The first look at Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s new monster movie is here, and it is not your grandparents’ Frankenstein story. Warner Bros. just released the teaser trailer for The Bride!, giving fans a thrilling glimpse of Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley as a monstrous duo set against the gritty backdrop of 1930s Chicago. The trailer promises a film filled with dark romance, wild action, and a radical social movement, marking a bold new direction for the classic tale.
Following her acclaimed debut The Lost Daughter, Gyllenhaal’s ambitious project reimagines Mary Shelley’s timeless myth for a modern audience, blending horror, drama, and even musical elements. The trailer has quickly sparked excitement, suggesting this could be a unique and powerful cinematic event.
The Story Behind The Bride!
The film’s official story begins with a lonely Frankenstein’s monster, played by Christian Bale, who travels to 1930s Chicago. There, he seeks out a groundbreaking scientist, Dr. Euphronius, portrayed by Annette Bening. Together, they bring a murdered young woman back to life, creating the Bride. However, the woman they revive, played by Jessie Buckley, becomes far more than they ever planned.
What follows is a chaotic chain of events described in the film’s synopsis as “Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance.” The story seems to draw inspiration from outlaw love stories like Bonnie and Clyde, but with a monstrous, punk-rock twist. The Bride and Frankenstein are set on a path that ignites police interest and challenges the very fabric of their society.
A First Look at the Teaser Trailer
The newly released teaser trailer sets a dark and energetic tone. It opens with a striking shot of Jessie Buckley’s Bride, with platinum blonde hair, falling down a flight of stairs. She asks, “Was I just the same before the accident?” The scene then cuts to Christian Bale’s Frankenstein, who corrects her in a low, purposeful voice: “There wasn’t any accident. Everything we did, we did it on purpose. There is nothing left to do now…but live.”
The visuals are filled with Halloween-style orange and black tones, backed by a dark synth soundtrack that creates a tense, edgy atmosphere. The trailer boldly declares the film’s attitude with on-screen text that flashes: “Here comes the mother f— bride.” This preview confirms that Gyllenhaal is creating a genre-bending film that is a far cry from the quiet drama of The Lost Daughter, showcasing a movie of major scope and bold style.
The All-Star Cast and Crew
The Bride! brings together an incredible group of acclaimed actors and creators. Maggie Gyllenhaal not only directs but also wrote the screenplay and produced the film.
The cast is led by Jessie Buckley as the Bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein. They are joined by a powerful ensemble including Penélope Cruz as a character named Myrna, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening as Dr. Euphronius. The film also features Jake Gyllenhaal, the director’s brother, in a supporting role.
Behind the camera, the team is equally impressive. The cinematography is handled by Lawrence Sher, who previously worked on Joker. The music is composed by Oscar-winner Hildur Guðnadóttir, and the costumes are designed by Sandy Powell. This collaboration of top-tier talent suggests a film with a very distinct and high-quality visual and auditory identity.
From Netflix to Warner Bros.
The journey to bring The Bride! to the screen had a significant twist. The project was originally in development at Netflix. However, after the 2023 Hollywood strikes, the streaming giant reportedly left the project, partly due to creative differences, including Gyllenhaal’s desire to film in New York City while Netflix preferred the cheaper option of New Jersey.
Warner Bros. Pictures then stepped in to produce the film. The studio’s film chiefs, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, supported Gyllenhaal’s vision and agreed to foot the bill for the production, which has a budget of around $80 million. Gyllenhaal has praised the creative freedom granted to her by the Warner Bros. team. Principal photography began in New York City in March 2024.
A New Take on a Classic Monster
Gyllenhaal’s film draws its inspiration from two main sources: Mary Shelley’s original 1818 novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, and James Whale’s beloved 1935 film, Bride of Frankenstein. However, this is not a straight remake. By moving the setting to 1930s Chicago, the film seems to explore themes of creation, identity, and social rebellion in a fresh context.
Jessie Buckley herself hinted at the film’s rebellious spirit, describing it as “the punkest love that’s ever existed.” She compared the dynamic between the Bride and Frankenstein to iconic outlaw couples in films like Bonnie and Clyde and Wild at Heart.
When Can You See The Bride!?
Moviegoers will have to wait a bit longer to see the full story. The Bride! is scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide on March 6, 2026. The film will also be released in IMAX formats. This date was recently moved from an original October 2025 release slot.
This release will follow another major new interpretation of the Frankenstein story: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which is set to star Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth, and is scheduled for release in October 2025.
