8 Key Differences Between Frankenstein & The Bride!

As a total movie and book buff, I have to say Frankenstein is a true classic. Mary Shelley’s novel, published way back in 1818, still flies off the shelves today – it really is amazing! And it’s widely considered the first big science-fiction story ever written. The Creature – you know, who everyone often calls Frankenstein’s Monster – has become one of the most recognizable and important characters in all of fiction. He’s just… iconic.

The novel’s popularity has led to countless adaptations across various media. From movies and TV shows to radio and podcasts, it has inspired a wealth of artistic creations. These adaptations include more than 450 feature films, ranging from the 1915 silent film Life Without Soul directed by Joseph W. Smiley to Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, slated for release in 2025.

I just saw a movie called The Bride!, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, and it reminded me a lot of the new Frankenstein film, since they came out only a few months apart. Everyone’s been comparing them, which is understandable, but they’re actually pretty different in some big ways.

The Bride! Isn’t Based On Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Novel

As a big fan of monster movies, I always noticed the similarities between The Bride! and the classic Bride of Frankenstein. It turns out, the filmmakers were directly inspired by that 1935 film! It’s funny, because Mary Shelley, who wrote the original Frankenstein novel, wasn’t involved with Bride of Frankenstein at all. That movie was actually a sequel to the 1931 Frankenstein, also directed by James Whale.

James Whale’s Frankenstein wasn’t a particularly close adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel, as it added new characters and altered the original ending. However, the film was a critical and commercial hit, earning $12 million with a tiny $262,000 budget (which would be about $256 million today). It was so successful that it led to two sequels, including The Bride of Frankenstein, which was also a financial and critical success.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film, The Bride!, hasn’t fared as well. Critics are divided – it currently has a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – and it hasn’t performed strongly in theaters, opening to just $13.6 million worldwide despite costing $80 million to make, according to IndieWire.

There’s No Dr. Frankenstein In The Bride!

In Mary Shelley’s original novel, Frankenstein, Dr. Victor Frankenstein is the main character – a highly ambitious scientist determined to bring his creature to life. In Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation, Frankenstein (played by Oscar Isaac) is the central figure for much of the first half of the film.

This part of the story shows Dr. Frankenstein escaping from his creation, while also explaining how he brought it to life. At its best, the movie focuses on the complex relationship between the doctor and the Creature, portraying them as a strange kind of father and son.

Unlike the first film, The Bride of Frankenstein happens after the Creature has already been created. Dr. Frankenstein isn’t in this movie; instead, the Creature now goes by the name Frank.

The Bride! Has A Completely Different Protagonist Than Frankenstein

It’s often discussed whether Victor Frankenstein or the Creature he creates is the main character of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The novel is told from Victor Frankenstein’s perspective, allowing readers to experience the tragic story directly through his eyes and understand his weaknesses, goals, and how his consuming passions ultimately lead to disaster.

However, many believe the Creature is just as central to the story as its creator, perhaps even more so. It’s the character we truly sympathize with and the one that guides our sense of right and wrong. This is especially clear in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, where both the creator and the Creature get significant time telling their sides of the story.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film, The Bride!, tells the story of Ida, a woman resurrected by Frank with the assistance of Dr. Cornelia Euphronious. Now calling herself The Bride, she teams up with Frank in a relationship reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, leading to a very unique and unexpected storyline.

Frankenstein Is A More Faithful Adaptation Than The Bride!

Ken Woroner /© Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

Most movies based on Frankenstein change parts of the original story (Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 version was one of the closest adaptations, though it wasn’t very popular). So, while Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein takes some liberties with the source material, it’s typical for films based on the novel.

The movie features a few changes from the original story: Dr. Frankenstein is portrayed as older and more experienced as a surgeon, Elizabeth has a closer relationship with both Victor’s brother and the Creature, and the film includes a final scene where the Creature and Victor resolve their conflict.

This new take on The Bride of Frankenstein significantly departs from the original. Instead of being created by a man, the Bride is resurrected by a female scientist, Dr. Cornelia Euphronious, and then inhabited by the ghost of Mary Shelley herself, who narrates the story. These characters aren’t in the classic film, and unlike the original Bride, this version actually speaks. The story is also set in a different time period, further distinguishing it from the source material.

The Bride! & Frankenstein Have Completely Different Settings

The original Frankenstein novel is set in Europe during the late 1700s, especially in cold, arctic regions like Switzerland and Germany. The sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein, follows a similar setting, taking place in Germany in the early 1800s.

Guillermo Del Toro’s version of the story makes a few changes, setting it during the Crimean War in 19th-century Europe. Similar to his take on Pinocchio, which he places in 1930s Italy under fascist rule, the political climate adds emotional weight and raises the stakes for the characters.

The Bride! offers a fresh take on the Frankenstein story, relocating it to 1930s Chicago. Instead of the original’s nautical and military settings, this version features movie theaters and detectives. While both stories deviate from the source material, The Bride! is a much bolder and more surprising reinvention.

The Bride! & Frankenstein Explore Very Different Themes

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores the risks of unrestrained ambition, the impact of loneliness, and the complex bond between makers and what they create. Guillermo del Toro’s film adaptation remains faithful to these core ideas, but offers a fresh perspective. Notably, the film’s altered ending presents a more hopeful view, suggesting that forgiveness is possible even in the face of a creator’s mistreatment of their creation.

The Bride of Frankenstein is most powerful as a critique of human cruelty. When the Bride rejects the Creature’s attempt at companionship, the film portrays the scientists who created them as even more monstrous than the creatures themselves.

The Bride! boldly expands on its initial concept, grounding it in a strong feminist perspective. The Bride’s central struggle is to regain control of her life and freedom in a new world. This feminist take is a significant departure from the themes and approach of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.

FRANK Is Mortal In The Bride!

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the Creature expresses a wish to die, but it’s unclear if they actually do by the end of the novel. The same holds true for the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s film adaptation. However, the movie emphasizes the Creature’s ability to heal and comments about being unable to die, suggesting they might be immortal.

In contrast, The Bride of Frankenstein shows the Creature destroying the lab after being rejected, resulting in the deaths of Dr. Pretorius, The Bride, and himself. Similarly, in The Bride!, Frank is portrayed as vulnerable and ultimately dies after being fatally shot by the police.

The Bride! And Frankenstein Have Very Different Styles

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Guillermo del Toro have distinct filmmaking approaches. Del Toro’s Frankenstein, a recent critical success with three Oscar wins and nine nominations, is a visually impressive and technically brilliant film, full of striking images and vibrant colors. It’s a deeply emotional and sincere take on the classic Gothic tragedy.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! is a boldly stylized and energetic film. It’s edgier than typical movies, with a punk rock feel, and features more mature themes and striking visuals. The film combines elements of over-the-top melodrama and classic 1930s noir, all within a darkly comedic and tragic love story reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, and inspired by the legend of Frankenstein.

2026-03-23 00:51