MANILA, Philippines: Liza Soberano — who is making her Hollywood debut via the horror-comedy film "Lisa Frankenstein" — received praises for her role ahead of the film's global premiere next week.

Director and producer Joe Russo (not the Marvel director) tweeted, "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."

According to his profile, Russo is involved in writing and directing horror and thriller films such as "The Inheritance" and "The Au Pair Nightmare."

Lisa Frankenstein tells the story of Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), an awkward teen trying to adjust to a new school and a new life after her mother's death and her father's hasty remarriage.

Despite the unwavering support offered by her plucky cheerleader step sister Taffy (Soberano), Lisa only finds solace in the abandoned cemetery near her house, where she tends to the grave of a young man who died in 1837 – and whose corpse she unwittingly reanimates (Cole Sprouse). Lisa then embarks on a quest to breathe new life into her long-dead new companion.

Soberano's director, Zelda Williams, has praised her chosen actress.

"I met her through mutual friends in LA. And I was struggling to cast the part that she ended up playing. I really wanted someone who could play so earnest, sweet and loving and everyone coming in was kind of playing it [Taffy] very mean no matter what notes I gave them so truthfully, I asked her myself if she would tape for it, I think you're right for it and everyone fell in love with her," Williams told TV Patrol's Yong Chavez.

"She's most people's favorite part of the movie," Williams, who is making her feature-length directorial debut in the film, emphasized.

These praises were greatly accepted by Soberano's fans as the actress redirected her focus on a Hollywood career. Her last local project in the Philippines was "Make It with You" with onscreen and real-life partner Enrique Gil. The show was abruptly ended due to the pandemic and the franchise woes of her home network, ABS-CBN.

In 2022, Soberano signed with James Reid's talent agency, Careless which has a partnership with American management company, Transparent Arts. Soon, she relocated in Los Angeles, California.

Lisa Frankenstein opens in Philippine cinemas February 7, two days ahead of its global release on February 9.