The Bride of Frankenstein: Then vs. Now

The Frankenstein creative universe spans across centuries since the initial book was written in the 1810s by Mary Shelley. The character of The Bride was first seen in the original novel, when Dr. Frankenstein begins to make The Monster a companion but decides to destroy her before she is even brought to life. Ever since then, various adaptations of the character have emerged. The most iconic one is in James Whale’s 1935 movie Bride of Frankenstein, where Dr. Frankenstein finally agrees to bring to life a companion for his creature. The Bride is only on-screen for mere minutes, but the image of Elsa Lanchester in her white gown and iconic frazzled hair with white streaks running up the sides has had an everlasting impact on pop culture

91 years later, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! debuted in theaters earlier this month, and it is receiving both praise and criticism from fans of Shelley’s work. Gyllenhaal’s version is a modern reimagination of the 1935 film, aiming to give The Bride (played by Jessie Buckley) more of a (literal) voice and autonomy.

Here are the main ways in which both movies differ. There may be some mild spoilers as we discuss both films, so please be warned!

Time On Screen

The most notable difference is how much screen time The Bride has in each film. In Whale’s film, the Bride only appears in the last 5 minutes. Her iconic look and horrific scream were enough to turn her into a memorable character, even though she barely had enough time to exist. In Gyllenhaal's film, The Bride is the main protagonist. Rather than focusing on the process of her creation, the film focuses more on her experience coming into existence and discovering who she was before her resuscitation, often referred to in the movie as “the accident”.

Mary Shelley as a Character

In the 1935 version, Mary Shelley herself (also played by Elsa Lanchester) appears as a character talking to her husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron about her book’s abrupt ending, and says that wasn’t the end of the story. She is elegant and mysterious and acts as a narrator before disappearing into the film. Casting the same actress as The Bride suggests some kind of parallel between the author and the creature. In the 2026 version, this implication is taken a step further and more literally. Mary Shelley is much more rebellious, expressing that this is the story she wanted to tell but couldn’t, and her spirit possesses The Bride, embellishing the parallel suggested by the earlier film.

Romance and Autonomy

When The Bride is brought to life in the 1935 film, she immediately rejects becoming The Monster’s companion by screaming and pushing herself away from him. In the 2026 film, their relationship is more similar to that of Bonnie and Clyde. They become almost as powerful as Dr. Frankenstein feared in the original novel, with The Bride becoming the symbol of a rebellion as they run from their crimes. In this version, there is a romantic connection between The Monster (played by Christian Bale) and The Bride, although she is able to exert her autonomy and chooses not to marry him.

Since its release, The Bride! has sparked some debate. Some critics argue that the film leans too superficially into modern ideas of rebellion and autonomy, while others suggest that the film brings interesting new ideas to the Frankenstein universe. By centering The Bride and exploring her identity, the story asks questions about creation, power, and freedom that have always been present in Mary Shelley’s original work. Whether audiences love it or not, Gyllenhaal’s reinterpretation proves that The Bride remains a fascinating character with each generation of storytellers.

The Bride! is in theatres now, and you can stream Bride of Frankenstein on HBO Max.