FilmSnobReviews

Title: Renfield
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Chris McKay
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

What It Is: Renfield (Hoult) has been the personal assistant to the ultimate evil, Dracula (Cage) himself for quite a long time. He’s beginning to feel as though it might be an abusive relationship. As he begins to discover this Dracula begins to realize his assistant might have wandering eyes. When police officer Rebecca (Awkwafina) needs help taking down both a crime family and a corrupt station Renfield feels the need to be the one that helps her. Supercharged by eating bugs Renfield sees THIS as his way out.

What We Think: What a fun stupid movie. It’s violent as hell and really a good time. Nicholas Hoult is quite good here and you reall get the sense that Renfield is a scared puppy for most of it. So when the characters arc turns it sorta works and it works because Hoult is good in this but it isn’t enough to make me believe in the character on whole. Awkwafina is fine here. She plays her role but seeing her as a cop was a weird thing. This film though is about one thing, one…performance. That of one Mr. Nicolas Cage. He embodies Dracula in such a way that the camp and kitsch of it is hilarious.

Our Grade: B-, An unhinged Ben Schwartz was also pretty fun to see. This is one to check out for sure. It’s funny and fun and doesn’t require much in the way of brain power to navigate. Turn it on, laugh and just enjoy this one. It’s available on VOD now and is perfect to watch at home. Director Chris McKay’s background is mainly animation. That’s obvious at certain points in this when you look at his shot selection. Nonetheless this film is fun enough to hold attention even if it lacks a rewatchability.