(L to R) Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in director Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’
Opening in theaters on April 14th is the brand new comedy-horror movie ‘Renfield,’ which is predicated on a narrative by Robert Kirkman (‘The Walking Dead’) and was directed by Chris McKay (‘The Lego Batman Movie,’ ‘The Tomorrow War’).
What is the plot of ‘Renfield?’
In ‘Renfield,’ Dracula’s (Nicolas Cage) lackey, R. M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult), finds a brand new lease on life in modern-day New Orleans when he receives encouragement from a help group to lastly stand as much as his creator in hopes of breaking freed from his servitude.
Meanwhile, a visitors cop named Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina) discovers that she is surrounded by corrupt cops as she tries to show that mob boss Ella Lobo (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and her son Teddy (Ben Schwartz) murdered her father. Renfield and Rebecca quickly meet and fall in love, however their relationship turns into difficult when Dracula awakes and begins working with the Lobo crime household. Now, Renfield should arise in opposition to his grasp earlier than he takes over the world, and assist Rebecca carry her father’s killers to justice.
Who is within the solid of ‘Renfield?’
‘Renfield’ stars Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage (‘Face/Off,’ ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’) as Dracula, Nicholas Hoult (‘The Menu’) as R. M. Renfield, Awkwafina (‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’) as Rebecca Quincy, Adrian Martinez (‘Focus’) as Chris Marcos, Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’) as Teddy Lobo, and Oscar-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (‘House of Sand and Fog’) as Ella Lobo.
Initial Thought
‘Renfield’ is a fully entertaining film, which is each very humorous and likewise very scary, as was supposed. Director Chris McKay balances the film’s two distinct tones very nicely, whereas Nicholas Hoult’s robust efficiency anchors the movie. But its Nicolas Cage’s spot-on and over-the-top efficiency as Dracula that basically makes the humor and the horror work so nicely collectively.
Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Story and Direction
While the story was created by ‘The Walking Dead’s Robert Kirkman, who is aware of a factor or two concerning the horror style, the screenplay was written by Ryan Ridley, who does a fantastic job creating a brand new solution to inform the Dracula story. Although the character of R. M. Renfield has appeared in a number of different Dracula motion pictures, that is the primary time we’ve seen the traditional Vampire character via the lens of his servant, which feels recent and thrilling. Ridley additionally balances the comedy and the horror nicely within the script, permitting director Chris McKay to navigate each tones all through the film.
In truth, ‘Renfield’ could also be one of the best instance of a real horror/comedy since director Sam Raimi’s traditional ‘Evil Dead II.’ I’m not an enormous fan of horror by itself, however when performed proper and blended with one other style, it could actually actually work to create one thing new, because it does right here. But it’s the well-written character-driven moments that basically elevate the movie, particularly these between Renfield and Dracula, which appears extra like a protracted marriage than a boss/worker relationship.
McKay started his profession in animation and directed the good ‘The Lego Batman Movie,’ earlier than transferring on to live-action with the Prime Video film ‘The Tomorrow War.’ With ‘Renfield,’ McKay proves that he can deal with live-action in addition to animation, and create a considerate and entertaining style film with an enormous title star like Nicolas Cage, whereas nonetheless balancing the movie’s distinct tones. McKay additionally contains some wonderful motion sequences which can be rather well shot and choreographed, and add to the joy of the movie.
(L to R) Nicholas Hoult and Joseph Mikel in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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What are Renfield’s Powers?
Renfield has related powers to Dracula, together with super-strength and the power to maneuver in a short time, however he doesn’t obtain them from consuming human blood, as an alternative he positive aspects his power from consuming bugs. In the film, the character carries round somewhat field of bugs that he can eat when at risk, which permits him to make use of his powers for a brief period of time.
(L to R) Benjamin. Schwartz and Nicholas Hoult in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay.
© 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Nicholas Hoult’s Performance
Nicholas Hoult’s efficiency as R.M. Renfield is each the anchor and the center of the film. We see all the opposite characters and occasions via his eyes, and in some ways he’s on the emotional core of the movie. From the opening body, Renfield desires to higher himself and get out from below Dracula’s clutches, which is why he enrolls in a help group. His relationship with Rebecca can also be a motivating drive in his want to vary. Through that relationship and Renfield’s actions, we get to see one other aspect of the character, because of Hoult’s emotional efficiency.
Hoult is a superb actor however is usually solid in secondary roles that don’t showcase his abilities in addition to they might, like his position in ‘The Menu,’ for instance. But in ‘Renfield’ Hoult is entrance and middle and virtually carries the film’s emotion and narrative on his again. Hoult is fantastic within the position, humorous, unusual, emotional, and even scary at instances, whereas additionally authentically performing the motion sequences. The actor has nice chemistry reverse Cage, and provides the most effective performances of his profession thus far.
Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Nicolas Cage is Dracula!
Nicholas Cage was uniquely certified to painting Dracula, and I can’t consider some other actor that would carry the identical stage of gravitas and outrageous humor to the position. It’s excellent casting! Cage accesses his personal unusual public persona to play Dracula, whereas additionally channeling each the legendary Bela Lugosi (who performed the well-known vampire many instances) and even somewhat little bit of Elvis Presley to create the odd character.
But creating odd characters is Nicolas Cage’s bread and butter, and the actor does it once more right here, actually “sinking his teeth” into the over-the-top efficiency and creating one thing fully completely different and charming. You can inform Cage is having enjoyable in each second and is totally commanding within the position. He additionally has nice onscreen chemistry with each Hoult, and actress Shohreh Aghdashloo.
Awkwafina as Rebecca in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Why Awkwafina’s Character Doesn’t Work
I’ve all the time appreciated actress and comic Awkwafina’s work, however she was miscast as Rebecca. The actress is simply not plausible as the one New Orleans police officer that isn’t corrupt. Obviously, she is a really humorous actress and has labored nicely in comedic roles in motion pictures like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon.’ But she can also be a formidable dramatic actress and was nominated for an Oscar for her work in ‘The Farewell.’
However, in ‘Renfield’ the actress is requested to do each comedy and drama on the similar time, and it simply doesn’t work. For instance, after having a battle along with her sister over discovering their father’s killer, an clearly dramatic scene, the actress does a humorous stroll for comedic impact. It makes the scene unintentionally humorous and it doesn’t match the tone of the remainder of the movie. The actress makes her scenes with Hoult and their character’s relationship plausible, however appears misplaced all through the remainder of film.
Benjamin Shwartz as Henry in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The Lobo Family
Ben Schwartz is usually solid in comedic roles, and to be trustworthy, his model of humor often doesn’t work for me. But in ‘Renfield,’ the actor is completely solid as Teddy Lobo, a spoiled mama’s boy who desperately desires to be revered by his mafia household. Schwartz’s specific model of self-deprecating humor lends itself nicely to Teddy’s whiney persona and the actor has some very humorous moments with each Hoult and significantly Cage.
And whereas her position is small, Oscar-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo is nice as Teddy’s mother, mob boss Ella Lobo. The actress accesses the right amount of gravitas and humor for the half, and has some very humorous scenes with Cage and Schwartz. In truth, the concept Dracula would get up in 2023 and align himself with the mafia is already comedy gold, and the movie explores that concept nicely.
(L to R) Nicolas Cage and Shohreh Aghdashloo in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Final Thoughts
In the top, ‘Renfield’ is a surprisingly entertaining film that’s as humorous as it’s scary. Director Chris McKay crafts an gratifying romp, whereas Nicholas Hoult brings R.M. Renfield to life, and Nicolas Cage takes an enormous chew out of Dracula.
‘Renfield’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula in director Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’
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‘Renfield’ is produced by Universal Pictures, and Skybound Entertainment. It is about to launch in theaters on April 14th, 2023.
Source: www.moviefone.com