Best Gravity Commons Podcasts (2025)

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Beth Allison Barr: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry 1:06:20

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3d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

As a pastor's wife for twenty-five years, Beth Allison Barr has lived with assumptions about what she should do and who she should be. We talked with her about her book Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry, where she draws on that experience and her academic expertise to trace the history of the…

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Will Harrison Jr.: Disability Justice and Advocacy 1:04:41

8d ago1:04:41

1:04:41

We talked with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Will Harrison, Jr. about living with Moebius Syndrome, a rare disability that affects his facial expressions and speech, and about what he has learned at the intersection of disability, faith, and deconstruction. Will reflects on his upbringing in a Southern Baptist church, the challenges he faced in p…

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Regina Cates: A Call to Brave and Thoughtful Conversations 35:30

15d ago35:30

35:30

We talked with author and activist Regina Cates about how to have brave and thoughtful conversations about difficult topics like sexual abuse, racism, religious and political corruption, abortion, and sexual orientation. Her book The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have is part memoir, part social commentary, and part call to action, and it inv…

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Isaac Villegas: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice 48:06

22d ago48:06

48:06

We talked with pastor and author Isaac Villegas about his on-the-ground justice activism for immigrants. His book Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice cuts a new path through worn-out talking points and bears witness to loving solidarity among Christians--both with and without US citizenship--and offers a theologically astute and p…

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Until Dawn: Slasher Summer Fun 1:04:08

28d ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Until Dawn is a wild time-loop slasher film inspired by the game. Ghouls invite their good friend and fellow gamer, June Bethea to talk about the ways the film exceeded their expectations and where it needed work. Perhaps this film could've been called literally anything else? We discuss the director's short film successes and our favorite parts ab…

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Marc Alan Schelske: Journaling for Spiritual Growth, Part 2 58:20

29d ago58:20

58:20

Marc Alan Schelske joins us once again to talk (once again) about journaling: what it is, why it works, and how to do it in a way that facilitates spiritual growth. Marc also shared personally and vulnerably about his own spiritual journey. No matter what your history is with journaling, Marc's method (outlined in his recently re-released book Jour…

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Benjamin Perry: Why Weeping is an Essential Part of Being Human 45:42

1M ago45:42

45:42

We talked with Presbyterian minister and author Benjamin Perry about what happens to us when we cry... and when we don't. Weeping often opens a door to connection and transformation, but many of us have been taught to suppress our emotions and hide our tears. Benjamin's book Learning to Cry: Why Our Tears Matter is the result of an experiment he un…

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Clown in a Cornfield: Slasher Summer is Here 52:31

1M ago52:31

52:31

With delightfully absurd gore and entertaining banter, Clown in a Cornfield, is a fun summertime slasher. It offers a pleasant, somewhat unexpected twist, some truly bizarre characters and as always beloved in the slasher genre, teen angst.

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Anger: the Good, the Bad, and the Complicated In-Between 59:20

1M ago59:20

59:20

In this episode of the Gravity Commons podcast, we explore the complexities of anger as an emotion, discussing its role in personal relationships, power dynamics, and social justice. We reflect on personal experiences with anger, the importance of navigating it with compassion, and the implications of policing anger in various contexts. Our convers…

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Rick Pidcock: How Anger (Dys-)Functions in Christian Leadership 1:18:54

2M ago1:18:54

1:18:54

We talked with Rick Pidcock about the role of anger in an allegation of abuse he wrote about in a progressive Christian organization, the need for self-awareness and humility, how social location affects how anger works, and the need to reform harmful hierarchies. Rick Pidcock writes for Baptist News Global. He has a master of arts degree in worshi…

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Could Black Mirror's Joan is Awful Happen to You? 1:05:33

2M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Black Mirror’s Joan is Awful is a cautionary tale of our dangerous future in the shadow of hyper-surveillance, deep-fakes, and AI ownership. Joan is Awful explores the horrors of accepting shady terms and conditions. The Ghouls unpack the ways that AI and Data Mining are horrifying even now.

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Christy Penley: What to Do With Anger as a Disciple of Jesus 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

Anger is a wily beast: easily misused, often harmful, yet also sometimes holy and good. Over the coming weeks, we'll be examining anger and the cost and benefits of being more acquainted with our anger and the anger in the world. In this episode, Christy Penley talks us through how anger could be a flag that's waving itself as an opportunity to gro…

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Paul Penley: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus' Message 1:22:02

2M ago1:22:02

1:22:02

We talked with Dr. Paul Penley (yes, Christy's husband!) about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don't realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don't have immediate access to. Paul's book What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message helps us understand that Jesus was…

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Black Mirror’s Common People: Life Behind a Paywall 1:04:20

2M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Common People is a particularly heartbreaking episode as it feels so much like our lives now. A sharp criticism of our healthcare system, subscription services, and capitalism, Common People pulls no punches despite being housed on the predatory subscription system, Netflix.

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Jason Hague & Catherine McNiel: Working Through a "Mid-faith Crisis" 35:52

2M ago35:52

35:52

Many of us embarked on our spiritual journeys filled with hope and certainty, only to find ourselves questioning the very foundation of our beliefs as life unfolded. The faith that once seemed unshakeable may falter in the face of broken trust, unanswered prayers, and the harsh realities of worldly suffering. But Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague - …

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Shannon Kearns: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity 1:05:10

3M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

We talked with theologian, writer, and ordained priest Shannon Kearns about his new book, No One Taught Me How to be A Man: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity. Shannon T.L. Kearns is a transgender man who believes in the transformative power of story. He is an ordained priest, writer, and theologian whose work revolves around m…

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Companion (2025): A Bloody Honest Take on New Age Romance 1:07:55

3M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Companion is a seamlessly hilarious sci-fi romantic comedy that freshly examines power dynamics in artificial intelligence relationships. Ripe with refreshing and quick twists, the film leaves little room for questions and instead guides us through a bloody tale of deprogramming and toxic relationships.…

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Lee Camp: Habits and Practices that Foster Flourishing 1:00:50

3M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

We talked with theologian and professor Lee C. Camp about his podcast No Small Endeavor, and what it means to live "the good life." Lee C. Camp is an award-winning teacher and Professor of Theology & Ethics at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Lee is also the host of No Small Endeavor – an acclaimed podcast series exploring the habits, p…

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Munther Isaac: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza 1:02:29

3M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

We talked with Palestinian pastor and theologian Munther Isaac about his book Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza, which challenges USAmerican Christians' uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel. Speaking from his unique vantage point as a Christian pastor on the ground in Bethlehem, he reveals how Israel's cam…

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Mickey 17 Predicts Our Dystopian Future Under Capitalism 1:09:29

3M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Mickey 17 is an entertaining science fiction film that distills the fearful future of unchecked capitalism into a heartfelt, comedic romp. The Ghouls discuss what Mickey 17 gets right about Elon Musk’s Mars plan, our likely dystopian future after a second Trump Presidency, the reality of human cloning, and the horrors of climate change. How close a…

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Andrew Root: Evangelism in an Age of Despair 46:53

3M ago46:53

46:53

We talked with professor and author Andrew Root about the ironic reality that our modern pursuit of happiness has made us stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed, and what evangelism and outreach might look like in this age of despair. Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. He is the auth…

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Danny Bryant: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel 1:02:05

4M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

We talked with Anglican priest and spiritual director D.T. (Danny) Bryant about his book Unless a Seed Falls to the Ground: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel, where he shares the wounds and rewards of being a native son of the puritanical way of life called "whiteness," and offers the hope of inviting us into a season of "hospice spiritua…

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Defying More Than Gravity: Race, Politics & Power in Wicked 59:32

4M ago59:32

59:32

The Ghouls explore the revolutionary impact of Wicked in 2025. We dissect how Cynthia Erivo's Black Elphaba transforms the green-skinned witch's journey into a searing commentary on race, while simultaneously exposing the musical's chilling political prophecies. From "Defying Gravity" as a representation anthem to the Wizard's propaganda machine mi…

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Mariko Clark: Helping Kids Experience Contemplation and Wonder in Scripture 1:03:38

4M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

We talked with Mariko Clark about conceiving, writing, and publishing a new children's Bible story book: The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids. Mariko Clark is a Japanese American author, mother, and storyteller on a mission to help kids embrace diversity and wonder. Her time as an editor at National Geographic Learni…

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Thomas Oord: If God Can't, What About Miracles? & Other Questions 1:08:53

4M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

We talked with Tom Oord again about a lot of questions that came up in light of our conversation about his book God Can’t: How to Believe in God and Love after Tragedy, Abuse, and Other Evils: If "God Can't" determine outcomes unilaterally, what can God do? What about miracles? What about the renewal of all things? Can we be confident that God's lo…

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Sinners: A Love Letter to Black Culture, Resiliency, and History 1:18:17

4M ago1:18:17

1:18:17

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners feels like two movies in one and both are phenomenal pieces of media. At once a beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotional depiction of Jim Crow era America and a charming, hilarious, and horrific exploration of faith, culture, and folklore. Ghouls unpack their takeaways from a film ripe with meaning and impact diving into the i…

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Diane Langberg: Becoming Faith Communities That Resist Abuse 1:18:00

4M ago1:18:00

1:18:00

Content Warning: situations of sexual abuse and rape are mentioned in this podcast. We talked with internationally recognized psychologist Diane Langberg about coming face to face with the crushing trauma of sexual abuse, trafficking, domestic abuse, and rape—and its cover-up, all tragically encountered within Christian communities and the church. …

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Brandan Robertson: Reclaiming the Bible and Christian Faith for Queer People 58:23

4M ago58:23

58:23

We talked with "TikTok Pastor" Brandan Robertson about how the Bible has been weaponized to exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, despite Jesus’ radical message of inclusion. In his book Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table, Robertson offers compelling, evidence-based counterarguments to the "clobber verses" often us…

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Severance: Innies, Exploitation & Modern Company Towns 1:17:12

5M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Severance has given us one of the most nuanced examinations of identity, consciousness, and labor rights in recent television. The Ghouls dissect Severance Season 2's brilliant dual commentary: the fight for innie personhood alongside corporate America's modern "Sunken Place" for Black professionals. From Helly's rebellion to Milchick's blackface p…

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Jeff Mikels: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God 1:25:44

5M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

We talked with former evangelical pastor Jeff Mikels about the evangelical church's embrace of cultural and political idols, and his regret of his complicity in this trend. Jeff's book Evangelical Idolatry: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God is both a confession and a call to repentance. Reflecting on his twenty-year pastoral ministr…

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Kevin Sweeney: Mystics and the Black Prophetic Tradition 50:49

5M ago50:49

50:49

We talked with author and hospice chaplain Kevin Sweeney about his new book The Cosmic Christ and the Concrete Jesus, where he talks about how Christian mystics and the Black prophetic tradition have helped him find his footing as a Christian. Kevin Sweeney is the author of two other books, The Making of a Mystic and The Joy of Letting Go. He is al…

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Horror with Heart: From Shows the Power of Community in Crisis 1:13:57

5M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

From brilliantly explores Rebecca Solnit's disaster utopia concept, showing how communities respond to catastrophes with solidarity rather than chaos. The Ghouls explore how the trapped townspeople build meaningful connections despite relentless threats. From creates a true disaster utopia, showing people cooperating across backgrounds and sharing …

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Adam Young: How Engaging Our Past with Kindness Transforms Us 50:02

5M ago50:02

50:02

We talked with trauma therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Adam Young about exploring our past stories to help us make sense of where we are now and begin to imagine who we would like to become. Adam wrote Make Sense of Your Story to help people explore their personal stories, and how they still impact us today. Adam Young is a trauma ther…

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Ghouls Live 300th Celebration! 57:50

5M ago57:50

57:50

The Ghouls Next Door are going LIVE to celebrate 300 spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and downright ghoulish episodes of horror and media literacy! Join Gabe and Kat for a night of chills, thrills, and unforgettable moments as we look back on 300 episodes of turning fear into fierce conversations. Expect live Q&A, fun games, exclusive behind-the-…

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Sheila Wray Gregoire: Cultivating the Marriage You Want 53:02

5M ago53:02

53:02

We talked (again!) with Sheila Wray Gregoire about dispelling the pervasive myths about what makes a happy marriage, and looking at actual evidence to understand what creates intimacy, emotional health, and connection. Sheila's new book is The Marriage You Want: Moving Beyond Stereotypes for a Relationship Built on Scripture, New Data, and Emotiona…

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Emily Hunter McGowin: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God 52:53

6M ago52:53

52:53

This week, we spoke with Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin about reimagining the definition of a "biblical" family and the ways that family can embody the work of the Kingdom. Her new book is Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God. Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin is Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College. She is the author of Quiv…

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Stephen Morrison: The Anti-mammon Witness of the Early Church 1:02:13

6M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

We talked with theologian Stephen Morrison about the anti-mammon witness of the Early Church and its relevance for today, which Stephen argues points toward anti-capitalism. Stephen explores these ideas in his new book All Riches Come from Injustice. Stephen D. Morrison is a prolific American writer probably best known for his ongoing, mulit-volume…

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Tom Oord: How to Believe in God and Love After Tragedy and Abuse 1:06:13

6M ago1:06:13

1:06:13

We talked with Tom Oord about open and relational theology and how it can help us trust God after tragedy, abuse, and evil. We talked about the ideas and implications of his book God Can't: How to Believe in God and Love after Tragedy, Abuse, and Other Evils. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. O…

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Cheryl Miller: Restorative Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault 54:55

6M ago54:55

54:55

We talk with author and mediator Cheryl Miller about how restorative justice practices can transform the lives of survivors of sexual violence. In her book Enough Silence: Creating Sacred Space for Survivors of Sexual Assault Through Restorative Justice, Cheryl outlines of these practices and offers a road map for implementing victim-offender dialo…

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Andrew Bauman: Guarding Against Sexism and Abuse in Churches 59:42

7M ago59:42

59:42

We talked with Dr. Andrew Bauman about the preponderance of sexism and abuse in the church, and what we can do to counteract and guard against it, which are the themes of his book Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities. Dr. Andrew J. Bauman is the founder and director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexu…

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Interview with the Vampire: A Bold Reimagining of Queerness, Race & Abuse 1:02:42

7M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Let’s break down the beauty, horror, and heartbreak of Interview with the Vampire. AMC’s Interview with the Vampire is a haunting, gothic masterpiece that redefines Anne Rice’s classic story through the lens of race, queerness, and power. This deep dive explores the tragic, abusive relationship between Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt…

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Malcolm Foley: How the Love of Money is the Root of Racism 54:04

7M ago54:04

54:04

We talked with pastor and historian Malcolm Foley about the not-well-known-enough truth that racism is NOT about hate and ignorance; it's about greed. And it always has been. Foley's new book The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward explores how the desire for power and money…

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Jonathan Foster: Tending to Our Grief Through Poetry 59:43

7M ago59:43

59:43

We talked with podcaster and author Jonathan Foster about indigo: the color of grief, his book of poems that came from processing the painful loss of his daughter. Jonathan is the partner of one and father of three, founder of lovehaiti.org, podcaster, and award-winning author with some degrees in open and relational theology who loves to hike. You…

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Nosferatu (2024) Feminist Horror: Power, Possession & Repression 1:07:01

7M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Is Nosferatu a cautionary tale about repression, or an empowering story of feminine defiance? Let’s dive into this gothic nightmare and uncover the terrifying truths behind the fiction. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is a chilling reflection of historical oppression, medical horror, and the fear of feminine autonomy. The film’s eerie atmosphere, p…

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Marc Alan Schelske: The Path of Other-Centered, Co-Suffering Love 1:01:57

7M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

We talked with pastor and author Marc Alan Schelske about the practicalities of following Jesus on the path of other-centered, so-suffering love. Marc's new book Walking Otherward is a forty-day devotional (just in time for Lent!) that follows the Gospel texts of Jesus' final weeks before his crucifixion. Each entry invites you to try on Jesus' att…

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Liz Charlotte Grant: Seeking God after Losing Faith in the Bible 52:36

8M ago52:36

52:36

Essayist Liz Charlotte seeks to “read life” into the Bible, a text long limited by rigid evangelical notions of biblical inerrancy. In her book Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible, rshe draws on a broad range of sources to unpack the first 32 chapters of Genesis in a remarkably fresh way. Liz Charlotte Grant is …

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The Power of Your Monster (2024): Feminine Rage and Confronting Emotional Neglect 57:25

8M ago57:25

57:25

Ghouls break down the emotional depth and trauma explored in Your Monster (2024), highlighting themes of childhood neglect, feminine rage, and trauma responses like fawning. We dive into how Laura’s emotional repression—stemming from both physical and emotional neglect in childhood—shapes her adult life, relationships, and health. The film subtly e…

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Leaving White Evangelicalism, Part 3: Experiments and Transgressions 58:56

8M ago58:56

58:56

Matt and Ben continue reflecting on the process of leaving the white evangelical spaces they both came to faith in. Show notes: Mako Nagasawa: Thinking More Clearly About Abortion On How I Left White Evangelicalism and How it Left Me Redefining the History and Historiography on American Evangelicalism in the Era of the Religious Right My Comments L…

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Leaving White Evangelicalism, Part 2: Theology Vs. History 50:55

8M ago50:55

50:55

Matt and Ben continue reflecting on the process of leaving the white evangelical spaces they both came to faith in. Show notes: Mako Nagasawa: Thinking More Clearly About Abortion On How I Left White Evangelicalism and How it Left Me Redefining the History and Historiography on American Evangelicalism in the Era of the Religious Right My Comments L…

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From Grief to Gore: 'Lisa Frankenstein' Brings the Dead to Life 1:02:18

8M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Lisa Frankenstein is a darkly comedic, neon-soaked horror film set in the late 80s, penned by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams. It explores Lisa’s journey from grief-stricken teen to self-assured misfit as she accidentally resurrects her Victorian crush and navigates a chaotic world filled with small-town gossip, body parts, and dark humo…