B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Chris McKay’s Renfield into the ol’ VCR. 

Let’s be honest. I’m, in no way, surprised at how much I enjoyed Renfield. With Nic Cage as Dracula, Nicholas Holt as Renfield, and both Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz involved, there wasn’t a lot of room for failure. 

Renfield is one of those movies that reminds you why you love going to the theater. It’s the perfect combination of comedy, cheese, and Count Dracula. Renfield also does a wonderful job of staying faithful to its source material (unless you count the CGI rendering of the original footage with Nic Cage and Nicholas Holt’s faces on their respective characters) but also revamps (pun intended) the characters we’ve seen over and over before. 

He’s come a long way from yelling about alphabetizing. 

You’ll get a sweet serotonin boost as Renfield evolves from spineless servant to heartful hero. You’ll be happy for him and his little, colorful apartment and wardrobe. You’ll find yourself rooting for a character who is trying his best while also ripping limbs from countless villains. 

Also, Ben Schwartz essentially plays Jean-Ralphio Saperstein by the way of Tony Montana, and it’s an absolute delight. 

Also also, I’m mad at each and every one of you for not telling me how hot Nicholas Holt is. I don’t know if it’s because he’s giving big “I can fix him” energy or what, but boy howdy. I digress. 

Seriously. All of you are going straight to jail for keeping this from me. 

Renfield is exceptionally gory; however, it’s so outlandish and cartoonish that I think those with a weak stomach and/or those who aren’t horror movie fans could handle it. People in my theater laughed at some of the more gruesome scenes, to put things in perspective. 

I don’t want Renfield to meet the same fate as other big franchises, but I would like to see another movie with this cast. And, I do think the ending leaves the possibility open. Again, I don’t want this movie diluted down to a never-ending comedy horror franchise, but if there’s a sequel, I’ll be there. 

So friends, head on down to your movie theater of choice, grab a popcorn and soda (or full meal, depending where you are), and snuggle in for a good time. I command it.