Renfield

Cage was born for this role. He's not in the movie as much as I would've liked though. I was expecting him to go full Nic Cage mode here, but he takes a slightly different approach and it works pretty well.

The gore is amazing with some really spectacular dismemberments and blood effects. They're really fun to watch. Only issue I had with it is the CGI blood doesn't stain clothes, walls, and floors etc so it kinda gave an unfinished look.

Then there's Awkwafina. She can't act at all. Her line delivery is terrible. I have no idea why she keeps being cast in so many movies. She plays a cop but I didn't buy a second of it. If her role was switched with the woman that plays her sister the movie would been better.

I don't think anybody is going into Renfield thinking they're going to see an oscar winner. They're going in expecting a fun, comedic thriller about Dracula's servant, with an excellent Nicolas Cage performance. On that front Renfield delivers. The jokes are hilarious punches at the Dracula lore presented, the action is over the top and ridiculously bloody, and the story is servicable enough to satisfy. My only issue with the film is there are parts where the dialouge feels like it was written by a teenager and there are certain illogical plot holes that seemed to just be an issue as far as editing goes. If the filmmakers had just switched a few scenes around, they could've avoid that. They also show you a lot of the good scenes in the trailer, but there was still more fun to be had besides that stuff as well. Overall, an enjoyable experience that doesn't overstay it's welcome with a brisk 90 minute runtime. I would recommend this on Cage's performance alone, but the film also stood up on it's own as well.

3.5 victims out of 5.

This was an incredibly silly and fun movie that you really don't have to think too hard about.

The humour is arguably the best part of the film, and I had many laugh out loud moments. Nicholas Hoult delivers as our lead, Awkwafina plays exactly what you'd expect which suits the role well, but Nicholas Cage as Dracula is just fantastic. He hit the tone perfectly with this one, scary, funny, manipulative, honestly the perfect casting for this horror comedy.

It's not a perfect film, the action; whilst enjoyable, is at times incredibly difficult to follow exactly what us happening - which is a problem with a lot of movies now days. They're also some silly plot holes, as well as just not enough as Nick Cage as you'd like, but overall it really doesn't matter.

If you're looking for a horror comedy with some very gory and silly moments, you've come to the right place. Fans of Cage are going to love this one.

Over the top chaotic fun with buckets of blood and gratuitous violence. Both Cage as Dracula and Hoult as Renfield are superb with excellent acting and an authentic master/servant relationship.

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The plot wasn't as special as it could have been, but it's still pretty good and the moral message is well woven in between the frequent fast paced action scenes.

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Great special effects, makeup and use of music, but it did feel a bit of a mish-mash at times and there wasn't as much comedy as I was expecting.

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Overall, I would score this film as a seven out of ten.

Renfield is a lot of fun, a fast paced 90 minute horror comedy that's diversions from its core idea are still funny and never on screen long enough to derail it. Underneath all the unapologetically over the top gore is a really heartwarming story about understanding and appreciating your own self worth.

Nicholas Hoult cements his skills at comedy with another really funny performance and Renfield's lack of confidence and journey to find it is just really endearing. Awkwafina is obviously equally strong when it comes to comedy and this role also offers a few dramatic moments as well.

Ben Schwartz adds another funny supporting performance to his resume, having definitely made up for Sonic 2 now. The best performance and strongest aspect of the whole film is easily Nicolas Cage as Dracula. He brings the Cage elements you expect whilst still having an intimidating presence. Even though he gets enough screen time, more Dracula would've been appreciated.

Chris McKay's direction is really good, the film may lack an overall style but he makes sure the film is generally stylish with well implemented slow motion, energetic and well shot fight scenes and the odd montage. Also, this and 2020s The Invisible Man prove the Dark Universe being cancelled before it could get off the ground was the best thing as these films are way more unique and interesting.