Normally, I am not a fan of comedies, preferring straight horror and crime thrillers However, there is one movie that was released earlier this year that I really wanted to see To my surprise, the film unexpectedly stood out and now that it is available on Prime Video, I am eager to dig in and watch it again

Directed by Zelda Williams and written by the always witty Diablo Cody, "Lisa Frankenstein" is arguably the most underrated horror comedy of the year (so far) What makes the film stand out is its unique storyline A socially awkward teenage girl falls in love with a handsome Victorian-era corpse, and what follows is a delightful mix of horror, comedy, and heartfelt moments (though not so much serious horror)

Nowadays, it feels like it's rare to find a movie that genuinely makes you laugh, cringe, or be shocked, but "Lisa Frankenstein" does just that If you haven't seen it yet, here's why you should watch this horror-comedy on the best streaming services

"Lisa Frankenstein" is set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1989 and follows Lisa (Kathryn Newton), a misunderstood and socially awkward teenager who visits a cemetery one night and talks to the grave of a young man struck by lightning and killed in 1837 In a twist of fate, a bolt of lightning strikes his grave, and the attractive yet bewildered Victorian corpse, simply named "The Creature" (Cole Sprouse), comes to life

As their bond deepens (even though he is mute), Lisa tries to make him the perfect undead boyfriend, but this proves difficult as they encounter a series of humorous and chaotic events For example, Lisa must find new body parts to keep him alive and looking normal The film features amusing dialogue and playful homages to classic "Frankenstein" lore that are hallmarks of Diablo Cody's screenplay If you like elements of gothic horror and the vibrant, quirky spirit of 1980s teen comedies, you will definitely enjoy "Lisa Frankenstein"

By no means am I saying that "Lisa Frankenstein" is the best film of the year or that it deserves countless awards No, there are certainly some weak and incredibly cringe-worthy moments, but that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining or not worth watching In fact, it is precisely these quirks that make the film lovable

When I first started watching it, I didn't know what to expect The idea of a high school girl sharing a romance with a Victorian-era corpse seemed ridiculous, and I wondered if it would be possible to pull off such a ridiculous premise in a flat manner To my surprise, the film not only pulls it off, but makes it an outrageously enjoyable experience

The chemistry between the characters really sold it for me Lisa, played with perfect awkwardness and sincerity, is someone you can't help but root for (even when she's chopping off body parts) Her undead lover is almost sweet in a way (even when he is stealing body parts), with his old-fashioned charm and confusion about modern life

Sure, there are moments when the film's tone and pacing get out of whack, but that's part of its charm The film embraces the ridiculousness of the concept and executes it

If you are looking for a sophisticated, award-winning story, do not watch "Lisa Frankenstein" This film is for those who just want to laugh and have fun while appreciating the creativity and humor that brought this quirky tale to life And even if horror is not your thing, there is enough comedy in this film to drown out the scary scenes (seriously, it's more funny than scary)

Critics and audiences alike are divided on this horror-comedy The rating on Rotten Tomatoes for "Lisa Frankenstein" is quite high at 52% with 200 critic reviews and 81% from viewers Having seen the film myself, I can assure you that it deserves a much higher rating

Sarah Michelle Fetters of Movie Freak says: "I laughed throughout, and even the goofily dismembered mayhem had a natural sweetness that kept me gripped" Meanwhile, Lee Monson of the AV Club said the film "could easily have been released in 1989 and won accolades among its contemporaries, but we were lucky enough to get the 2024 version, which is a much better film

Of course, low scores mean that there are some critics Adam Graham of the Detroit News commented on the film's poor pacing and ability to balance several tones, which I can agree with: in order to balance the dark and light humor elements, "Lisa Frankenstein" has to hit the right notes I can't settle down Lisa Frankenstein cannot settle on the right notes to balance the elements of dark and light humor Chris Hewitt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune didn't think the film in general worked: "It's an attempt at comedy and romance Neither of them worked"

Despite these criticisms, I truly believe that "Lisa Frankenstein" is a funny film Audiences have commented that the horror-comedy is "very underrated" and "one of the most creative films I've ever seen"

So if you're in the mood for lighthearted, nostalgic, and just plain silly fun, it's worth giving "Lisa Frankenstein" a chance Despite its jumble of underdeveloped ideas and inconsistent pacing, this horror-romcom offers a memorable and enjoyable experience that sets it apart from typical films

I'm still not convinced Check out the top 10 crime thriller shows on Prime Video We've also included three movies worth watching on Prime Video

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