Between her breakout role in J.J. Abrams’ “Super 8” and more recent ingenue work in films like “The Neon Demon” and “The Beguiled,” Elle Fanning has established herself as one of the most versatile young actresses working today. Slipping effortlessly from one genre to the next, Fanning has demonstrated a certain fearlessness with each project she has decided to take on. So it’s no surprise that  in the first trailer, she appears to be diving head-on into the true story at the center of “Mary Shelley.”

Directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour, “Mary Shelley” explores the life of the titular author, who wrote “Frankenstein” in a time when women were believed unfit to tell such stories. In addition to the romance between Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley (Douglas Booth) that inspired the novel, the film delves into Shelley’s motivations for writing it, as well as, her struggles to get it published.

Many films these days have dramatized the real-life stories behind some of the most famous works of art. Releases like “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Finding Neverland,” and last year’s “Goodbye Christopher Robin” come to mind. However, “Mary Shelley” has the potential to rise above many similar narratives and set itself apart as much more than just another period piece. After all, the tale of a determined woman rebelling against a patriarchal society to receive the recognition she deserves, unfortunately, feels more relevant than ever. With any luck, this might give Al-Mansour’s story — for which she shares writing credit with Australian screenwriter Emma Jensen — a feminist edge that could help distinguish it from its forebears.

“Mary Shelley” features supporting turns from “Game of Thrones‘” Maisie Williams, Bel Powley and Ben Hardy. The film made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall and is scheduled to begin its domestic theatrical run, courtesy of IFC Films, on May 25.