Should I just call this review, why for FUCK'S SAKE did this flop?!?!?
I will never understand the movie-going public. People complain that there is nothing original or they complain that everything is a sequel or remake, and when a gem comes along, you ignore it.
ARGH!!!!
Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Dracula in "Renfield" is deliriously over-the-top. Cage's performance as the Prince of Darkness is full of startling outbursts and unexpected inflection, with sprinklings of charm. It's a natural evolution 35 years after "Vampire's Kiss," as he's now fully wallowing in this mythological monster's unquenchable thirst. Cage's performance in "Renfield" is consistently entertaining, even when the film as a whole is less so.
Nicholas Hoult's performance as Renfield is adorably flustered, with flashes of assertiveness when his character is called upon to kick ass. "Renfield" mixes understated comedy with graphic violence in a way that's too cartoonish to be shocking or scary. This combination works, inspiring laughs and gasps in equal measure.
Chris McKay's "Renfield" is a contemporary telling of a familiar tale. The central dynamic is that Renfield is sick of being stuck in a toxic, co-dependent relationship with his narcissistic boss. The opening shot shows a close-up of a nametag that says, "Hello, My Name Is Renfield" as he sits in a circle at a self-help meeting.
Truthfully, the material meant to beef up the story is bland and unnecessary. Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse) and Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog) are ultimately useless but check your brain at the door. I will watch them in ANYTHING! At its core, "Renfield," is a cheerfully gory film that understands that sometimes all you want from a movie is 93 minutes of absurdity.
The Count is playing the second banana in the movie, but he is still a main attraction. Cage seems to be having a great time. Hoult externalizes Renfield's turmoil with precision and a mellifluous voice-over. He invests the character with a tenderness that lets us see the person he was before he went astray. He also helps sell some flirty business with a local cop, Rebecca (Awkwafina), who is always a welcome addition to any cast.
"Renfield" is a cracking, fun satire. It delivers excessive cartoonish violence, such as a henchman getting his arms taken off by airborne serving trays and Renfield having trouble keeping his intestines in place. Bodies are exploding everywhere, and you just need to hold on for the ride!
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