Maggie Gyllenhaal is returning to the director’s chair with The Bride!, an ambitious gothic film that reimagines one of the most enduring myths in literary and cinematic history. If you were in your high school literature class, you’re surely aware of everything Frankenstein-related and author Mary Shelley, but this isn’t the same tale we read in […]
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Maggie Gyllenhaal is returning to the director’s chair with The Bride!, an ambitious gothic film that reimagines one of the most enduring myths in literary and cinematic history. If you were in your high school literature class, you’re surely aware of everything Frankenstein-related and author Mary Shelley, but this isn’t the same tale we read in class. Written, produced, and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film draws inspiration from the 1935 classic film Bride of Frankenstein directed by James Whale—itself an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus—but reframes the story through a distinctly modern lens.
Set against the shadowy backdrop of 1930s Chicago, The Bride! blends romance, crime, and social upheaval, pairing monster-movie mythology with Gyllenhaal’s knack for psychologically rich storytelling. With a stacked cast led by Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, the film is already shaping up to be one of 2026’s most talked-about releases.
Below, find out everything there is to know ahead of the release, including plot details and cast.
The Bride! Cast
The ensemble cast is as prestige-heavy as it gets, bringing together longtime collaborators, Oscar nominees, and unexpected pairings:
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Jessie Buckley as the Bride
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Christian Bale as Frank (Monster)
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Peter Sarsgaard as Jake Wiles
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Annette Bening as Dr. Euphronious
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Jake Gyllenhaal as Ronnie Reed
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Penélope Cruz as Myrna Mallow
Supporting roles are filled by Julianne Hough, John Magaro, Jeannie Berlin as Greta, Linda Emond, Louis Cancelmi, Matthew Maher, and Zlatko Burić, rounding out a cast that suggests the film’s world will be as layered as its central myth.
The Bride! Plot
Set in 1930s Chicago, The Bride! centers on Frankenstein’s monster, who turns to Dr. Euphronius with a desperate request: to create a companion so he is no longer alone. Together, they resurrect a murdered woman—reborn as “the Bride.”
What follows is not just a love story, but a catalyst. The Bride’s existence sparks romance, draws the attention of law enforcement, and triggers a wave of radical social change, positioning her as both a mythic figure and a disruptive force within a rigid, morally charged society. True to Gyllenhaal’s sensibilities, the film appears less interested in traditional monster tropes and more focused on autonomy, identity, and what it means to be created—rather than born—into the world.
The Bride! Release Date
The Bride! is scheduled for theatrical release on March 6.
With its prestige cast, literary roots, and bold reinterpretation of a classic tale, the film is already poised to be a major awards-season contender and one of the most intriguing gothic releases of the year, following the hype around Netflix’s Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi, in 2025.
