Renfield
review by Bobby Blakey
Throughout the years there have been numerous films taking on the story of Dracula, but not near as many focusing on his servant the famed Renfield. Now The Tomorrow War and The LEGO Batman Movie director Chris McKay is teaming up with Nicolas Hoult to shine the spotlight on the character in this dark comedy aptly titled Renfield with none other than Nicolas Cage taking on the role of Dracula himself. The film has a great cast teaming up with Cage including Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz and Shohreh Aghdashloo, but can it bring the gory fun it promises or will it take a stake to the heart?
Renfield follows the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula. Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.
From the moment I heard Cage was cast as Dracula for this film I was excited. I didn’t know the direction they were going with it at the time, but just the idea of a Cage chewing up the screen as a vampire had so much potential for greatness. The trailers promised a vibe and insane, funny film and it delivered on every level with Cage bringing everything to the role I could have hoped for and so much more.
Cage looks like he is having the time of his life in this role, offering up easily my favorite performance of his to date. He embodies the classic Universal features Dracula, complete with nod to those films, while still bringing his own essence
to the insanity of the character. While he is tearing it up and stealing every scene he is in, it’s actually Hoult that is headlining the film and carries it to perfection.
He brings a tortured soul to the forefront longing for more while accepting his role as familiar. This film is really his journey to discover who he is and what he wants in life all while taking on bad guys and the dark lord himself. Hoult knocks it out of the park with his performance as well as the fights he does and it is plenty. Both Hoult and Cage have great chemistry together in their dysfunctional relationship and makes the entire film worth watching alone. Thankfully there is so much more here to love.
Side by side with Hoult is Awkwafina fully carrying her own. Normally more known for straight up comedy, she sines here in a more straight role and gets to dive right in with the action as well. They have great chemistry as well making it a double pairing of perfection that is just the right balance to square off against evil.
This film brings a steady stream of laughs without being a parody of itself or the genre as well as gallons of blood. They pull no punches with the gore and dismemberment to help elevate this film in the horror genre without trying to be scary or anything than exactly what it is. It infuses the action, comedy and horror worlds together for one of the best films of its kind in sometime. IS it silly? Of course, but it works at every turn and makes for a film I will no doubt be watching more than once.
I loved every moment of this film and can promise now that it will for sure be on my top ten of the year which keeps Cage on a role. I hope we get more fun like this from Cage in the future. In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including deleted & extended scenes, alternate takes, commentary, featurettes and more. Grab your copy of Renfield when it hits digital, Blu-ray and DVD on June 6th from Universal.
