REVIEWS BY MAX
Renfield is an action-horror-comedy about toxic relationships and codependency that never manages to unify the subgenres that fight against one another within it, but still entertains thanks to an ensemble cast having too much fun. -- Matt Donato, IGN The titular Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) is the tortured aide to his master, Nicolas Cage’s Dracula. For centuries, Dracula has forced Renfield to do his bidding, but now the lackey seeks to discover a life outside this monstrous shadow. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows Renfield's journey to end his codependency and break free from Dracula's control. Renfield finds a self-help group for codependency and forms an unlikely alliance with Rebecca Quincy, a second-generation police officer (Awkwafina) who is on the hunt for a high-level criminal, Teddy Lobo. Renfield and Quincy work together to bring down the Lobo crime family, while attempting to evade Dracula's wrath. Dracula soon learns of Renfield's betrayal and sets out to destroy him and his allies. As Renfield and Quincy face off against both the Lobo crime family and Dracula, they discover that Dracula has empowered several gang members with supernatural abilities, making their fight for justice even more challenging. The biggest strength of the film remains the scene-chewing devilishness with which the masterful Cage throws himself into this role. His hypnotizing lothario ways aiming for kills and blood, the insane and abusive relationship he has with his aide that he is not ready to give up at any cost, and his villainous ways
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are a stronghold on the viewers whenever he appears on screen in this supporting role. Nicholas Hoult also entertains riding the line between an action figure slaying bad guys here and there and the helpless, depressed, laconic aide trying to get ahead in life and branch out with something new. Other supporting characters provide much entertainment in their roles with production design, costumes, and make-up, etc full adding to the entertainment value of the movie. What ultimately brings down the movie is the Rebecca-related subplots involving the crime family. The movie begins with a promise to show a psychiatrist’s eye view of the Dracula figure with Renfield serving as our way into the lives and mindsets of these fantastical characters. If the movie had kept its focus on Renfield’s honest attempts at ending his Dracula connection, either by developing a conscience or through his love for Rebecca, the film could have been a unique analysis piece dissecting an abusive relationship and the struggles of the guilty and dependent aide in finding redemption and freedom. Despite the shortcomings, the movie remains a boon for all lovers of the horror-comedy-action genre and fanboys of Nicholas Cage’s spectacular and rousing list of madmen portrayals.
