The internet is officially on high alert for what might be the most “intense” movie of . While fans have been eagerly dissecting every frame of the trailer for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” since it debuted in September, Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir is now giving us a look behind the curtain – and it sounds absolutely wild.
Guðnadóttir, who already has an Academy Award under her belt for her haunting work on “Joker,” isn’t holding back about the vibe of this new Frankenstein reimagining. “It was a little bit nuts,” she laughed while discussing the project, which stars big names like Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley.
A ‘Very Punk and Very Romantic’ Vibe
So, what exactly can we expect from a Maggie Gyllenhaal monster flick? According to Guðnadóttir, the film is a total genre-bender. Set in s Chicago, the story follows Frankenstein (Bale) as he seeks help to create a companion, leading to the “monstrous birth” of a young woman.
“It’s a very layered world with lots of different things happening,” Guðnadóttir told Variety at the Zurich Film Festival. “There’s a love story, thriller and the monstrous birth of a woman. There’s lots of excitement and violence.”
But it’s the sound of the film that has social media buzzing. Guðnadóttir describes the score as a clash of worlds. “It was both very punk and very romantic, which made it kind of crazy. There’s screaming electric guitar AND an orchestra.”
Celebrating Complex Women
Guðnadóttir has become the go-to composer for “juicy,” complex female characters. From the internal power struggle of Lydia Tar to her upcoming work on Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda” starring Tessa Thompson, she is dedicated to matching female complexity with music.
“Throughout history, women were portrayed as a good princess or a bad witch. But they’re much more than that,” she explained. “She’s not just nice or resentful. She’s everything.”
This dedication to the “darker sides of human nature” is a theme she frequently revisits, having previously scored the harrowing HBO miniseries “Chernobyl.” However, she admits she sometimes struggles with the current state of the world, especially regarding women’s rights and the rise of hate speech online.
“I thought to myself: What difference does it make if I make music or not, when there’s so much hatred?” she admitted. “But the worst I can do is to stay silent. I have to continue using my voice.”
A Musical Homecoming
While “The Bride!” is set to be a cinematic event, Guðnadóttir is also making moves in her personal career. She recently released “Where to From,” her first solo album in a decade, and is preparing to hit the road for a small tour.
For fans who haven’t seen her perform live in years, this is a major moment. “I haven’t played a cello concert for nine years, almost to the day,” she said. “It was time to go back. Sitting in a room full of people, listening to music together… It’s so powerful.”
As we wait for “The Bride!” to hit theaters, one thing is certain: between the “screaming guitars” and Christian Bale’s transformation, this is one viral moment that will live up to the hype.
Are you excited for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s punk-rock Frankenstein? Let us know in the comments!
