This semester, I’m teaching Frankenstein again. To coincide with the novel, I always teach a few of the film adaptations, typically Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, directed by James Whale, and I’m also including The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, released this year, directed by Bomani J. Story. If you like the Frankenstein story, I highly recommend this latest take on it, staring a teenager, Vicaria (Layla DeLeon Hayes), who resurrects her brother, killed by gang violence. I caught the film initially at the Jim Thorpe International Film Festival, and I was surprised how fresh it felt, how relevant to 2023, for the way it dealt with issues of gang violence, familial bonds, and racial tension. There’s one classroom scene in particular that’s just harrowing. It was one of the toughest scenes I’ve seen all year.

If you want a full list of my favorite Frankenstein films, you can check out my list for 1428 Elm. One film on the list is Birth/Rebirth, also released this year. To learn more about the film, check out the list.

If you have a favorite Frankenstein adaptation, let me know!