The Gothic romance drama starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale hits theaters on March 6.
Christian Bale as Frank and Jessie Buckley as The Bride in ‘The Bride!’
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s The Bride! held its world premiere in London’s West End on Thursday night, and not long after the screening early reaction to the Warner Bros. film started to hit social media.
Those who attended the premiere praised Gyllenhaal’s ambition and risk taking and also star Jessie Buckley‘s performance. There was also praise for co-lead Christian Bale.
Gyllenhaal’s followup to her directorial debut The Lost Daughter, The Bride! is a brash and imaginative take on Mary Shelley’s classic story Frankenstein. Set in 1930s Chicago, the film centers on a lonesome monster, played by Bale, who recruits Dr. Euphronios to create a companion for himself. The two revive a murdered young woman and the titular bride played by Buckley is born. A cracked love story, the monster and his bride then embark on a killing spree, while being pursued by police.
As well as Shelley’s 1818 novel, the film draws inspiration from the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein. Gyllenhaal directs from her own screenplay and produces alongside Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman Keren.
The Bride! is something of a family affair with the cast including Maggie Gyllenhaal’s brother Jake and husband Peter Sarsgaard. The film also stars Annette Bening and Penelope Cruz.
The embargo for full critics reviews of The Bride! lifts on March 4. The film is released in theaters on March 6.
See a selection of early social media reaction to the film below.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s #TheBrideMovie swings BIG — ferocious, funny, chaotic, romantic and fueled by another knockout Jessie Buckley performance.
Buckley and Bale are a dream pairing because they’re both actors who fully commit and disappear into their roles. They bring a raw… pic.twitter.com/7Ji1TFRQMk
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) February 26, 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s #TheBride is wild, audacious, & dgaf if you like it. Buckley & Bale thrill in a movie that feels like what JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX desperately wished it was. Gyllenhaal’s script has a lot of threads it doesn’t weave in perfectly. unlike anything out there. pic.twitter.com/EtQCaUe1NJ
— Kristen Lopez (@kristenklopez) February 26, 2026
Adored #TheBride. One of the most electric movies I’ve seen in a while ⚡️ Funny, brutal, SO visually interesting and just… fucking cool. Jessie Buckley (wild, sensational) + Christian Bale (goofy, great) leave it all on the inky floor 🖤 Maggie Gyllenhaal is the real deal!!!!
— Amy West (@amywestyy) February 26, 2026
#TheBride is my kind of big swing storytelling. It rocks two ferocious and fearless lead performances from Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. (I’m also obsessed with the fact that The Bride! is hitting theaters in the midst of Hamnet’s awards season run. Seeing Buckley give every… pic.twitter.com/fPkqpzLyDk
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) February 27, 2026
Having watched The Bride, we can share that it’s a movie clearly made by someone who loves movies. The camera adores Jessie Buckley, who shines, and her character sweeps you off your feet into a lush, gothic romance that has one foot in reality and one in the world of the arcane.… pic.twitter.com/M4F13fyTgd
— Nerdist (@nerdist) February 26, 2026
THE BRIDE is a love letter to storytelling, science fiction, movies, and so much more. A breathtaking look at Frankenstein and his love and a truly brilliant performance from both Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. Maggie Gyllenhaal made something so special. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/S6SLGf4VlM
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) February 26, 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jessie Buckley built #TheBrideMovie in a lab to give me the movie of my dreams. A shrieking, brazen journey of an ungovernable woman and a man who wants her to burn it all down if it means feeling her warmth. I loved every second of it. pic.twitter.com/nfw6b6oipt
— BJ Colangelo (@bjcolangelo) February 26, 2026
The Bride! is a true work of art. The cinematography, costumes, hair & makeup all deserve praise, as do Jessie Buckley & Christian Bale’s performances. It’s packed with Bonnie & Clyde vibes & powerful messages. Listen up because this time, she has a lot to say. #TheBrideMovie pic.twitter.com/l2gvWp3mM1
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) February 27, 2026
