Pop Culture Happy Hour The Bride! and What's Making Us Happy
14 snips
Mar 6, 2026 Joelle Monique, filmmaker and pop culture critic, shares film reactions and reading picks. Barry Hardiman, NPR investigations editor, offers film commentary and book recommendations. They dive into Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride, praise Jessie Buckley’s performance, debate the film’s messy-yet-delightful tone, compare cinematic influences, and highlight choreography, feminist retelling, and standout cast moments.
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Frankenstein Reimagined As Identity Tale
- The Bride uses Frankenstein, his monster, and Mary Shelley as characters to explore identity and origin story rather than just horror tropes.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal stages a gory, gothic romance with Jessie Buckley in three roles and Christian Bale's erudite monster to center the bride's pursuit of self.
Big Performances Meet Overt Feminism
- Joelle Monique praises the film's exuberant performances and unabashed feminist messaging delivered through horror conventions.
- She describes audiences whooped and hollered like at a Marvel movie, enjoying over-the-top, celebratory acting from the leads.
Unexpected Fan Born From Visual Pastiches
- Barry Hardiman went in with no expectations and found visual references and Jessie Buckley's tender pathos intoxicating.
- She left wanting to rewatch favorites like Bonnie and Clyde because the film's visuals and pastiche felt like a cinephile feast.
