Movies - The Rental, ready for a new great and original horror movie

By Mulder, 22 may 2020

“ The Rental was inspired by my own paranoia about the concept of home-sharing, and I think the best way to contextualize the film is with a quote from the founder of AirBNB: “We want to build a website where people publicly post pictures of their most intimate spaces: their bedrooms, the bathrooms— the kinds of rooms you usually keep closed when people come over. And then, over the internet, they’re going to invite complete strangers to come sleep in their homes. It’s going to be huge!” The country is as divided as it's ever been and no one trusts each other, yet we trust staying in the home of a stranger simply because of a few positive reviews online. This felt like a good jumping off point for a grounded thriller, which could tap into real world fears. Nothing is scarier than something that feels like it could actually happen. I was inspired by films like The Shining, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Blue ruin and Hereditary, all of which elevate the thriller/horror genre beyond cheap jump scares. I wanted to imbue a sense of dread starting from the opening frame, that slowly builds and creates tension, even in moments when nothing overtly scary is happening on screen. It's a fear that creeps up on you and lingers long after the film is over, as you start to look back on every rental home you've ever stayed in.” – Dave Franco

The Rental is an upcoming American horror film, directed by Dave Franco in his directorial debut, from a screenplay by Dave Franco and Joe Swanberg, from a story by Franco, Swanberg, and Mike Demski. It stars Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, and Toby Huss. It is scheduled to be released on July 24, 2020, by IFC Films.

In March 2019, it was announced Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand and Jeremy Allen White had joined the cast of the film, with Dave Franco directing from a screenplay he wrote alongside Joe Swanberg. Dave Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Ben Stillman, Teddy Schwarzman, Swanberg, Christopher Storer are serving as producers on the film, under their Ramona Films and Black Bear Pictures banners, respectively, while Michael Heimler and Sean Durkin will serve as executive producers. Principal photography began on April 22, 2019.

The Rental, Dave Franco’s directorial debut, is an atmospheric, character-driven thriller/horror that imagines what can happen when we willfully put our trust in absolute strangers based solely on a few positive reviews online. Both incredibly relatable and uniquely hair-raising, the film explores themes of trust, surveillance, and prejudice and how the growing gig economy sacrifices safety in the name of convenience. An auspicious debut driven by exceptional performances and focused on surprising, funny, and tense character dynamics, The Rental announces Dave Franco as an exciting filmmaking talent.

The Rental stars Dan Stevens (Legion, Call of the Wild), Golden Globe nominated Alison Brie (Glow, Horse Girl), Sheila Vand (A girl walks home alone at night), and Jeremy Allen White (Shameless, Homecoming). The film is co-written and directed by Dave Franco. The director of photography is Christian Sprenger (Atlanta, Glow). The production designer is Meredith Lippincott (Never rarely sometimes always, Bad education). The costume designer is Kami Lennox (Frank and Lola, SMILF). The music is composed by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans (The Outsider, Boy Erased). The film is produced by Dave Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman, Christopher Storer, and Joe Swanberg. Swanberg (Easy, Drinking Buddies) also co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by Franco & Swanberg & Mike Demski. Executive producers are Michael Heimler and Sean Durkin.

In April 2020, IFC Films acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for a July 24, 2020, release.

Synopsis :
Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a whole new light.

The Rental
Directed by Dave Franco
Produced by Dave Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman, Joe Swanberg, Christopher Storer
Written by Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg
Story by Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg, Mike Demski
Starring Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby Huss
Music by Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans
Cinematography : Christian Sprenger
Edited by Kyle Reiter
Production companies : Black Bear Pictures
Distributed by IFC Films
Release date : July 24, 2020 (United States)

Photos : Copyright IFC Films

(Source : press release)