‘Renfield’ Review: Nicholas Hoult Emerges From The Shadow Of Nicolas Cage’s Needy Dracula In Amusing, If Bloody, New Take On Classic
Cage’s part, though meaty, is actuallyas the emphasis turns to the long-suffering assistant who was tasked with bringing his boss’ prey directly to him, consuming bugs of all sorts in order to get superhuman powers to conquer them, and basically taking the fall for anything this narcissistic vampire does not find to his liking.It is all a very clever way Universal has found to reboot one of its crown jewels and bring the monster franchise back to theatrical life.
Learning of a self-help group that specializes in people in toxic relationships, he shyly shows up one day, finally getting his turn to share the story of hisdisastrous relationship, never quite spelling out it is actually Dracula himself. These scenes are deliciously witty and serve as nice anchors to all the more standard mayhem.
Meanwhile, there is the issue of dealing with Drac himself, and once the blood-sucker gets wind of Renfield’s new outlook on life, including a complete fashion and personal makeover, a colorfully appointed apartment and other accoutrements to which he doesapprove, he pays a visit to his new digs and figures out his next move aimed right at the unsuspecting group who are about to face the wrath of Dracula.
Yes, the filmmakers could have lost some of the relentless bloodletting, and gone more with the humor in terms of maintaining a more even tone, but it is still a lot of fun, thanks especially to Hoult who is perfectly cast here, and of course Cage who, no shock, nails this role.
Producers are McKay, Kirkman, David Alpert, Samantha Nisenboim, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst. Universal opens it on Friday in theaters only.
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