‘Renfield’ is a brutal horror comedy and a direct sequel to the 1931 horror classic ‘Dracula’. The film recaps many of the films iconic moments in its introduction but with Nicolas Cage as Dracula and the Nicolas Holt as the titular Renfield.
‘Renfield’ expands on the Dracula lore and is a worthy sequel to the original film in its own right, but its genre skews more a meta comedy than horror. The gore is over-the-top and the film often leans into farce, but modern themes about overcoming toxic relationships help ground the film. Nicolas Holt alongside Awkwafina commit to their performances as characters who both evoke pathos. Nicolas Cage is unhinged, often in the best way, in his portrayal of Dracula. The film demonstrates that he can and does play a menacing Dracula in the moments he reigns himself in.
‘Renfield’ is an enjoyable modern take on Dracula. Although it is less lighthearted than I expected, it functions well as a dark comedy carried by the leads performances.
MY STAR RATING 3/5 STARS
Check out the various iterations of Dracula available at The Brown Deer Public Library.
