Film Review: RENFIELD (2023): Nicolas Cage Returns to Campy Form in A Horror/Comedy Hybrid

Renfield Review

Renfield (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Chris McKay, written by Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman and starring Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Brandon Scott Jones, Adrian Martinez, Camille Chen, Bess Rous, Jenna Kanell, Danya LaBelle, Rhonda Johnson Dents, Christopher Matthew Cook, Michael P. Sullivan, Rosha Washington, James Moses Black, T.C. Matherne and Caroline Williams.

Renfield, directed by Chris McKay, is an odd mix of comedy and horror that doesn’t always work perfectly but it’s still a great excuse for star Nicolas Cage to camp it up again playing the role of a modern day Dracula. Nicholas Hoult co-stars in the film as Renfield, Dracula’s servant. Renfield is really the star of the movie and is well played by the charismatic Hoult.

This is not your everyday Renfield, however. This Renfield goes to a support group to deal with the fact that he feels consumed by his obligations to the very demanding Dracula. These group sequences reminded me a bit of the support group scenes in Fight Club and are quite humorous in nature. If the movie works, and it mostly does, it’s because of the unpredictable nature of the scenes that develop in the picture as the plot progresses.

Awkwafina all but steals the movie as the New Orleans cop named Rebecca who is after a mob boss named Tedward Lobo (Ben Schwartz). Awkwafina may use the “F” word a bit much but it’s all in good fun as she eventually joins forces to take on Tedward Lobo and Dracula, himself, who eventually team up later in the picture. What’s most enjoyable about Awkwafina is her terrific energy and charisma. The character of Rebecca is dealing with crooked cops who are on Lobo’s payroll. So, when she runs into Renfield as he saves a bar of people from a potential mob hit, she feels a connection with Renfield who is so desperately trying to make a life for himself away from Dracula.

The movie opens with black and white footage featuring Cage’s Dracula and Hoult’s Renfield to show the passage of time. Renfield eats bugs as his primary source of energy by the way. Dracula recently got burnt to a crisp and needs to eat people again to grow back to “full power.” But, Renfield isn’t bringing Dracula the victims he so desires. Dracula wants nuns or cheerleaders to feast on, not mob guys per se.

There is a lot of action in Renfield that makes this film feel like a Hollywood oddity considering its horror movie pedigree. These action sequences revolve around the mob, of course, and Dracula, himself. There’s a bloody scene where Dracula invades Renfield’s support group. There are also graphic scenes of gore such as when Renfield’s guts spill right out after an attack. But, don’t worry Dracula will make sure he gets healed quickly.

Then, there’s the makeup and special effects to discuss which are both pretty good. Dracula is shown from being virtually skeletal to literally fully fleshing out as he eats his victims. The makeup is enough to complement Cage’s performance quite well. Cage revels in his role making the audience have a great time whenever he appears on screen. Cage goes for broke here and the result is a success.

Hoult, the movie’s lead, more or less, has a distinct personality which makes him easy to root for. Although his romance with Awkwafina’s character doesn’t feel too genuine in terms of romantic chemistry, the two performers play off each other rather well nevertheless.

The supporting cast is in solid form. Shohreh Aghdashloo has a grand ole time as Bellafrancesca Lobo, Tedward’s mom who tries to get rid of Renfield so her mob family can reign supreme. Meanwhile, Brandon Scott Jones has some juicy scenes in the support groups sections of the movie. Jones also has plenty of fun with his role and the audience will too.

This film also has a clever touch or two up its sleeve such as when Renfield rents a studio apartment and sees Dracula is waiting for him inside. Vampires are supposed to be invited in to go into a place and Renfield realizes his welcome mat was just the invitation Dracula needed to get in. Awkwafina keeps the movie grounded too as she seeks help from her sister (Camille Chen) to bring down the mob once and for all.

Renfield is tremendously entertaining despite its zaniness. It lacks focus since it goes back and forth between genres but, ultimately, provides the viewer with enough excitement to have a good time watching the movie. Nicolas Cage is in his glory here complete with his fangs and perfect comic timing. This is not the best Cage performance in recent years but it’s a clever throwback to the days when he was in his prime. Think of his turns in Leaving Las Vegas or City of Angels but way more bizarre.

Dracula gets a clever re-working in the offbeat Renfield which is a worthwhile effort that will keep horror fans and action/comedy lovers equally satisfied.

Rating: 7/10

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