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Comedy Cult Classic

A grief-stricken scientist reassembles his fiancée using parts from Manhattan streetwalkers.

FRANKENHOOKER

A terrifying tale of sluts and bolts.

1990 · 1h 25m · R · Comedy / Horror / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

A medical student sets out to recreate his decapitated fiancée by building her a new body made of Manhattan street prostitutes.

Quick Answer

What is Frankenhooker about?

Frankenhooker is a 1990 United States comedy, horror, and science fiction film directed by Frank Henenlotter about a grieving scientist who uses his bioelectric knowledge to reanimate his fiancée using the bodies of New York prostitutes.

Programmer's Pick

Only Frank Henenlotter could turn a lawnmower mishap and a box of spare body parts into a giddy, splatter-soaked satire on love, loss, and mad science. Frankenhooker gleefully stitches together New Jersey suburbia, New York sleaze, and enough crackpot inventions to make Dr. Frankenstein blush.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Jeffrey Franken is a power plant worker and amateur scientist living in suburban New Jersey. After his fiancée, Elizabeth, is gruesomely killed in a freak lawnmower accident during her father's birthday party, Jeffrey's mind spirals into grief and obsession. Armed with a knack for bioelectricity and unconventional science projects, he plots to rebuild Elizabeth using whatever remains he can salvage. His fixation leads to mock dinner dates with body parts and even self-surgery as he struggles to cope with her loss. This film sets up a bizarre, darkly comic journey into science gone awry as Jeffrey attempts the ultimate resurrection.

Details & Specs

Director
Frank Henenlotter
Writers
Frank Henenlotter, Robert Martin
Release
1990
Runtime
1h 25m
Country
United States of America
Language
English, Swedish
Also Known As
Frankenputa, Frankenputa (Vicios diabólicos), Frankenhooker (Vicios diabólicos), La Chica De Sus Sueños, Frankenhooker (La Chica De Sus Sueños), 购尸还魂

Why This Matters

Directed by Frank Henenlotter, this 1990 black comedy horror film parodies Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and features Penthouse Pet Patty Mullen, blending exploitation elements with a satirical take on classic literature.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Frank Henenlotter Writers: Frank Henenlotter +1 more

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Why Cult

Madcap Bioelectricity

Jeffrey’s unorthodox scientific methods—including dinner dates with severed parts and power drill therapy—skewers the mad scientist trope.

Frankenstein Spoof

The film parodies classic Frankenstein themes with a gleefully trashy, sexploitation twist and a creation assembled from New York streetwalkers.

Exploding Bodies

From crack cocaine to electrical surges, the film revels in outrageous physical gags and bodies coming apart in spectacular fashion.

Dark Comedy in Jersey

The collision of suburban New Jersey banality with grotesque science and Manhattan sleaze gives this film its unique, offbeat flavor.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Fiancée's death by lawnmower

Threat

Science run amok

Effect

Reanimated body assembled from various women

Setting

Suburban New Jersey and New York City

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Frankenhooker? +

Frankenhooker was directed by Frank Henenlotter.

How long is Frankenhooker? +

Frankenhooker has a runtime of 85 minutes.

What genre is Frankenhooker? +

Frankenhooker is a comedy, horror, and science fiction film.

When was Frankenhooker released? +

Frankenhooker was released in 1990.

How does Jeffrey cope with his grief after Elizabeth's death? +

Jeffrey channels his grief into scientific obsession, conducting mock dinner dates with Elizabeth's remains and performing self-trepanations with a power drill.

Trailers & Clips