Maggie Gyllenhaal’s highly anticipated film The Bride!, starring Jessie Buckley and Jake Gyllenhaal, is set to premiere on March 6, 2026, in IMAX theaters. This fresh adaptation revisits the classic Frankenstein story with a modern twist, centering on Buckley’s character as she reclaims her identity amid turmoil, romance, and mystery, highlighting key themes of power and self-discovery.
Overview of The Bride! and Its Unique Take on Frankenstein
The Bride! draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel and the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, blending these classics with Maggie Gyllenhaal’s distinctive vision. The storyline follows Christian Bale’s character, Frankenstein, as he partners with Annette Bening’s Dr. Euphronius to bring a murdered woman back to life. Jessie Buckley portrays this woman, now revived as the Bride, who embarks on a passionate and chaotic journey through 1930s Chicago.
The restored Bride faces opposition from a detective played by Peter Sarsgaard, a charismatic movie star portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, and a skeptical public that brands them as monsters. Unlike previous versions, this film emphasizes the Bride’s struggle with her identity and autonomy, as Maggie Gyllenhaal reshapes the character with deeper emotional complexity and agency.
In this iteration, Buckley’s character prefers to be called simply “the Bride” rather than “Bride of Frankenstein,” underlining a purposeful departure from traditional portrayals. The film explores her formidable power, desires, and fears—traits that were largely unexplored in earlier adaptations where the Bride was silent.
The Driving Force Behind Buckley’s Character and Her Quest for Identity
Maggie Gyllenhaal has explained that Jessie Buckley’s Bride is
“somebody who, in her life, was not able to get herself expressed before she dies,”
but returns
“as someone with a lot to say.”
The trailer reveals that the Bride grapples with amnesia and a need to answer the fundamental question: “Who am I?” This inner turmoil fuels much of the film’s intense drama and emotional depth.
Why Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale Were Chosen for These Roles
From the outset, Maggie Gyllenhaal knew that Jessie Buckley was the only actress capable of portraying the Bride because of her remarkable ability to embody the full spectrum of the character’s emotional complexity. Having previously collaborated on Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, the director was well acquainted with Buckley’s skill at melding strength and vulnerability.
“I really still don’t know who else could have played this part. I think it’s to do with [Buckley’s] wisdom in knowing that every human being holds the whole spectrum of feelings, so fierce and powerful. And right to that is the deepest vulnerability. So smart, also totally irrational, sexy, and also sometimes ugly. All of it, put together, makes a person. And I thnk that what’s so extraordinary about her as an actress is that she really allows all of those things to be a part of the work. And so because of that, I think it means that many, many people then can relate to what she’s doing. And the Bride, the part that I was asking her to play, needs all of that in order to work.”
—Maggie Gyllenhaal, Writer-Director
Christian Bale was chosen to portray Frankenstein not only because of his acclaimed acting talent but also due to the unique dynamic he shares with Buckley. The director describes their relationship as a “real deep and special connection,” which was crucial for portraying the complicated bond between Frankenstein and the Bride.
“[Christian] and Jessie had such a real deep and special connection. That’s the thing you can’t anticipate, except that I believe that there are a lot of very good actors, and I think there are a tiny handful of brilliant ones, and those two are brilliant ones… part of the skill of being a brilliant actor is being able to walk up to someone and hand them your heart.
And Christian, listen, I just dreamed big, right? I was like, ‘Okay, I wrote this part. I’m just going to ask whoever I want.’ What’s the worst thing that happens? They tell you no. Can I tolerate being told no? Yeah, I think I can. So I just let my mind wander to ‘Who is Frankenstein? Who is my Frankenstein?’ My Frankenstein is, I really pulled from the book in some ways, in that Frank is in the book is like, he’s so feeling, he’s so vulnerable. He’s so full of need and hunger, and he’s also so smart. I mean Frankenstein in the book just hangs out in a barn and listens to people and learns French. That’s hard to do. And so I needed somebody with all of those characteristics and also tough. Also, he does some f***ed up stuff, this monster, as monsters do. And as, I would say, we all do. So I needed someone that could hold all of that… and be able to hold the monstrous in a way that lets us look at it and go, ‘Yeah, okay, I don’t bash people’s heads personally, but there’s parts of me that have that kind of rage.'”
—Maggie Gyllenhaal, Writer-Director
Family Ties Among the Cast Add Layers to the Production
Maggie Gyllenhaal also discussed the involvement of her family members in The Bride!. Peter Sarsgaard, her husband, was cast as a detective named Wiles—a role blending dark complexity and heroic aspects. Meanwhile, Jake Gyllenhaal stepped into the role of a movie star, marking the first time the siblings have appeared together on screen since their 2001 film Donnie Darko.
“Let’s talk about the people I know. My husband and my brother. I just knew I wanted [Peter Sarsgaard’s character] Wiles to be super, super hot, so I had to ask my own husband [laughing]. No, I think Wiles is a character who you’ll see is both very… he’s done some dark things and is also a hero. And I thought Peter’s really good at that.
And with my brother, I will say he was one of the very, very last people I asked. And he plays a character who is a matinée idol in movies – so, in order to create those old movies that he’s in that are sometimes within the movie, it was a lot of work for him. And I asked him at the very last minute because I wanted to make sure it was right for our relationship. And I spent a lot of time thinking about it, and I came to realize, ‘No, it absolutely was.’ And I haven’t worked with him since Donnie Darko, which I was 20 or something. And it was such a pleasure working with my brother. I would find myself laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face. I loved it. It is true for all my actors, but, of course, there’s a special something with my own brother.”
—Maggie Gyllenhaal, Writer-Director
The director noted that Penélope Cruz brings a fresh presence to the film as Myrna, a role that fluctuates between screwball comedy and deeply emotional contemporary scenes. Maggie Gyllenhaal expressed excitement over working with Cruz in this novel context, as well as with Annette Bening, who portrays the unconventional and brilliant Dr. Euphronius.
“never seen her do anything like this.”
—Maggie Gyllenhaal, Writer-Director
“sometimes in a screwball comedy and sometimes in the realest, most contemporary scenes… But there was a real ease in putting that together and asking her.”
—Maggie Gyllenhaal, Writer-Director
Anticipating The Bride!’s Premiere and Potential Impact
As excitement builds for the film’s IMAX debut, The Bride! promises to challenge longstanding portrayals of Frankenstein’s Bride by spotlighting her voice and autonomy. The film’s punk, Bonnie and Clyde-inspired atmosphere and reimagined characters suggest a gripping, urgent narrative that both honors and reinvents the classic monster story.
With an ensemble cast including Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Annette Bening, Penélope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Peter Sarsgaard, the project is not only a tribute to cinematic history but also a fresh exploration of identity, power, and rebellion. Its themes and performances may spark conversations about female agency in genre films and bring a renewed cultural interest in the Frankenstein mythos.
Principal Cast and Their Roles in The Bride!
- Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s Monster
- Jessie Buckley as The Bride
- Annette Bening as Dr. Euphronius
- Penélope Cruz as Myrna
- Peter Sarsgaard as Detective Wiles
- Jake Gyllenhaal as a Movie Star
