Lisa Frankenstein Finally Dispenses With the Girl-on-Girl Treachery of Teen Movies

Photo: Focus Features

Lisa Frankenstein, the decadent directorial debut from Zelda Williams, centers on a misunderstood goth girl, portrayed by Kathryn Newton, navigating high school in the midst of a recent tragedy, her blossoming sexuality, and a few new family members. Oh! And through all this, she and her undead boyfriend (Cole Sprouse) find time to brutally murder those who've wronged her. You know, normal adolescent stuff that could only come from the delicious mind of Diablo Cody, the writer behind Juno and Jennifer's Body. 

Before their happily ever after though, we’re introduced to a slew of supporting characters, each of whom seem to fall neatly into the archetypes we’ve seen time and time again in teen-centric movies like this. All but one. 

When Liza Soberano appears on screen for the first time, hair coiffed and glowing in the haze of 80s nostalgia, you could be forgiven for thinking you know exactly who this person is and what her role will be in the story. 

From the outset, Taffy (Soberano) seems like the popular girl we’ve come to expect from the genre. The one who reels us in with a lip glossed grin, but who spits venom through her teeth as soon as our back is turned. In the opening moments of Lisa Frankenstein, she looks to be just that. 

Seconds after we’re introduced to her, Taffy quickly offers Lisa (Newton) some unsolicited advice. Nothing too sinister. Just a small quip about which shade of blush Lisa should or shouldn’t coat her cheeks with for a night of beer-filled bliss in someone’s parents’ backyard. 

If you grew up watching Mean Girls, Regina George's infamous line, “Oh my god, I love your bracelet! Where did you get it?” may come to mind as Taffy buzzes around Lisa in the bathroom mirror. 

At the party later, Lisa stumbles through an awkward, but ultimately endearing chat with the prototypical hot boy (Henry Eikenberry) whom she has a deep and abiding crush on. As the scene plays out, our perspective shifts to Taffy’s clique. They watch on, wondering out loud why Lisa is the way she is.

In a truly brilliant line delivery from Soberano, Taffy informs the group that she can’t disclose any information due to personal and legal reasons, and also because she “pinky swore.” This is promptly followed by a “but,” and a handy exposition dump about Lisa’s past. 

To us, she’s a classic. The cheerleader who is in equal parts manipulative and ditzy, and who’ll probably die by the second act. For long stretches of the movie, I anticipated the ways Taffy would transition from attentive and sweet step-sister to traitor. However, the film’s trick is that Taffy isn’t the Heather Chandler of this tale. Sure, there are brief moments of girls gossiping through gum pops and hair twirling, but by the time the credits roll, we understand that Taffy is well-meaning and genuine in her concern for Lisa. Even in her one moment of weakness toward the end of the film, we feel sympathy for Taffy rather than betrayal.

The twist is a refreshing one. A nice respite for women who are used to female characters from the early aughts. I’m talking about Lucy and the Six Chicks in 13 Going on 30 or Lana and the Lanettes from The Princess Diaries. Did the latter perform an outstanding cover of “Stupid Cupid?” Yes, it’s a core memory! Except that right after that they "play nice" to lure Mia into a paparazzi/changing room trap on the beach, and I’ll never forget where I was for that. 

Are teen movies advancing or was this just a taffeta-ed one-off?