Renfield movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Renfield

This comedy horror about Dracula is now playing in select theaters.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 33 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Renfield is just a regular guy, except that he worked as Dracula’s assistant for years. Now, he finally wants to get out of the toxic relationship and move on with his life. This dark and violent comedy was directed by Chris McKay, and written by Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman.

THINGS I LIKED:

I attended a press screener at a theater for a different movie where the trailer for Renfield showed. The audience was fairly quiet at the beginning, but as soon as Nicolas Cage appeared on the big screen, the entire audience burst out in delighted laughter. Without his over-the-top, ridiculous performance, this movie wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining as it is. He said that playing Dracula was a lifelong dream of his. He played a vampire in one of his earlier movies back in the 1980s, Vampire’s Kiss, so I guess you could say that this kind of role is in his BLOOD. ha ha
The entertaining cast also includes Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Brandon Scott Jones, Miles Doleac, and Shohreh Aghdashloo. They all do an excellent job.
I wonder if it got confusing on filming days to have two leading men named Nicolas (Cage and Hoult).
If nothing else, it’s a new take on the old story of Dracula. Director Chris McKay explained that he wanted this movie to be a sequel to Tod Browning’s Dracula in 1931! The marketing was supposed to reflect that connection, but it didn’t actually work.
The castle seen in the movie is the same one used in the family-friendly movie Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang! It’s called Neuschwanstein, located in Bavaria, Germany. Guess what? Nicholas Cage actually owns a few castles in real life!
It’s a pulp version of vampires with a lot of dark humor and comedic schtick. It’s also extremely campy, so be prepared.
Shout-out to Wiccan Tumblr. Ha ha
The themes and life lessons are simple and powerful.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The film is extremely violent and gory.
There are quite a few dark scenes at night that will make viewing difficult when watched on a small streaming device.
The ending is vague enough that it leaves a crack open for a sequel. Do you think that’s a good thing or a bad idea?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This movie is not appropriate for children.
LOTS of over-the-top brutal, bloody, and gory violence
Profanity, including lots of F-bombs
Disgusting images
Destruction
Vampire lore

THEMES:

Codependency
Toxic relationships
Standing up to bullies
The power of therapy
Power
Hope
Good vs. Evil
Narcissists
Being capable of change
Loving yourself
Taking full charge of your life

FUNNY LINES:

“Do you think it’s too late to grab one of those nuns?” – Renfield (Nicholas Hoult)
“Okay, maybe we’re dealing with a little bit more than narcissism here.” – Mark (Brandon Scott Jones)
“I never drink…wine.” – Dracula (Nicolas Cage) This is a line that was also used in Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula in 1992.

INTERESTING LINES:

“It’s never too late to be a hero.” – Rebecca (Awkwafina)
“You’re the monster, Renfield, not me.” – Dracula (Nicolas Cage)
“I deserve happiness.” – Renfield (Nicholas Hoult)
“I’ve only seen weakness in the hearts of men.” – Dracula (Nicolas Cage)
“In all the darkness, I can find the light.” – Rebecca (Awkwafina)
“Always remember, you’re the one with the real power.” – Mark (Brandon Scott Jones)