Christian Bale and The Bride: A Punk Rock Take on a Classic Tale
Last year, horror fans were treated to Guillermo del Toro’s lavishly gothic Frankenstein. This year, all eyes are on The Bride!, a fresh and punky take on the iconic Bride of Frankenstein – or, as the film prefers, simply The Bride. Jessie Buckley, currently captivating audiences with her performance in Hamnet, brings this horror heroine to life. The film, set to release on March 6th, benefits from Buckley’s rising acclaim, but writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal already recognized her exceptional talent.
“I had worked with Jessie in The Lost Daughter, my first film,” Gyllenhaal shared in a press conference attended by io9. “She is truly brilliant. I loved her, and we both knew when we worked together that we were kindred spirits. With Jessie, I could just talk to her like I talk to myself – it’s completely pure. I even hesitated to write the part specifically for her, fearing it might limit its potential.”
However, that hesitation didn’t last. “I ended up writing it, and realized it was only Jessie who could embody this role. I still don’t know who else could have played it,” Gyllenhaal admitted. “It’s her wisdom in understanding that every human being encompasses the full spectrum of emotions – fierce power alongside deep vulnerability, intelligence mixed with irrationality, sexiness and even ugliness. She allows all of that to exist within her work, making her incredibly relatable. And The Bride, the character I asked her to play, needs all of that to truly resonate.”
The Bride’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Gyllenhaal delved deeper into Buckley’s character, explaining, “She plays someone who was unable to express herself before her death… and so she returns with a lot to say. Many people, myself included, can relate to that feeling.” The trailer hints at this: The Bride awakens without a sense of self, lacking any reference point or compass. “What does she need? What is her agenda? Part of it is simply to discover who she is. We’ve seen this narrative explored countless times with male characters – ‘Who am I, really?’ – and it’s a powerful motivation for The Bride as well.”
Inspiration and Punk Aesthetics
The film’s visual style draws inspiration from classics like Bonnie and Clyde, Badlands, Metropolis, and Wild at Heart, aiming to subvert “classic movie things.” Gyllenhaal emphasized a free-flowing creative process. “I just let my mind open up and roam. Of course, there are inspirations, but I allowed the film to go anywhere at all.”
The setting, ostensibly the 1930s, is viewed through a more rebellious lens. “As I was writing, I realized Frankenstein is incredibly lonely, and we hint at this in the trailer; he doesn’t have anyone to talk to. His primary relationship is with a movie star – someone he can imagine a connection with, who doesn’t know him at all. Frankenstein, with his frightening face, is safe in the dark. Once I realized he needed a relationship with a movie star, I chose the ’30s for its aesthetic and the fantasy-driven nature of the films. It’s about the contrast between fantasy and reality, and the allure of a love affair rooted in the real world.”
However, the film isn’t a strict period piece. “It’s set in the ’30s, but not exactly… it’s the ’30s by way of downtown New York in 1981, and now. It’s a ’30s born from my imagination.” Gyllenhaal confirmed the film’s punk influences, noting that Christian Bale even shared images and videos of Sid Vicious during pre-production. “That’s straight-up punk, right? There’s definitely an aspect of that in the movie.”
The Bride! hits theaters on March 6th.
Further Reading:
- Marvel Releases – Stay up-to-date on upcoming Marvel films.
- Star Wars News – Explore the latest in the Star Wars universe.
- Star Trek Updates – Discover what’s next for Star Trek.
