Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the second trailer for The Bride, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s highly anticipated new directorial venture, and it promises a bold, bizarre, and thrilling reimagining of a horror classic. Set against the moody backdrop of 1930s Chicago, the film takes the familiar tale of Frankenstein and twists it into a punk-fueled romance packed with violence, rebellion, and dark desire.
The story follows a lonely Frankenstein’s monster, played by Christian Bale, who wanders into the city searching for connection and meaning. Desperate for companionship, he seeks out revolutionary scientist Dr. Euphronious, portrayed by Annette Bening. Together, they attempt the impossible — reviving a murdered young woman to create a bride for the monster. Their experiment succeeds, and Jessie Buckley’s Bride is brought to life.
But what begins as a scientific breakthrough quickly spirals into chaos. The newly created Bride becomes the center of a chain of shocking events involving murder, possession, and the rise of a radical underground movement. The monster and his bride evolve into outlaw lovers, igniting a volatile romance that shakes the social order and challenges morality itself. The trailer teases intense visuals, punk aesthetics, and emotionally charged performances, promising a film that is equal parts horror, romance, and cultural rebellion.
Adding to the film’s star power are Penelope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Peter Skarsgaard in significant supporting roles. Their presence further raises expectations for what is already shaping up to be one of the most daring reinterpretations of a classic monster story in recent years.
Unlike traditional retellings, The Bride draws inspiration from James Whale’s 1935 masterpiece Bride of Frankenstein but injects it with a modern, punk-rock sensibility reminiscent of a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style love story. The result appears to be a genre-blending spectacle that merges gothic horror with counterculture energy and emotional depth.
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs the film from her own screenplay and also serves as a producer alongside Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler, and Osnat Handelsman Keren. This marks her second directorial project following the critically acclaimed 2021 psychological drama The Lost Daughter, which earned her widespread recognition as a filmmaker with a distinctive voice.
With its striking cast, audacious vision, and reimagined mythology, The Bride is already drawing significant buzz ahead of release. The second trailer has only intensified curiosity, leaving audiences eager to witness this daring fusion of classic horror and punk rebellion.
The Bride is scheduled to hit cinemas worldwide on March 4, 2026.
