Movie Breakdown: Renfield

Pre-Screening Stance:

Even if Renfield didn’t look like it was going to be entertaining, I’d be down to watch it just to see experience Nicolas Cage going all out as Dracula.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Renfield doesn’t always work, but with a quick pace (the runtime is barely 90 minutes) and a really fun turn from Nicolas Cage as Dracula, it does just enough to warrant your time. The film is centered around its titular character (Nicholas Hoult), who has long been Dracula’s trusty familiar (or right hand man, if you prefer). After a night out in which he saves a police officer, Rebecca (Awkwafina), he decides that it’s likely a good time to finally move on from the Dark One. This is, of course, much easier said than done because you don’t break up with Dracula, he breaks up with you. Or something.

Anyhow, when Cage is on the screen, that’s when Renfield really shines. His performance is a mishmash of classic versions of Dracula + a good dose of rock star energy, and while there’s probably something to be said about leaving the audience wanting more, I do actually wish there had been more of Cage in the movie. When he’s not around it’s pretty much just your standard horror comedy with a lot of action, which is fine, and there’s enough of a hook to be had from Hoult’s nice-guy routine, but it’s difficult to not see all the pieces that are there now and imagine something grander. Oh well. At least the film works well enough as is.

Renfield opens in theaters today, April 14. Go and have some fun with it.

One Last Thought:

If you’re like me and have been creeping towards being done with Awkwafina’s shtick, then be prepared for her forced performance in Renfield to slam you right into that station. Her agent needs to book her some non-comedic roles for the next year or three.