Liza Soberano is finally showing her acting chops in a coming-of-rage film — and her fans are here for it.

On 5 January, Focus Features unveiled the trailer of Zelda Williams’ directorial debut film, Lisa Frankenstein, which features Soberano as Taffy, a high school cheerleader and stepsister to Lisa (portrayed by Kathryn Newton) who “could probably even do pageants if she had congeniality,” as Taffy said in the trailer.

Lisa Frankenstein follows a misunderstood high schooler (Newton) who has a crush on a Victorian corpse (portrayed by Cole Sprouse) who gets a second chance in life. After several misadventures, the two embark on a “murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way,” per the Focus Features description of the film.

Apart from Newton, Sprouse and Soberano, the horror-comedy film also features Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest and Carla Gugino.

Williams, the daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams and his Filipino-American ex-wife Marsha Garces, is the film’s director. The film is written by Diablo Cody, who won the Academy Award and the BAFTA award for Best Original Screenplay for the 2007 film Juno.

Soberano posted the film’s trailer on her Instagram on 5 January, a day after her birthday. The 26-year-old actress also shared a series of stunning Tumblr-inspired birthday posts on Instagram showing her holding and eating a cake as photographed by popular photographer Shaira Luna.

“They say “You can’t have your cake and eat it too” but life is short so watch me try. Here’s to 26!!” Soberano captioned her post. “Grateful for everyone who makes me feel special by showing their love and support today and everyday!”

Soberano’s former onscreen partner Enrique Gil also penned a heartfelt message for her 26th birthday.

“Happy Birthday dear hopie!!! I’ll always have your back no matter what,” Gil wrote on his Instagram story. Still no word from either on the flood of breakup speculations that have swirled around them since early 2023.

Lisa Frankenstein is slated for release in US cinemas on 14 February.