Renfield

Renfield is a film that promised a lot, with its impressive cast and its mix of gore and comedy. The trailer was energetic and foreshadowed a devilishly entertaining experience. Unfortunately, despite all the promising ingredients, the film failed to reach its full potential.

One of Renfield's strong points is undoubtedly the cast. Nicholas Hoult, known for his talent for awkward humor, delivers a solid performance as Renfield. His acting is convincing, and he manages to bring a certain empathy to a character usually portrayed as a pathetic sycophant. Awkwafina also brings her usual charm and energy to the role of Rebecca, the cop who allies herself with Renfield. However, the chemistry between Hoult and Awkwafina leaves something to be desired, which slightly weakens the romantic aspect of the story. But the real highlight of Renfield is undoubtedly Nicolas Cage's performance as Dracula. Nicolas Cage was born to play outsized, eccentric roles, and his interpretation of Dracula is no exception. He brings a touch of madness and excitement to the character, licking his lips with disturbing excitement and bulging bloodthirsty eyes. He's both carnal and seductive, making the character captivating to watch.

Renfield's plot offers an intriguing premise, reframing the relationship between Dracula and Renfield as a toxic marriage. The film focuses on Renfield, who after decades of servitude to Dracula, finds himself in a support group for those addicted to co-dependent relationships. It's an interesting angle that explores the notion of empowerment and self-sufficiency. However, the development of Renfield's narrative arc lacks depth and subtlety. The character's redemption is too predictable and simplistic, which detracts from the potential complexity of his journey. The film's pacing is another weak point. There's something wrong with its editing, giving the impression that transitions between scenes have been poorly handled. You get the impression that certain sequences could have been shortened or deleted to maintain a faster pace. This creates a slight gap in the film as a whole, giving the impression that something is missing.

As for the gore aspect of the film, Renfield doesn't disappoint. The scenes of violence are exaggerated and cartoonish, with blood splatters and spectacular dismemberments. If you have a high tolerance for on-screen violence, these scenes might make you cringe, but they probably won't stop you from enjoying your dinner after the film. However, for more sensitive souls, these scenes might be difficult to watch. Unfortunately, the humor in Renfield often falls flat. Despite the presence of talented comedians, the jokes fail to elicit the hoped-for laughs. The comic moments lack punch and seem forced, which is disappointing given the film's comic potential.

Renfield is a disappointment. Despite a promising cast and an intriguing premise, the film fails to deliver the expected humor and energy. It would have benefited from stronger execution, a better balance between horror and comedy, and a more thorough development of Renfield's narrative arc. In the end, Renfield loses itself in confusing subplots and fails to realize its full potential.

Renfield
Directed by Chris McKay
Written by Ryan Ridley
Story by Robert Kirkman
Based on Dracula by Bram Stoker
Produced by Chris McKay, Samantha Nisenboim, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert
Starring Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Nicolas Cage
Cinematography : Mitchell Amundsen
Edited by Zene Baker, Ryan Folsey, Giancarlo Ganziano
Music by Marco Beltrami
Production companies: Skybound, Giant Wildcat
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : March 30, 2023 (Overlook Film Festival), April 14, 2023 (United States), May 31, 2023 (France)
Running time : 93 minutes

Viewed: May 15, 2023 (VOD)

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