Subscribers of HBO Max can now enjoy Warner Bros.’ latest gothic romance film featuring Academy Award winner Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (Spider-Man: Far From Home). Today, the 2026 Frankenstein-inspired The Bride! is officially available for streaming on HBO Max. An ASL version of the film will also be released, performed by ASL Dubber Yamila Davis and directed by Rosa Lee Timm.
What do we know about Christian Bale & Jake Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein movie?
The Bride! draws inspiration from the classic 1935 monster film Bride of Frankenstein, which is based on Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 novel. Bale takes on the role of Frank, while Gyllenhaal plays a famous Hollywood actor named Ronnie Reed. The cast also features Jessie Buckley as the titular character, Annette Bening as Dr. Cornelia Euphronious, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard as Jake Wiles, John Magaro as Clyde, and Julianne Hough as Iris/Jinx, among others.
The official synopsis states, “A lonely ‘Frank’ travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman, and The Bride is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!”
The movie was both written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Upon its debut last March, it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. With a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie’s Popcornmeter stands slightly higher at 70%. Despite its impressive cast, it performed poorly at the box office, grossing only around $24 million against a reported budget of $80-90 million.
