The Surprising Relationship Lesson All Couples Can Learn From THE BRIDE!

Here comes THE BRIDE! Maggie Gyllenhaal's latest directorial endeavor is a highly anticipated gothic flick that's loosely inspired by Mary Shelley's iconic novel and the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein—and it's packed with surprising relationship lessons for couples, particularly those in the midst of their wedding planning journeys.

The newest bold, iconoclastic take on the Frankenstein myth is set in 1930s Chicago. It follows "Frank" (Christian Bale) on his journey to find the perfect companion. To combat his loneliness, the monster asks Dr. Euphronious (Annette Benning) to give life to a murdered woman (Jessie Buckley), who becomes known solely as "The Bride." Together as outlaws, the duo's unlikely partnership sparks a string of crime rampages, police chases, media attention, social unrest and, of course, a bit of romance. While it might not seem like a film you'd associate as a classic wedding movie, Gyllenhaal's theatrical release is packed with relationship allegories that explore a deeper analysis of the pressure women face to be perfect, not only for themselves, but also for their partners.

In THE BRIDE!, Buckley's character is literally revived from the dead with the sole purpose of being "made" for someone else. Although she's hoped to be the ideal companion, she defies all expectation to find her own voice, later igniting a widespread radical cultural movement in the process. This narrative strikes a powerful chord with the modern wedding planning experience, where women can feel pressure to fit a mold of what's expected for brides-to-be while simultaneously carrying the invisible emotional load of "making the magic happen" for everyone else, from their partners to their guests.

It's an experience some viewers may be able to relate to—just like Gyllenhaal. "The expectation to be perfect, remarkable, exquisite or whatever you're striving for, is the death of art, and the opposite of life," she said in an exclusive interview with The Knot ahead of the movie's premiere. "This is a movie about life coming alive and being reinvigorated. I think life comes out of the humanity inside all of us."

Anyone feeling the pressure to perform at the highest standard, especially amid a major life milestone like planning a wedding, can find comfort and inspiration in The Bride's journey. Over the course of the film, Buckley's character defies her fate by prioritizing her own identity instead of the role was designed to fit. Her radical rebellion strikes a chord with other female characters in the movie, serving as a powerful reminder that no matter what challenge you're facing, you're not alone.

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Amid her personal revolution, The Bride's relationship with Frank evolves from friendship to love. Their companionship illuminates the importance of self-preservation in relationships, indicating that you don't have to sacrifice any part of yourself for your partner. Instead, THE BRIDE! suggests that true love is the result of accepting every part of your person—the good, the bad, and the ugly. "The movie is ultimately a celebration of the parts that I believe exist in all of us that do not fit into the box that we're supposed to fit into," Gyllenhaal explained. "[The Bride and Frank] can't actually be together as the real lovers they're supposed to be until all the weird, dark, strange and painful stuff comes to the surface. All of it has to be there, or else I don't really believe you can love."

This message will resonate with couples at any relationship stage, especially those who are planning a wedding while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a healthy marriage. The movie emphasizes the importance of individuality by reinforcing the fact that relationships are strongest when both people have the ability to shine without dimming each other.

Gyllenhaal added that her 17-year marriage with actor Peter Sarsgaard, who portrays Detective Jake Wiles in the film, has benefitted from this lesson. "If you think that there's enough to go around, which there is, then you can really celebrate the beauty in the other person's successes and in the other person's expression," she said, adding that there's one quality in particular that contributes to a lasting marriage: "I think the hottest thing is honesty," she continued. "When I see my husband being honest even about things that are hard or scary, that is what is the most appealing to me."

That theme is ever-so-present in THE BRIDE!, in which the Bride and Frank share many heartfelt and sincere conversations in their pursuit of life after death. As viewers will see, THE BRIDE! serves as allegory for the modern woman who refuses to lose herself on the way to the altar. Buckley's raw and emotional portrayal of the titular character draws on the film's goth-punk feminist themes to prove that you don't have to sacrifice yourself in a relationship. Instead, relationships thrive when both partners prioritize their own identities and come together as two complete individuals.

It's a strikingly poignant adaptation that modernizes a classic gothic tale with humor and heart—and it's a must-watch for anyone who refuses to lose themselves in a relationship…or on their way to the altar.

See Maggie Gyllenhaal's THE BRIDE! only in theaters and IMAX on March 6. Tickets on sale now.