Who is starring in The Bride? Cast details of the 2026 movie, explored

The Bride (2026) is directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and the movie revisits the classic tale of Frankenstein in a bold but electrifying way.

Jessie Buckley takes the lead role as the Bride, and opposite her is Christian Bale as Frankenstein's monster. Names like Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening, Peter Sarsgaard, Jake Gyllenhaal, and more will also be involved in the movie.

Here's everything to know about the stars of the 2026 gothic horror movie.

Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale lead The Bride

When we talk about the cast of The Bride the first name that pops up is Jessie Buckley, who will play the Bride herself. She is the central figure around whom much of the action and social upheaval in 1930s Chicago unfolds.

Buckley, who is an Oscar nominee, has proven her ability to bring complex characters to life. While talking to IndieWire in March 2024, she also expressed her excitement about working with director Maggie Gyllenhaal yet again after their collaboration on The Lost Daughter. She said:

"It is beyond my wildest dreams getting to go back and work with [Gyllenhaal] again..."

Coming to another cast member, opposite Buckley is none other than Christian Bale as Frankenstein's monster. Known for his transformative performances, Bale's role complements the gothic and romantic elements of the story.

The official synopsis for the move reads:

"A lonely Frankenstein travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance."

Together, Buckley and Bale deliver a dynamic performance that enhances the horror and romance elements of the film.

A strong supporting cast that raises the stakes

While Buckley and Bale may be the headline stars, the movie is filled with a line-up that could carry any film on their own.

Annette Bening will be playing Dr. Euphronious, the scientist who helps give life to the Bride. Penélope Cruz will be playing a character named Myrna, while Julianne Hough, John Magaro, and Jake Gyllenhaal add more to the intrigue.

Peter Sarsgaard who is Gyllenhaal's husband, is also part of the film, and he's vocal about what the viewers can expect. In a conversation with The Independent, he described The Bride as:

"A big, romantic, deeply romantic, wild, punk monster movie..."

The involvement of such a range of actors, from Oscar nominees to winners and rising stars, shows just how ambitious the project really is. This ambition matches the film’s promise of being part horror, part love story, and part revolution.

With Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale as the leads in the film, supported by Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening, Peter Sarsgaard, and Jake Gyllenhaal, the gothic movie is surely one of 2026's most awaited films.

Gyllenhaal isn't just putting together a team of cast members; she's creating an entire cinematic gothic event that screams Frankenstein. The trailer and initial glimpses indicate a unique retelling of a classic tale with the potential to stand out in the genre.