movie also asks us to bring our own experiences to it, and to take something meaningful away with us. The Bride offers a beautiful, romantic escape while simultaneously providing a sharp and thought-provoking commentary on everyday life, making it a truly impactful cinematic experience.

It’s obvious that The Bride is a passion project, made by someone with a deep love for film. Maggie Gyllenhaal directs with a bold and beautiful style, delivering impactful moments that are also visually stunning and narratively compelling. The film’s surprises unfold seamlessly, and everything contributes to its unique and captivating atmosphere. This distinct energy is present in every detail, from the bride’s striking makeup to the inventive take on the monster-making process, and the film’s diverse settings – from decaying buildings and gritty clubs to lavish parties and classic 1930s movie theaters.

I’ve rarely seen an actor connect with a camera as beautifully as Jessie Buckley does in The Bride. Director Maggie Gyllenhaal elevates Buckley’s already strong performance, turning her into something otherworldly – a character who, like everyone, has both monstrous and angelic qualities. Buckley is incredible, playing not one, but three distinct roles.

In The Bride, Buckley brilliantly portrays three roles: The Bride herself, the Bride’s physical form, Ida, and even Mary Shelley, who occasionally influences the Bride’s thoughts or directly embodies her to share inner feelings. Buckley gives each character a unique voice and set of behaviors, making them all clearly distinguishable. It’s a challenging feat, and she executes it flawlessly. As The Bride, Buckley is both strikingly ethereal and deeply vulnerable, showcasing a compellingly human side. This combination of qualities brings the character to life, creating a fully developed and captivating presence on screen.

Honestly, Christian Bale nailed the role of Frankenstein’s Monster – or “Frank,” as he’s called in this version. It’s a character we’ve all seen countless times, so bringing something new to it is incredibly difficult, but Bale really did. He doesn’t shy away from the Monster’s darker side, but he also makes you feel the immense loneliness this creature must experience, and you genuinely find yourself hoping for some kind of redemption for him. It’s easily one of the most complex and moving portrayals of the Monster I’ve ever seen. Like with the Bride, the film really focuses on Frank’s vulnerability, that heartbreaking innocence beneath the monstrous exterior, and his desperate longing for connection and love – often in the most tragic ways. It really stays with you.

Honestly, one of the most gut-wrenching parts of the film for me is Frank’s completely one-sided connection with actor Ronnie Reed, played brilliantly by Jake Gyllenhaal. Christian Bale is just phenomenal at showing us how much Reed means to Frank – it’s so pure. There are moments where he’s practically giddy watching Reed on screen, and then others where he’s holding onto a newspaper clipping of Reed’s face like it’s the only thing keeping him grounded. It’s incredibly moving, especially knowing that, for Frank, this connection is all in his head.

The musical numbers in The Bride are fantastic, seamlessly woven into the story. These scenes, reminiscent of classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films, truly make the movie feel special and cinematic. The dancing is joyful and feels natural for a film centered around the pursuit of freedom. It’s also visually stunning, bringing the glamour of old Hollywood back to life. The main dance between Frank and The Bride is particularly captivating – it’s raw and powerful, less about perfection and more about unrestrained energy, creating a magical atmosphere that draws both the characters in the film and the audience into its spell. It makes you want to join them on the dance floor!

The scenes featuring The Bride and Frank were truly captivating, but the storyline involving the mob felt somewhat rushed and like an addition rather than a central part of the plot, even though it did connect to the main story. Penélope Cruz and Peter Sarsgaard both gave strong performances. I especially liked Cruz as Myrna Mallow, a clever detective whose personal struggles mirrored those of The Bride, adding depth to the film. Sarsgaard’s character, Jake Wiles, presented an interesting arc of someone trying to make amends for past mistakes. However, I think the mob and detective plot would have been stronger if it had been either expanded or simplified; as it stood, it didn’t quite have the impact it could have.

The movie contains a significant amount of sexual assault, which the director, Maggie Gyllenhaal, has discussed frankly and with a clear purpose. While I understand and respect her artistic choices, I personally found these scenes very upsetting and difficult to watch.

In the end, The Bride perfectly captures the magic of going to the movies. As the credits rolled and I sat alone in the theater, I was overcome with the powerful feeling that only a great film can deliver. The Bride truly resonated with me, and I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. The choice of “The Monster Mash” as the closing song was perfect – a fun, celebratory tune about accepting and enjoying who you are. It was a lovely final touch from Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The Bride ⭐ (4 of 5)

Read More

2026-03-04 23:04