Liza Soberano Get Lauded by American Film Critics for Hollywood Debut in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

The Filipina actress ‘stole every scene she’s in’ in the horror-comedy by Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody.

Our girl’s definitely killing it! Despite facing doubts and backlash when she decided to take a different path in the industry, Liza Soberano has shown that she’s more than capable of shaking things up in her career.

After snagging a part in Zelda Williams’ Lisa Frankenstein, the Filipina actress is getting major props for her portrayal of Kathryn Newton’s popular cheerleader stepsister, Taffy. For such fine acting, she was even called a scene-stealer by the American filmmaker Joe Russo.

Here’s Everything You Need to Know About ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Now showing in the Philippines, Lisa Frankenstein is a whimsical horror romantic comedy featuring Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies) and Cole Sprouse (Riverdale) in leading roles. This follows the story of the misunderstood teenage goth girl who grapples with adapting to her altered family dynamics following her mother’s demise and her father’s remarriage. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein, the movie reanimates a Victorian-era corpse and works to make him into a man of her dreams.

The film premiered in Los Angeles last February 6. There, the Filipina-American actress, accompanied by her fellow stars, graced the event in an elegant gothic-inspired tube dress paired with a flower-designed choker.

In Zelda Williams’ first feature film, the reception from critics has been varied. Nonetheless, Liza’s performance has stood out, garnering praise and congratulations from notable figures such as Heart Evangelista, Iza Calzado, Enrique Gil, and Janella Salvador.

Beyond the commendations she garnered from local celebrities, Liza has received acclaim from film critics, writers, and prominent figures in the United States. Brian Truitt of USA Today, in his review, singled out Liza as the ‘breakout gem’ of the film, praising her ‘scene-stealing verve’ in portraying the protective character Taffy embroiled in her shady business. Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson similarly emphasized Liza’s prowess as an ‘ace scene-stealer’ during her debut in the United States.

Katcy Stephan from Variety highlighted Liza’s standout performance, emphasizing her skill in delivering the best one-liners. As film critic Courtney Howard puts it: “Liza Soberano is ‘the’ breakthrough performer in #LisaFrankenstein. She’s who everyone will be talking about—and with good reason too. Looking forward to seeing her in more films.”

Despite being in a supporting role, Liza Soberano showcased her talent with substantial screen time in her Hollywood debut. While there are no official statements regarding Liza’s upcoming projects, her manager, James Reid, hinted that the actress had “projects in the pipeline” and that 2024 is going to be an exciting year for her.

What do you imagine Liza Soberano has up her sleeve for upcoming projects? Your guess is as good as ours, and the anticipation is through the roof! Meanwhile, make sure not to miss the fun and kilig. Lisa Frankenstein is now showing in cinemas!

^{Cover image credit: Liza Soberano}