Liza Soberano finds personal parallels in her role in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Scene-stealer that she is, Liza Soberano shares that she took a fresh take to her role as ‘Taffy’ in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ | Photo from @lizasoberano/Instagram

Liza Soberano continues to be a scene-stealer, not just in the Philippines but also in Hollywood, and American director Joe Russo gives a nod to that.

In a tweet on X, he applauds Soberano, stating, “[Zelda Williams] and Diablo Cody found a superstar in Liza Soberano, who steals every scene as Lisa’s step-sister, Taffy,” in her Hollywood debut, “Lisa Frankenstein.”

Movies like LISA FRANKENSTEIN can be great vehicles to break new stars, and @zeldawilliams and Diablo Cody found a superstar in Liza Soberano, who steals every scene she’s in as Lisa’s step-sister, Taffy. pic.twitter.com/oeQnEO59gR

— Joe Russo (@joerussotweets) February 1, 2024

Reflecting on her role as Lisa’s supportive sister in the film, the 26-year-old Filipino-American actress shared insights during her guest appearance on “Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson & Olivia Allen” on YouTube. 

The “Forevermore” star expressed that Williams, the movie’s director, remarked that she was ideal for the role, standing out among other auditions by approaching it with sincerity and sweetness rather than being too mean or pretentious.

Discussing her understanding of “Taffy” in the script, she revealed, “I realized that Taffy is actually Lisa’s only true supporter, someone always there to champion her and push her to become her most confident self.”

The “My Ex and Whys” lead actress appreciates the opportunity to break stereotypes through her role, a sentiment she applies to her personal and professional growth, prioritizing her mental health more than ever. 

Starting in 2022, she began using her voice to raise awareness about mental health, a topic still considered taboo in the Philippines. In the podcast, she attributes this stigma to the cultural notion of utang na loob (forever in debt), emphasizing, “It’s like we’re just people pleasers.”

“Everything has to be happy and pleasant at all times, and that’s not just the way the world works obviously…I think in the Philippines, it’s kind of a facade sometimes,” she continues. 

The past two years have marked a career transition for the “Alone/Together” artist, from being a recognizable figure in the country to building her name from scratch in the international scene. 

Through this transition, she decided to speak her truth and become more honest and authentic, not just for herself but also for the people watching.

Brimming with much more experience and knowledge this time, she notes that what makes “Lisa Frankenstein” special for her is that she was “fully present and in the moment” because she confessed that she “needed to fall in love with acting again.”

“Lisa Frankenstein,” featuring Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton, is set to premiere on Feb. 6 and is set to open in Philippine cinemas on Feb. 7.