Frankenstein (2015 film)
| FRANKƐN5TƐ1N | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Bernard Rose |
| Produced by |
Christian Angermayer Gabriela Bacher Mohammed Hans Dastmaltchi Klemens Hallmann Elisa Lleras Jennifer Holliday Morrison Yasin Qureshi |
| Written by | Bernard Rose |
| Starring |
Carrie-Anne Moss Xavier Samuel Danny Huston Tony Todd |
| Music by | Halli Cauthery |
| Cinematography | Candace Higgins |
Production company |
Bad Badger Summerstorm Entertainment Eclectic Pictures |
| Distributed by | Alchemy[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Frankenstein (stylised as FRANKƐN5TƐ1N) is a 2015 updated adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, directed by Bernard Rose.
The film is told from the monster's point of view as he is created, escapes into the modern world and learns about the dark side of humanity.
Plot
Viktor Frankenstein (Danny Huston) and his wife, Marie (Carrie-Anne Moss), are scientists who bring to life Adam: a fully-grown, handsome, young man (Xavier Samuel) with the mind of an infant. Adam's cells fail to replicate correctly and he soon develops deformities on his face and body. Dr. Frankenstein attempts to euthanize his creation, but he is difficult to kill and abnormally strong.
Adam escapes into a nearby wilderness and lives by scavenging in the forest. He adopts a friendly stray dog, with whom he travels to the city. In a park he meets a little girl (Mckenna Grace) and they play a game of throwing sticks into a lake. Adam, still thinking it's a game, picks up the girl and throws her into the water as well. She starts to drown, so he jumps in and saves her. When he brings her to shore, however, two police men try to arrest him and shoot his barking dog. Adam assaults one officer and kills the other. A vigilante mob chases Adam down.
Adam is taken to a police station where he is put into a straitjacket. Almost completely non-verbal, he gives them Marie's ID badge. Marie is brought to the station and denies knowing Adam, effectively abandoning him.
Two vengeful policemen drive Adam to an empty lot and shoot him in the head. He awakes hours later and wanders until he meets a blind, homeless man named Eddie (Tony Todd). Recognizing a childlike soul, he kindly takes Adam under his wing. Adam's deformities worsen, but he continues to learn about the world and his ability to speak improves.
Some time later, Eddie convinces a friendly prostitute named Wanda (Maya Erskine) to take Adam to a hotel and have sex with him. After he emerges from the shower, Wanda realizes how extensive his deformities are and tries to leave. The distraught Adam snaps her neck while trying to make her stay. Eddie, having heard Wanda's screams, discovers her death and beats Adam with his cane. Adam ends up accidentally killing Eddie as well.
Feeling hopeless and angry, he uses Wanda's phone to guide him to the Frankensteins' residence. Along the way, Adam comes across the police officer who shot him in the head and he vengefully murders the officer.
When Adam arrives at the Frankensteins' luxurious home, he encounters Victor and Marie. At first Adam attacks Victor, but Marie calms him down, and she and Viktor show Adam his true origins. Adam is angry to learn that he was created and that Victor was already attempting to replace him. Viktor knocks down Adam as he is distracted and then attempts to decapitate him. When Marie tries to stop Viktor, he swings a saw and accidentally slices her neck open. Viktor flees and Marie quickly bleeds to death.
Adam takes Marie's body into the nearby woods. He solemnly builds a burning funeral pyre that he then carries her into. He then screams to the Heavens, "I AM ADAM!"
Cast
- Xavier Samuel as Monster/Adam
- Carrie-Anne Moss as Marie
- Danny Huston as Viktor Frankenstein
- Tony Todd as Eddie
- Mckenna Grace as the Girl
- Maya Erskine as Wanda
- Carol Anne Watts as Lopez
- James Lew as Hotel Manager
- Adam Nagaitis as Winthrop
- Mary Gallagher as Johnson
- John Lacy as Rubin
- Jorge Luis Pallo as Officer Lincoln
- Ron Roggé as Woodcock
- Julia Marcus as GPS (voice)
Release
The film premiered April 12, 2015 at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, followed by the Louisiana International Film Festival on May 9, 2015. The film was released on home video on February 23, 2016.[2]
Reception
PopMatters journalist J.C. Maçek III wrote "Frankenstein is surprising and overall manages to be a success. This is one of the most unique films based on Mary Shelley's masterpiece and potentially one of the most risky. With very few exceptions the risk pays off and Frankenstein manages to be smart and engrossing."[3]
References
- ↑ Deadline.com
- ↑ Videoeta.com
- ↑ Maçek III, J.C. (10 March 2016). "Bernard Rose's 'Frankenstein' Is a Tale of the Postmodern Prometheus". PopMatters.