As Zelda Williams’ directorial debut, it is no surprise that Lisa Frankenstein was hilarious and quirky, but as it turns out, the movie also included a major reference to her late father, Robin Williams. Robin Williams was an iconic comedian and actor whose career spanned from the 1970s througout the early 2000s. Robin Williams’ best known movies include Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and Dead Poets Society. In 2014, Williams passed away, and now, his daughter has made her first step into the world of movies with 2024’s romantic horror movie, Lisa Frankenstein.

One of the most notable things about Lisa Frankenstein is that it is full of references. Set in the 1980s, the movie includes all sorts of brief but hilarious details such as Lisa’s shower radio or her shoe phone. There are also countless mentions of 1980s pop culture, especially when it comes to music. REO Speedwagon’s hit song “Can’t Fight This Feeling” is a pillar of the movie. However, Lisa Frankenstein’s tributes are not all related to the 1980s, and furthermore, are not all obvious. One particular reference at the end of Lisa Frankenstein is obscure, but incredibly heartfelt.

Kathryn-Newton-as-Lisa-&-Cole-Sprouse-as-The-Creature--Lisa-Frankenstein

Lisa Frankenstein is filled with 80s classics. We break down every song that is in the horror romance and exactly when it plays during the movie.

The Creature’s Rainbow Suspenders In Lisa Frankenstein Honored Robin Williams

Robin Williams wore rainbow suspenders in Mork & Mindy

The Creature reading to a bandaged up Lisa on a bench in Lisa Frankenstein Robin Williams Mork and Mindy The Creature holding Lisa's head and looking at her lovingly in Lisa Frankenstein Robin Williams as Mork in Mork and Mindy
Lisa and the Creature sit together in her bed in Lisa Frankenstein

In the final scene of Lisa Frankenstein, a bandaged-up Lisa lays with the Creature in a park as he reads her a Percy Bysshe Shelly poem called “To Mary.” This is a solid reference to Mary Shelley, the woman who wrote “Frankenstein” in 1818. However, the Shelleys aren’t the only famous people referenced in Lisa Frankenstein’s last moments. In that final scene, the Creature is wearing rainbow suspenders, and though these may seem like a fun and random touch, insinuating that he is finally human, the accessory is actually a huge tribute to Zelda Williams’ father, Robin Williams.

During the early years of his career, in 1978, Robin Williams was cast as an alien named Mork in a series called Mork & Mindy. The show really only happened because of Williams’ performance, as he first played Mork in an episode of Happy Days in 1978. Producers were so impressed with his comedic choices that a spinoff series called Mork & Mindy was created. It ran from 1978 to 1982.

Mork was most identifiable by his rainbow suspenders, which he often wore on the show.

Therefore, it makes sense that the Creature’s rainbow suspenders would be referencing Robin Williams’ Mork.

What Other Movies & Shows Zelda Williams Is Known For

Lisa Frankenstein is the first feature length Zelda Williams has directed

Lisa and the Creature looking at each other closely in Lisa Frankenstein

Although Lisa Frankenstein is Zelda Williams’ directorial debut, this is far from her first Hollywood project. Williams’ began working at the age of 5 alongside her father in the 2004 film House of D. As she grew older, Williams’ took on various acting roles both in live action and animated projects. Her most notable films and series include The Legend of Korra, Teen Wolf, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dead of Summer. In 2018, Williams wrote, directed, and produced her first short film entitled Shrimp. Though Lisa Frankenstein is her first feature length film, hopefully it won’t be her last.