Frankenstein-a-thon: Revisiting the Desire to Defeat Death
It's Alive! It's A-lot of movies!
Earlier this year, I unintentionally watched a few Frankenstein-inspired movies in quick succession and had a hell of a good time. First I watched Birth/Rebirth (2023) and then shortly after I watched both Poor Things (2023) and Lisa Frankenstein (2024). By the time I watched Lisa Frankenstein, I noticed that I was having a bit of a Frankenstein marathon! I had also added The Angry Black Girl and her Monster (2023) to my list and was planning to watch it soon. I love a good marathon and that part of my brain started to itch.
While thinking about these movies and their respective takes on the Frankenstein concept, I realized I hadn’t actually seen very many of them! I’m familiar with the story, have seen clips of various Frankenstein adaptations, and have seen a few movies that are pretty loosely inspired by Frankenstein like Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and The Lazarus Effect (2015). I watched Penny Dreadful (2014-2016) as well, which included a Frankenstein plotline. But I hadn’t seen any actual Frankenstein adaptations. I also obviously admire the mother of science fiction and goth queen Mary Shelley. I’ve been curious to watch more classic films in horror but have only watched a few here and there — so, I’m going to dive into the world of Frankenstein and see what I find!
I already started by watching Frankenstein (1931) and reading the book itself for some context. I’ll be discussing how the other films line up with not only the book, but some of the tropes and conventions established in Frankenstein (1931). I’ll be watching the following Frankenstein films for the Frankenstein-a-thon. I’ll probably find more along the way, but this is the list right now!
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)
Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)
Blackenstein (1973)
Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)
The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
The Bride (1985)
Frankenhooker (1990)
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
I, Frankenstein (2014)
Frankenstein (2015)
A Nightmare Wakes (2020)
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)
I’m intrigued to spend time with stories about confronting and attempting to overcome death. How does the image of “other” change throughout these movies, particularly as it moved through the decades? How do these stories align with or subvert the original Frankenstein story? And how will watching these stories of death, creation, and science feel when we’re confronted with images of death daily, whether from the ongoing covid pandemic that’s being largely ignored by the U.S. government, rampant gun violence, increasing hate crimes, and multiple genocides. I think there is a reason-or maybe multiple reasons-why I feel so drawn to Frankenstein stories right now and I’m excited to dig into that.
If you’re reading this and feeling intrigued by Frankenstein stories yourself, watch along with me! There are also so many literary adaptations of Frankenstein — my friend over at Fat Femme Book Club recommended that I check out Noah Medlock’s A Botanical Daughter and I’ve been enjoying it so far! It’s a gay fungi-fueled Frankenstein that seems very interesting. I just finished the dark novella The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw and was surprised to find a Frankenstein element to the story. The universe obviously wants me to hyperfocus on Frankenstein and who am I to ignore such clear signs! I’m also not the only one struck-by inspiration, not lightening. A writer and creater I recently came across, Keisha aka
, is reading and watching LOTS of Frankenstein literary and film adaptations. It seems like the Frankenstein obsession is in the air! Follow her for her book reviews—especially if you’re into Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thrillers, and speculative fiction. But if you’re here, I imagine that you do!Next up: my reviews of Frankenstein (1931), Birth/Rebirth (2023), Poor Things (2023), and Lisa Frankenstein (2024). I’m going to be watching adaptations mostly in the order that they came out as I move forward, but I’m sure there will be exceptions. Is there a Frankenstein film adaptation or a Frankenstein-inspired movie you think I should include? Leave a comment! In the meantime, watch out for lightening strikes and scary doctors!
-K <3
Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing my project! This is such a dope list so I’ll be watching them all!😊🥰
Hell yeah!! I’m looking forward to seeing which books you explore too! 🥰🥰