She deserves to be called the "Mother of Horror".

Horror fans likely know that the timeless story of FRANKENSTEIN, a centuries old tale of science gone horribly wrong, was the invention of a teenager. Well, that story now has a movie.

Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, the first female Saudi Arabian director to direct a feature film, IFC Films’ MARY SHELLEY stars Elle Fanning (SUPER 8, THE BEGUILED) in the title role of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who later became Shelley after marrying poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley.

al-Mansour’s debut film was WADJDA, a film she wrote and directed which premiered at the 2012 Venice Film Festival. It was the first full-length feature to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia by a female director. Such firsts seem appropriate for the story of the young and extremely intelligent Mary who brainstormed her monstrous idea during a storm-ravaged night at the chateau of renowned poet, Lord Byron. It was there that, along with FRANKENSTEIN, the ideas for other creatures were born, including a story which would eventually set the stage for Vampires.

From the trailer, the story is unfortunately familiar, but also timely: A brilliant, imaginative woman fighting against opinion, aristocracy, and the pillars of power in an ever male-dominated world, some of whom even love her.

MARY SHELLEY also stars Bel Powley, Joanne Froggatt, and Maisie Williams (GAME OF THRONES).

It comes alive in theaters May 25th and VOD on June 1st.

Synopsis
Raised by a renowned philosopher father in 18th-century London, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin is a teenage dreamer determined to make her mark on the world when she meets the dashing and brilliant poet Percy Shelley. So begins a torrid, bohemian love affair marked by both passion and personal tragedy that will transform Mary and fuel the writing of her Gothic masterwork.