Renfield’s a fun, albeit lightweight, take on Dracula and his bug-eating minion, lifted by the entertaining performances of Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage. There are exploding heads, an ample smattering of blood, guts, and gore, and the creative use of disembodied arms as weapons. But for all its onscreen carnage, this R-rated horror comedy is really just a campy good time, forgettable yet enjoyable enough while it lasts.
It’s a no-brainer to cast Nicolas Cage as Dracula, and the Oscar-winning actor sinks his teeth into the role with a joyous, demented glee. Very seldom is Renfield’s Dracula viewed as an actual threat to humanity, despite the film’s simple plot which suggests Dracula is positioning himself as a god who desires to be worshipped by his food source.
The film sets up the relationship between the Count and Robert Montague Renfield via black and white footage, with Cage and Hoult recreating Bela Lugosi and Dwight Frye’s encounter in the 1931 classic horror film. That setup makes perfect sense when you consider Renfield director Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The LEGO Batman Movie) views this film as a direct sequel to the original.
Renfield’s convinced to give up his life as a husband, father, and real estate lawyer to become Dracula’s servant and familiar. However, after nearly 100 years of trapping meals (i.e.humans) for his master, Renfield’s ready to get out from under the narcissistic creature of the night’s thumb.
But how does a servant of evil shake off the chains binding him to a bloodsucking monster? By seeking advice from others caught up in unhealthy co-dependent relationships.
Renfield joins a support group and although his dilemma is in no way similar to his fellow attendees, he’s able to pick and choose applicable pieces of wisdom. With a newfound sense of self, Renfield manages to rent an apartment, choose a wardrobe that wasn’t in style in the ’30s, and at least momentarily refrain from inflicting bodily harm on innocent humans. As for the not-so-innocent…what’s the harm in ridding the earth of those tormenting his self-help group friends?
While on a quest to capture one of his friend’s oppressors, he accidentally gets caught up in a drug deal involving local mobster Tedward Lobo (Ben Schwartz) and the Lobo crime family. He also manages to insert himself into a deadly fight between the only decent cop on the New Orleans police force (played by Awkwafina) and the Lobo mob.
Of course, Dracula’s not about to release his servant just because Renfield’s had a change of heart about his circumstances and wants to make amends for past bad deeds. Dracula isn’t used to not commanding Renfield’s full attention and reacts like a petulant child. If Renfield won’t furnish him with busloads of cheerleaders and other tasty treats, he’ll find others willing to do his bidding and help further his quest for world domination.
Nicholas Cage’s performance is exactly what you’d hope a Cage as Dracula performance would be. Unfortunately, the Prince of Darkness is just the supporting player in this horror comedy. The title is Renfield – not Dracula. But when Dracula’s off the screen, Renfield misses his presence. Now that we’ve gotten a taste of Cage as the Count, it’s obvious he deserves to be the titular character in more horror than comedy-skewing sequel.
Nicholas Hoult does a terrific job making Renfield a sympathetic and likable guy, despite his decades of fetching innocent victims for his master to suck dry. Hoult plays Renfield as tortured and remorseful, yet somehow still kind of sweet and earnest. Renfield does what he’s told, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. His struggle to break free of Dracula’s grasp is surprisingly touching, as is the relationship he forms with Awkafina’s Rebecca the cop and the self-help group.
Renfield, with supernatural skills enhanced by the consumption of bugs, takes on cops, mobsters, and a wide assortment of thugs in exceptionally gruesome fight scenes. The body count is probably among the highest of any Dracula film, but that’s due to Renfield and not his bloodsucking boss.
Renfield focuses on the psychological impact of being part of a toxic, co-dependent relationship, which sounds rather heady. It’s not. Screenwriter Ryan Ridley and director Chris McKay never let things get too serious, and they’ve packed the cast with actors who can pull off the absurdity of Dracula’s familiar seeking help with an unhealthy employment situation. (Ghosts’ Brandon Scott Jones is a standout as the self-help group’s leader.)
Renfield could have benefited from more Nicholas Cage and less police drama. Toss in a few more scenes of Cage and Hoult facing off, and you’ve got something special. Still, at a swift 93 minutes, Renfield’s a fun enough romp that won’t tax your brain.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: R for some drug use, language throughout, bloody violence, and some gore
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Studio: Universal Pictures
