Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley Transform for Frankenstein's The Bride in Creepy Trailer, Release Set for 2026

Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley reveal an unrecognizable, chilling transformation in a first trailer for Frankenstein's The Bride!, with the release date set for March 6, 2026. Bale stars as the lead role of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster, while Buckley portrays his eerily devoted bride, as the pair flee authorities in a dark, stylized reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic story.

Set in 1930s Chicago, the film follows a lonely monster who asks Dr Euphronious, played by Annette Bening, to create a companion. The bride is born when the two revive a murdered young woman, and the ensuing relationship spirals into a romance underscored by murder and possession. The project is Maggie Gyllenhaal’s new adaptation of Shelley’s 1818 novel, with Peter Sarsgaard and Penélope Cruz also in the cast.

Reaction to the trailer has been mixed but largely enthusiastic among film fans. Some viewers praised the bold reimagining, with comments likening the duo to a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde and signaling strong anticipation for the film. Others expressed reservations, noting the sense of a sequel feel or invoking AI-related skepticism. Regardless of fan chatter, the trailer confirms a high-profile collaboration between Bale and Buckley, who previously shared screen history in The Dark Knight (2008).

The Bride marks a notable on-screen reunion for Bale and Buckley, escalating expectations for the project after years of behind-the-scenes development. Bale has previously discussed the extreme preparations required for the role, including shaving his head for the part and undergoing extensive makeup to transform into the iconic creature. Buckley’s preparation included striking period styling, with the trailer showcasing a distinctive gray-permed wig, heavy makeup, and a vintage wardrobe that amplifies the film’s eerie atmosphere. Filming has included night shoots in New York, where Buckley was seen harnessed for vertigo-inducing sequences as Bale navigated a waxy, scarred prosthetic look.

Maggie Gyllenhaal wrote, directed, and produced the adaptation, underscoring the project as a collaborative cinematic take on Shelley’s enduring narrative. The film’s setting in Prohibition-era Chicago provides a moody backdrop for the unlikely romance and the menacing pursuit that follows. The cast, including Sarsgaard and Cruz, adds depth to a film described as a blend of horror, romance, and crime drama. The official release date confirms a mid-2020s push for a horror-tinged period piece that aims to reinterpret the classic tale through a two-person dynamic pushed to the edge by a shared, dangerous world.

As trailers and stills circulate, industry watchers will be assessing whether the pairing of Bale and Buckley can sustain a feature-length arc built on intimate, violent chemistry and a haunting mood. The project’s reception will likely hinge on how effectively the film balances character-driven drama with the macabre, a trademark of Shelley’s enduring legacy. The Bride is expected to spark conversations about gender, monstrosity, and ownership of one’s fate within a stylized, noir-inflected Chicago setting, anchored by strong performances and a filmmaker-driven vision from Gyllenhaal.