‘Renfield’ Review

With hundreds of iterations, Dracula remains one of the most recognizable movie monsters of all time. But for those familiar with Bram Stoker's original novel, the vital counterbalance to Count Dracula is his loyal servant, Renfield. In Universal's latest horror comedy, Renfield is the titular character Nicolas Hoult, known for his roles in the X-Men franchise and Mad Max: Fury Road, plays the tortured aide. Who better to play the most horrible boss in fiction than Nicolas Cage himself?

The two Nics make for a hilarious pairing, but behind the scenes, director Chris McKay (The LEGO Batman Movie, The Tomorrow War) and writer Ryan Ridley (Rick & Morty) have created an inspired mix of gory horror and humor. Based on an idea by The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman, Renfield promises to stand out from anything audiences will see from a major studio this year.

Renfield has a lot going for it - two great movie stars, exciting filmmakers, and a great dedication to campiness. However, a trope-filled story is where this promising genre flick starts to lose its charm. Set in New Orleans, we begin with Robert Montague Renfield recounting his illustrious past with his “boss” at a co-dependent relationship support group. The nature of their relationship (established some 900 years ago) is revealed to the group in broad strokes. Included is a stellar black-and-white nod to Bela Lugosi's iconic turn as Dracula, with Nicolas Cage chewing up every line in his vampy best.

Renfield returns home to his insatiable master, who on the brink of death is both hilarious and menacing due to Cage's natural charisma. In a chance encounter, Renfield meets Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina), a traffic cop looking for answers. All roads lead to Renfield trying to do his best at evading his master and creating a new free life for himself. With the help of Rebecca, all that seems possible for the first time in centuries.

Despite the high levels of camp, there's a nice balance of action and comedy in Renfield. This juggling act mostly works, thanks to the hilarious cast. Ben Schwartz is an easy standout along with his striking crime boss Ella (Shohreh Aghdashloo). However, the crime family plot isn't the most exciting part of the movie and seems outdated compared to the other modern elements.

It's a horror lover's greatest treat seeing Nicolas Cage go beyond the macabre for Dracula. Each time he's on-screen, his larger-than-life persona is infused with such power that we haven't seen from the character before. It's a refreshing take, that even the biggest vampire fanatics will find a lot to love in. Renfield, though, in no way would work if it wasn't for Nicholas Hoult at the heart of the story.

Renfield is not a great person, but being stuck with Dracula all those centuries, you can't help but feel bad for him. Looking at a paleface Hoult yet again, it gives off the same vibes as his character R in the criminally underrated Warm Bodies. That's until he opens his mouth and shares his constantly .ranting thoughts on his relationship with Dracula. Hoult is both funny and endearing as Renfield, making us care about his character and root for his redemption. His chemistry with Awkwafina is also a highlight, as their unlikely friendship develops throughout the movie.

Overall, Renfield is a fun and entertaining horror-comedy that delivers on its promise of gore, humor, and an all-star cast. While some of its narrative tropes may feel dated and out of place, the movie's unique blend of old-school horror camp and modern humor makes it stand out from other genre flicks. Nicolas Cage's over-the-top performance as Dracula is a major draw, but it's Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of the tortured Renfield that really steals the show. If you're looking for a good laugh and some gory fun, Renfield is definitely worth checking out.

The concept of "Renfield" seems promising, but the movie falls short due to a convoluted plot involving a cop named Rebecca (played by Awkwafina) trying to take down the Lobo crime family, headed by Bellafrancesca Lobo (portrayed by Shohreh Aghdashloo). The storyline of cops versus the mob dulls the boldness of Renfield's quest to leave Dracula behind, and the attempt to intertwine the two never quite comes together.

Despite the plot's shortcomings, the cast appears to be having a blast, and that infectious energy translates to the audience. Nicholas Hoult's deadpan comedic style has earned him critical acclaim, including an Emmy nomination for his role on Hulu's "The Great" and a standout performance in "The Favourite" (2018). His portrayal of Renfield is good, but the real draw is Nicolas Cage's performance as Dracula. Known for his manic, over-the-top, and obnoxious characters, Cage is a natural fit for the role of the infamous vampire. Although his recent career has been filled with disposable VOD action films, his critically acclaimed performance in "Pig" (2021) has brought him back to the multiplex. Fans of Cage will undoubtedly enjoy his ghoulish rendition of Dracula.

Despite the film's humorous moments and gloriously exaggerated violence, "Renfield" ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The screenplay lacks focus and fails to highlight the best aspects of the film. However, the movie will not impede Cage's resurgence into the mainstream, and hopefully, it will inspire creators to use his talents in stronger projects.

In conclusion, the character of Renfield has been a vital part of the Dracula mythos for over a century, serving as the loyal servant and "familiar" to the blood-sucking prince of darkness. In the new horror-comedy Renfield, we see a fresh and modern take on this iconic character, brought to life by the talented Nicolas Hoult. Along with an all-star cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, and Ben Schwartz, and the creative team of director Chris McKay and writer Ryan Ridley, Renfield delivers a unique and entertaining blend of horror and humor that's sure to please fans of the genre.

3.5/5

Renfield hits theaters on April 14!