She’s aliiive!
With Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-aspiring new version on Frankenstein weeks away, we are getting a sneak peek at a different take on Mary Shelley’s classic horror tale in the form of The Bride, whose teaser trailer dropped today.
More from Gold Derby
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (a two-time Oscar nominee for acting in Crazy Heart and writing The Lost Daughter), the film has more of a wild, punk-rock vibe than del Toro’s Gothic vision. The Bride was originally slated for a fall release, but Warner Bros. delayed the opening until March 6, 2026, to avoid direct competition with del Toro’s Frankenstein, which will have a Halloween run in theaters before hitting Netflix on Nov. 7.
Who’s in the cast?
The Lost Daughter Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley (who’s currently garnering awards buzz for her role in Hamnet) stars as the freakish bride, with Academy Award winner Christian Bale (The Fighter) taking on the iconic role of Frankenstein’s monster. Five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening plays an experimental scientist named Dr. Euphronious. Two-time Oscar nominee Peter Sarsgaard (aka Gyllenhaal’s spouse) is a detective looking into the strange matter.
The A-list ensemble of The Bride includes Academy Award winner Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (aka Maggie’s brother). Julianne Hough, John Magaro, Oscar nominee Jeannie Berlin, Linda Emond, Louis Cancelmi, and Matthew Maher also star.
‘The Bride’ movie posterWarner Bros.
What’s the plot?
In 1930s Chicago, Dr. Euphronious creates a romantic companion for Bale’s monster using the corpse of a murdered woman, played by Buckley. Warner Bros. promises The Bride will be filled with “murder,” “possession,” and “romance” — all amid the backdrop of “a wild and radical cultural movement.” The movie is inspired by James Whale’s 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, which in turn is adapted from Shelley’s 1818 novel.
Watch the trailer
The two-minute teaser trailer, released Sept. 23, opens with a psychedelic mishmash of images, as Buckley’s character laughs maniacally at the camera. “Was I just the same? Before the accident?” she asks aloud. Bale’s monster replies, “There wasn’t any accident. Everything we did, we did it on purpose.” He instructs his new bride that the only thing they can do now is “live” together with each other.
The uncensored video (watch above) spotlights the tagline, “Here comes the mother f–king bride,” as Buckley’s character expresses her frustration at not being able to remember her own name. “Monstrous,” she coos at the end, appearing as a head in a jar.
Who’s behind the scenes?
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs and writes the project, and produces alongside Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler, and Osnat Handelsman Keren. The executive producers are Carla Raij, David Webb, and Courtney Kivowitz. The film’s artisans include cinematographer Lawrence Sher, production designer Karen Murphy, editor Dylan Tichenor, music supervisor Randall Poster, composer Hildur Gudnadóttir, and costume designer Sandy Powell.
Why the delay?
Originally, The Bride was slated for a theatrical release this fall. The movie studio smartly delayed it until next March in order to avoid going head-to-head with Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which comes to limited theaters in October before landing on Netflix in November. His version stars Oscar Isaac as Dr. Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the creature, and Mia Goth as a love interest.
Best of Gold Derby
Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.