Renfield (2023) [Spoiler-Free] – Quick Review

Renfield stars Nicholas Hoult as the title character, opposite Count Dracula played sadistically by Nicolas Cage. In this modern-day narrative twist, we get to see what the relationship between Dracula and Renfield is through Renfield’s perspective. Namely, Renfield accepts that he is in an abusive relationship and seeks group therapy to improve his life – which definitely won’t sit well with the blood-sucking Count.

Nic Cage understands that we are currently living through a Nic Cage Renaissance. I’m sure he’s always been living through one, but now the rest of us have been invited to tag along. After years of starring in a barrage of straight-to-streaming movies to pay off debts, he recently emerged a to reclaim his rightful place as one of Hollywood’s most eccentric weirdos. He wasted no time getting right back into roles that showcased his talents and his range. The best part about this resurgence is we get to watch an elder Nicolas Cage who is unencumbered and has nothing left to prove. He is at his best here.

Nicholas Hoult also delivers a fun performance. While Cage just chose to be a Dracula we haven’t yet seen, Hoult channeled Dwight Frye’s take on Renfield from Universal’s classic 1931 Dracula, but through that channeling, he added more depth to the character than we were given 92 years ago. Though, he does have more to work with than simply eating bugs and being a creep. Hoult is a solid performer in nearly everything I’ve seen him in, and Renfield is no exception. The first time I took notice of him was in 2013’s Warm Bodies in which he plays a zombie who falls in love, so it feels right seeing him in Renfield again putting a sympathetic spin on an otherwise detestable horror character.   

This isn’t high art. This is a goofy popcorn flick that genuinely has heart and an original twist on an old character. But ultimately, it’s mostly held up by the performance of an actor living his best life as a walking meme. So just check your brain at the door and enjoy the wild, gory ride.