In Maggie Gyllenhaal’s highly anticipated Gothic romance film, ‘The Bride‘, Christian Bale plays Frankenstein’s monster. Set in the 1930s, the character commissions a groundbreaking scientist to create a companion for him, played by Jessie Buckley.
Those familiar with the lore know the creature’s dark tendencies stem from loneliness and an existential crisis. His volatile romance is laced with absolute dread and radical social change. But Bale believes he played a “worse monster” years ago, in a film that remains a major highlight of his career.
Christian Bale Thinks Frankenstein’s Monster Is “So Human”
While preparing for his role in ‘The Bride,’ Bale spent six grueling hours in the makeup chair. He often screamed to release pent-up frustration and maintain his sanity amid the prosthetic restraints. However, when ET asked him about portraying ‘monstrous‘ characters throughout his iconic acting career, Bale did not seem to hesitate.
He called Frankenstein’s creature one of the least monstrous roles ever created. In fact, he thinks of the character as human and wants to hug him. “He’s very innocent despite all of the child murders that he committed when he was a giant man-child,” Bale said with a chuckle, adding, “He’s become someone who is craving love desperately.” That’s what he finds in the “electric, authentic, and sincere” Bride.
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As for the way worse monsters he has portrayed on screen, Bale smirked: “I guess American Psycho I would start with, obviously.“
The comment may not come as a major surprise for anyone who has seen the 2000 Mary Harron-directed film. Instead, it landed like a perfectly timed axed swing.
Why This Choice Matters For ‘American Psycho’ Fans
As Maggie Gyllenhaal’s latest reimagining explores created monsters, Bale’s reflection underscores a timeless fear: the fact that the scariest monsters are not stitched from corpses, but instead are the ones wearing three-piece suits.
Unlike the visible bolts of Frankenstein’s monster, Patrick Bateman’s depravity walks undetected in boardrooms and restaurants.
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Christian Bale On The Next Patrick Bateman Movie
An official remake of ‘American Psycho’ is currently underway. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Bale chimed in about the project and the courage it would take for another actor to embody the unhinged Patrick Bateman on-screen.
“Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop. I loved making it with [director] Mary Harron so many years back, fantastic memories of it all,” he said. “Bold choice of anyone to try to do a — I don’t know if they’re doing a remake or what, I don’t know anything else about it. But all the best to ’em, I like brave people.”
Now, as ‘The Bride‘ unleashes its creature onto screens, Bale’s reflection reminds us why certain roles haunt longer after the credits roll. Literal monsters frighten us, and the ones who look just like us? Well, they terrify.
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