Lisa Frankenstein

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lisa Swallows is introduced as a lonely, traumatized teen in 1989, still grieving her mother's brutal axe murder two years prior. She's isolated at school and uncomfortable in her new blended family with her superficial stepmother Janet and popular stepsister Taffy.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when During a thunderstorm, lightning strikes the grave of Lisa's Victorian bachelor, reanimating his corpse. The Creature emerges from his grave and begins making his way toward Lisa, setting the supernatural horror-comedy into motion.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.

The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Lisa makes the active choice to help the Creature become whole again. She commits to their partnership, crossing from passive victim to active participant. This begins their murder spree to acquire body parts, transforming her from isolated mourner to empowered agent., moving from reaction to action.

At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Lisa and the Creature consummate their relationship. She's fully transformed—confident, sexual, powerful. She seems to have everything: her monster boyfriend is nearly complete, she's popular at school, she's transcended her trauma. But the stakes secretly raise as bodies pile up., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Lisa is killed/mortally wounded (likely by her stepmother Janet or in confrontation over the murders). The whiff of death is literal—Lisa herself dies, losing everything she'd gained. The Creature must choose whether to save her., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. The Creature uses the tanning bed/lightning to resurrect Lisa as a living corpse like himself. Lisa awakens transformed, fully accepting her monstrous nature. She synthesizes her old self (traumatized victim) with her new self (empowered monster) and chooses supernatural love over normal life., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.