The new horror-comedy film Lisa Frankenstein features a lot of easter eggs, homages, and references to its 1980s setting, and the filmmakers were very much inspired by the iconic looks of that era.
Considering that the 1980s decade has prominent pop culture artifacts that are still revered up to this day, the people involved in the film can't help but look at that era and turn it as a basis of their main inspirations for the film.
Also Read: What Does Lisa's Grave Say in the End of Lisa Frankenstein? Epitaph Meaning Explored
The Main Inspiration for the Costumes in Lisa Frankenstein
Costume designer Meagan McLaughlin looked at the 1980s decades as her inspiration for the costumes of Lisa Frankenstein, just like director Zelda Williams and writer Diablo Cody.
"1989 is burned in my brain. I used a lot of my own pictures from that time as reference photos, and used those outfits on Kathryn and other people," she told Fashionista.
It also helps that the film took place in her "favorite time period" and she already had a lot of the clothing needed to dress the characters thanks to a storage unit she shared with assistant costume designer Jen Wasso.
For Cole Sprouse's character, McLaughlin had Victorian outfit references and a photo of Johnny Depp from Benny and Joon in her mood board for the character.
During the scene where they were experimenting with his clothing, his fashion was inspired by John Cusack and other assorted "cool '80s guys."
Meanwhile, McLaughlin was inspired by the era's hit fashion brands like Esprit, Benetton, Banana Republic, and The Limited's Outback Red line for the costuming of Lisa.
In her goth look, she looked at Winona Ryder, "dark runway fashion" from Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen, and Madonna as her inspirations in the character's mood board.
Lisa Performed a Classic Song from the '80s
During one of the scenes of the film, Lisa performed the '80s classic "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon, which topped the charts for several weeks when it was released in 1984.
"Well, let’s just say my hotel room got some really good performances outta me that nobody saw [laugh]. I did practice that song. I’m sorry to my neighbors at the hotel. Well, it was exciting," Kathryn Newton told ComingSoon regarding her experience.
"I didn’t know that song. I know another REO Speedwagon song, so I had to learn it. And Universal Music set me up in the booth. We recorded it. I was feeling like I should start a band. What do you think?"
A Hidden Easter Egg During the Final Scene
In the final scene of Lisa Frankenstein, Cole Sprouse's The Creature finally spoke a few lines where he recited lines of poetry.
As it turns out, there is a hidden easter egg during that moment but Sprouse declined to explain for now what they were referencing.
"And in that scene, specifically, if you go back and watch it, that final scene, there are a ton of easter eggs buried into that scene. Only one actually, only Jimmy Fallon’s team, who I’m seeing tonight, were ones to spot one of the Easter eggs," the actor said to The Wrap.
"Please, go back and watch it. I’m not gonna spoil it. But go back and watch it, that scene has a lot of tenderness, and a lot of care, and a lot of beauty in it, and it’s a scene that’s really close to Diablo and Zelda specifically."
Fans obviously need to rewatch the film again and pay closer attention to that moment in order to understand the easter egg in that final scene.
Lisa Frankenstein is now showing in theaters everywhere.
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