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Liza Soberano Gets Glowing Reviews from Hollywood’s Biggest Critics for ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Liza Soberano Gets Glowing Reviews from Hollywood’s Biggest Critics for ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Feb 8, 2024   •   Edgardo Toledo

After actress Liza Soberano announced that she’s part of Lisa Frankenstein alongside Kathryn Newton (Lisa Swallows) and Cole Sprouse (The Creature), people have been curious to see how she’ll play the role of Taffy (Lisa’s step-sister). But if the reviews of her performance are anything to go by, it seems the 26-year-old star has made a good impression.

 

Nothing but love for Liza and Taffy

The long wait is finally over! Horror rom-com Lisa Frankenstein is out, and despite the mixed reviews the film is receiving, Liza is earning a streak of positive reviews for her Hollywood big-screen debut. Read on what some movie critics have to say:

 

“The breakout star and true discovery… is Soberano.”
– Zelda Williams, Los Angeles Times

"But the breakout star and true discovery of “Lisa Frankenstein” is Soberano, who has a real gift for imbuing Cody’s famously clever and convoluted dialogue with a sincerity that elevates the character beyond an ironic archetype as she morphs from mean teen to scream queen. In fact, Soberano might be too good in the role — she’s so charming and sympathetic that there’s an emotional domino effect that exposes some problems with the script."
Screenshot from Los Angeles Times

 

“Soberano, as Taffy delivers her lines with a humor that, whether by design or by accident, adds a quirky charm to the story.”
– Valerie Complex, Deadline

Also, Newton and Soberano shine in their comedic roles. Newton as Lisa skillfully employs a range of facial expressions and physical movements to convey sarcasm and humor because, as an actress, she understands comedy and timing. Soberano, as Taffy delivers her lines with a humor that, whether by design or by accident, adds a quirky charm to the story. Her portrayal injects a dose of levity, highlighting the film’s campy sensibilities amidst its darker moments.
Screenshot from Deadline

 

“Soberano, a star in her native Philippines making her Stateside debut, is an ace scene stealer.”
– Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair

Or they’ll crush instead on the lit mag boy, played with “I just got signed by Ford Models” swagger by Henry Eikenberry. Or they might, as I did, spend much of the movie wishing it instead focused on Lisa’s stepsister, the sweet and chipper Taffy (Liza Soberano), a pert foil for all of Lisa’s increasingly mannered quirk. Cody does a good job of rounding out a stock character’s dimensions—Taffy has a tartness, an edge that makes her more fully human than she might be in a lesser writer’s hands. Or in a lesser actor’s. Soberano, a star in her native Philippines making her Stateside debut, is an ace scene stealer.
Screenshot from Vanity Fair

 

“The brightest light in these dismal proceedings might be Liza Soberano’s Taffy…”
– Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

Cole Sprouse is game but barely recognizable as Lisa’s zombie in the friend zone; Carla Gugino brings brittle jitteriness to a thankless role as Lisa’s emotionally abusive stepmother; the brightest light in these dismal proceedings might be Liza Soberano’s Taffy, whose character delivers disarmingly sincere comeuppance to clichéd tropes of vapid beauty queens and mean-girl cheerleaders.
Screenshot from The Washington Post

 

“Soberano is already a star in the Philippines, but this role is a memorable Hollywood debut.”
– Dylan Roth, Observer

Cole Sprouse is at the center of the movie’s gross-out slapstick and makes a solid comic foil for Newton, but the real second lead of the film is Liza Soberano as Lisa’s stepsister Taffy. Where an actual 1989 comedy about a high school outcast would probably frame the popular cheerleader as her vain and vapid opposite, Taffy is the heart of the movie. She’s Lisa’s advocate, whether Lisa acknowledges it or not. It’s through her that Lisa Frankenstein’s loving satire of Gen-X angst, which often conflated “too cool for school” callousness with maturity and wisdom, becomes most pointed. Taffy rules, and she’s the movie’s punching bag because that’s her role in a story about a quirky teenage girl who wears black and listens to the Cure. Meanwhile, every one of the incredible alt-girl looks that Lisa rocks during her awakening are actually requisitioned from Taffy’s closet. Soberano is already a star in the Philippines, but this role is a memorable Hollywood debut.
Screenshot from Observer

 

“Soberano puts a refreshing spin on her, giving her real depth and scene-stealing moments.”
– Taylor Gates, Collider

Soberano is the perfect foil for Newton. She’s been thriving in Filipino cinema for years, and it’s not hard to see why. Her comedic timing and delivery are phenomenal, and she’s able to bring vulnerability and sincerity to every scene, even when the material she has to say would look completely out-of-pocket and callous on paper. The sisterhood between Lisa and Taffy is a highlight of the film, running the gambit from sibling rivalry to forming an unexpected but affecting bond. In lesser hands, Taffy could be a stereotype — a one-dimensional character we’ve seen hundreds of times — but Soberano puts a refreshing spin on her, giving her real depth and scene-stealing moments.
Screenshot from Collider

 

“She finds comedy in a weak script and radiates goodness without being boring.”
– Mick LaSalle, Datebook

The only thing to take from the wreckage of “Lisa Frankenstein” is the performance of Soberano, in her Hollywood debut. She finds comedy in a weak script and radiates goodness without being boring. Let’s hope she has better movies in her future.
Screenshot from Datebook

 

 

Pinoys can’t help but feel proud of Liza

It’s no secret that 2023 wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Liza after all the unwarranted bashing she received for voicing her thoughts about our Pinoy entertainment scene. Many Pinoys are happy to see her fulfill her Hollywood dreams, one role at a time.

People also pointed out that Liza getting positive reviews from Hollywood movie critics is already a feat in itself, considering they’re known for being unapologetic with their write-ups.

“American critics can be ruthless so to be praised across the board for your performance and be called “a star”, “MVP”, or “the next big thing” is huge!” One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

And of course, more Pinoys are looking forward to seeing her get more Hollywood projects.

“Grabe, puring-puri ng critics si Liza Soberano. Sana mabigyan pa s’ya ng mas magaganda pang roles,” Another X user said.

Lisa Frankenstein premiered in Philippine cinemas on February 7, 2024.

 

Have you watched Lisa Frankenstein yet?


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Edgardo loves to write. When he's not busy staring at a blank document, you can find him drawing illustrations or eating fried chicken.

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