Writer Diablo Cody is making a triumphant return to the horror genre with her upcoming film, “Lisa Frankenstein,” after weathering the storm of criticism that followed her 2009 cult classic, “Jennifer’s Body.” Cody, known for her success with “Juno,” faced a setback with her second horror venture, which was initially perceived as a failure in every aspect.

The 2009 horror flick, starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, struggled at the box office and faced harsh criticism from reviewers. However, over the years, the film has gained a devoted fan base, leading to a positive reappraisal and a respectable cult following. Despite this resurgence, Diablo Cody harbored hesitations about returning to the horror genre due to the initial disappointment surrounding “Jennifer’s Body.”

In an interview with TooFab while promoting her latest project, Diablo Cody revealed her internal struggle with returning to horror. She expressed, “For years I had had a hesitation about it. Because I knew that Jennifer’s body had been sort of perceived as a failure in every way.” However, the writer’s perspective shifted as the film found a new audience and began to be appreciated, giving her the confidence to explore the genre once again.

Diablo Cody’s return to horror comes in the form of “Lisa Frankenstein,” a comedy horror directed by Zelda Williams. The film, set in the ’80s and presenting a teen romcom take on the classic Frankenstein tale, has rekindled Diablo Cody’s excitement for the genre. Beyond the sheer enjoyment of the experience, she shared that the creative process of working with horror tropes again served as a healing journey for her, especially considering the uncertainty of ever getting another chance in this genre.

Director Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, expressed her immediate enthusiasm for turning Diablo Cody’s script into her first feature-length film. Williams highlighted the richness of character development in the script, describing it as a vibrant world that she was eager to approach. The combination of creativity and fantastical elements in the story resonated with Williams, marking the kind of adventurous journey she desires as a director.

The collaboration between Cody and Williams on “Lisa Frankenstein” holds a deeper connection as Zelda revealed that she had previously auditioned for a role in Cody’s breakout film, “Juno.” Diablo Cody, unaware of this connection until after the project wrapped, reflected on the audition log for “Juno,” which included many talented individuals who have gone on to achieve great success.

As the film industry eagerly anticipates the release of “Lisa Frankenstein” on February 9th, Cody’s journey from the perceived failure of “Jennifer’s Body” to the healing experience of writing a horror-comedy demonstrates the resilience and creativity of an artist who has found redemption in the genre she once doubted.