HCA Gradebook: “Renfield”

Movie: Renfield
Plot: ​​Evil doesn’t span eternity without a little help. In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Emmy nominee Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men franchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, and Brandon Scott Jones.
Director: Chris McKay
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Studio: Universal Pictures
Number of Graders: 30
Overall Grade: B

James White says, “Under the direction of Chris McKay (working from a script by Ryan Ridley, itself spawned from an idea by The Walking Dead‘s Robert Kirkman), Renfield is a blast of entertainment: funny, gory (one action moment involves Renfield tearing a henchman’s arms off and beating others with them) and wild. It’s stylish, and goofy, and has some of the most enjoyable, inventive stunt work outside the John Wick franchise. Renfield deserves to be Universal’s next big horror (or horror-adjacent) hit.”
Grade: A

Nancy Tapia says, “The film was better than what was shown on the trailer. Nicholas Cage and Nicholas Hoult had a great chemistry on screen, including the moments of vulnerability. Cage’s performance as Dracula left me wanting more. Unfortunately, the film did lose me in the scenes with Awkwafina, I just didn’t see her fit the character she played.”
Grade: A-

Staci Layne Wilson says, “There are a few gross-out moments I could have lived without but the unrestrained gore is wildly entertaining and jaw-dropping, to say the least. Renfield is rated R and while there is no nudity it doesn’t hold back on language and violence—throats are slashed, limbs are severed, intestines roil, and bodies burst into flames with regularity throughout the 93-minute runtime.”
Grade: A-

Patrick Beatty says, “This is a hilarious and honest premise that’s packed inside one of the bloodiest and gleefully horror films I’ve seen in a while- and I loved every minute of it. This is my favorite film of 2023 so far, and if you are a fan of the great Nicolas Cage- you are in for a treat.”
Grade: A-

Alexander Robinson says, “Renfield is another interesting take on a Classic Universal Monster, but done in a more comedic fashion. Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula is crewing up so much scenery in this movie that you’d expect the walls to have bloody fans marks all over the place. That’s how entertaining he is, but the rest of the movie is still engaging. Nicholas Hoult as the title character is great, and his story with trying to find peace from his toxic relationship with Dracula is very relevant for today’s standards. It’s a story that also sticks with the idea that a lot of the old Universal Monsters were misunderstood outcasts themselves. It adds a little more depth to a movie that features a bunch of faceless goons exploding into geysers of blood. It takes awhile for the movie to get going but once the second act kicks in, it’s entertaining from that point onward!”
Grade: A-

Zachary Pope says, “Renfield is AWESOME. A GIGANTIC SURPRISE that had me laughing, reacting, screaming, & dying for the next scene. Cage is SO Dracula & Hoult is AMAZING as Renfield. It answers the question… what if Mortal Kombat had Dracula? (I’m serious) Horror Action Comedy all wrapped in one.”
Grade: B+

Nestor Bentancor says, “A glorious Nicolas Cage brings Dracula to life with unhinged gusto! Relentlessly fun, the action-horror comedy puts a fresh spin on the vampire lore with a sharp script, perfect casting, and vibrant execution.”
Grade: B+

Maggie Ma says, “This Dracula is really the most scary one I’ve seen. It’s hilarious but it’s a horror movie with lots of blood and gore. Glad Awkwafina has much bigger role than I expected. She is funny and lovable as usual also did plenty of cool action scenes.I love Nicolas Cage’s dramatic performance. Although there are way too much blood spilled in the movie, it talks deep about how to get out of abusive, toxic relationship.”
Grade: B+

Mara Knopic says, “Renfield toed the line between taking itself seriously enough to have a plot and character development, but threw caution to the wind with Nic Cage doing … whatever it was he was doing – and it worked. Nicholas Hoult is charming as ever and had a natural chemistry working against Nicolas Cage. There are some fantastic laugh of loud moments, including several truly memorable bits of comedic violence. Both Nics really seemed to have fun with this film and it is certainly a fun watch if this is your type of humor.”
Grade: B+

Lupe Rodriguez Haas says, “Renfield is not just another vampire movie. The horror-comedy takes what we know about the genre and twists the familiar tropes for laughs, led by the perfect casting of Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as his overworked servant Renfield. If you like Kick-Ass, Renfield is in the same vein.”
Grade: B+

Nikki Fowler says, “Nicholas Hoult is the perfect Renfield, he’s charming, charismatic, and perfectly channels the loyal Dracula assistant who is having second thoughts. The action and fight scenes were comical but definitely serious and deadly and will give any horror fan one good time at the theater. Nicolas Cage brings every ounce of the legend that he is to Dracula, and his dry wit, humor, and thirst for death was spectacular. The film’s cinematography and score were incredible and will have you sitting through every last credit. While Awkwafina gave it a good attempt, the essence of her character Rebecca as the gracious and ethical daughter of her slain father and police force captain, seemed lackluster. The chemistry with Renfield as a love interest was forced and not there at all. Cage and Hoult, however, save the film completely, as well as does Rebecca’s successful FBI agent sister, Kate, portrayed by Camille Chen, who is a natural on screen. Would have loved to have seen more of Shohreh Aghdashloo and Nicolas Cage’s characters in action, female crime boss x Dracula, that was the real chemistry.”
Grade: B+

Jami Philbrick says, “Renfield takes an entertaining bite out of the Dracula mythology. Nicolas Cage is perfectly cast as Dracula and really sinks his teeth into the role, while Nicholas Hoult’s strong everyman performance anchors the film.”
Grade: B+

Nicholas Spake says, “Renfield may not be the deepest film about toxic relationships, but it is a satisfying breakup movie that can also function as a fun date movie. Interestingly, a toxic relationship was also at the roots of Universal’s last monster reboot, The Invisible Man. We probably won’t see these two franchises collide, but it would make for a more intriguing experiment than the Dark Universe. In any case, Renfield is just the right amount of silly, gory, and insightful. And how can you go wrong with Nic Cage as Dracula? Now if we can just get him to play an MCU villain, we’ll be set.”
Grade: B

Rick Hong says, “Renfield, is a clever premise that doesn’t take itself too seriously with fun performances by Nicholas Hoult, Awakwafina and an interesting take on Dracula by Nicolas Cage.”
Grade: B

Sari Cohen says, “Renfield is a fun cinematic experience that brings the genre a fresh twist. McKay adds a unique vision to the vampire genre, creating a new classic that is a visual treat for audiences, while the chemistry between Cage and Hoult creates a dynamic on-screen duo. The film’s pacing is also spot-on, with a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and action that keeps viewers engaged throughout the entire runtime.”
Grade: B

Sean Chandler says, “Renfield is a wild, fun time. While the central plot is actually familiar, the ultra-violent, campy Dracula skin wrapped around it pumps some new blood into it. The big stand out, of course, is Nic Cage as Dracula. He gives a classic over-the-top Cage performance which only he could deliver. I feel like the movie would be fun but forgettable if Cage wasn’t Dracula. But with Cage pulling everything together, it’s an enjoy film for fans of campy ultra-violence.”
Grade: B

Griffin Schiller says, “Renfield is a fun, violent, campy romp that harkens back to the genre mashups of the 00s that engages with the history and legacy of Universal’s iconic vampire through his domineering, life draining, abusive relationship with his familiar. A bit needlessly complicated for its own good, but a fresh and frenzied action comedy all the same.”
Grade: B

Sara Clements says, “Serving up a delicious platter of wacky comedy, zesty action and a hammy Nicolas Cage performance, Chris McKay’s Renfield earns a spot on the year’s best comedies. While the laughs do wane as the film goes on, it’s hard to dismiss how much of a bloody good time it is. McKay and writers Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman craft a modern reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic work by shifting its lens away from Dracula and to his servant, Renfield. This in turn brings affecting awareness to the signs and dangers of codependency.”
Grade: B

Dan Murrell says, “Renfield could have gone the easy route, coasting on its premise and casting of Nicolas Cage as Dracula. Instead, it’s an often funny film, allowing Cage to fully interpret the well-worn Dracula character and showing again that Nicholas Hoult is a legitimate leading man, able to juggle comedy, drama, and action beats. The movie is at its best when it focuses on the Renfield/Dracula story; other subplots involving a local crime syndicate and a cop played by Awkwafina don’t hit as well. But it’s an enjoyable 90 minutes at the movie, and that’s not bad.”
Grade: B

Aaron Neuwirth says, “The premise may be thin, but thanks to a wickedly unhinged performance from Nicolas Cage and reliable work from most of the other stars, this incredibly gory vampire comedy provides a fun enough take on the Prince of Darkness…and the one who does his bidding.”
Grade: B-

Chauncey K. Robinson says, “Renfield has bite, but never fully goes for the jugular. The dark-comedy has great moments and plenty of gore, but at times falls short with uneven pacing and abrupt editing choices. 

Nicolas Cage shines as the Prince of Darkness himself, but his presence feels under-utilized. Nicholas Hoult will make audiences root for his salvation as the long suffering servant Renfield, while Shohreh Aghdashloo is always a powerhouse whenever she’s on screen. Unfortunately, Awkwafina feels like a miscast in her role as the quick to anger, but brave police officer seeking justice. This makes for less than interesting scenes between her and Hoult, as the audience will long for more moments of Cage. Overall, it’s a fun film with a good amount of heart and a slew of fun characters, but viewers wanting something with a bit more substance may be left underwhelmed.”
Grade: B-

Wendy Lee Szany says, “Renfield delivered exactly what I was hoping for. Hilarious and bloody. Great chemistry between Hoult and Cage. Would have liked to see more for Awkwafina’s character but overall this was a fun time in theaters.”
Grade: B-

Dana Han-Klein says, “Nic Cage as Dracula is unhinged and brilliant casting but the film could use more of the star and less of the convoluted side plots.”
Grade: B-

John Nguyen says, “The casting of Nicolas Cage as Dracula was a great choice in Renfield. The film is violent and bloody, and the action scenes are made all the better because of it. There’s not much else in terms of plot, but if you want a bloodbath, this should fit the bill.”
Grade: C+

Matthew Creith says, “Renfield is chock full of hilarious quips and gory fights that rival the unnecessary violence of “Cocaine Bear” from earlier this year. Cage is at his utmost Cage-ness as Dracula, playing up the famed vampire cliches but with a modern twist. He is tailor-made for the farcical role, taking a menacing character and making him amusing. But something is lacking in the movie when Cage is not onscreen, as Aghdashloo and Schwartz are not believable criminal characters in this flick to make their villainous personas worthwhile.”
Grade: C+

Nate Adams says, “Early on in Renfield, a gory homage and spiritual sequel to the lore of Dracula, there’s a hint of promise suggested by writers Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman in how Dracula’s servant (or familiar as they’re called) Robert Montague Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) is having an identity crisis about his purpose. Namely a moral conundrum with serving up innocent human beings for supper. Not that this idea is anything new (see “What We Do in the Shadows,” which is funnier and more grounded than anything here), but the screenplay wanted to explore how Dracula, who is played with the utmost gravitas and snarky malice by Nicolas Cage, is a gaslighter hellbent on world domination. Renfield captures that idea in spirit, but not before detouring into a mosh pit of nonsensical violence, horrendous dialogue, and a major subplot involving a local crime mafia family that’s led by, er, Ben Schwartz?”
Grade: C

Matt Neglia says, “Renfield is at its best when Nicholas Hoult & Nicolas Cage go wild in this bloody comedy. Lots of gore, gruesome makeup & over-the-top humor. Not everything works but I appreciated the attempt to tell this story from such a fresh angle about a twisted co-dependent relationship.”
Grade: C

Michael Lee says, “Nicholas Cage and Nicholas Hoult explore toxic relationships and codependency in this vampire workplace comedy. While it has some sharp fangs, the number of unfleshed concepts leaves itself wondering where to bite.”
Grade: C

Ryan McQuade says, “An absolutely fantastic, committed performance from Nicolas Cage can not save a rather predictable film like Renfield from being anymore than just fine. With so much lure and potential, the film goes down so many safe avenues. It’s hard to see what it was really trying to do and thus the final it hasn’t nothing really new to say within the genre. Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina do their best but are failed by a muddled script. Some effective kills but the action sequences really run together after a while.”
Grade: C-

Anthony Digioia says, “Nicolas Cage as Dracula in a hyper-violent horror comedy should be a recipe for magical ridiculousness, yet Renfield is sadly just ridiculous. The humor is basic and routinely predictable. The story is also overtly simple with little to sink your teeth into. Cage is certainly trying. Schwartz is overacting to the point of distraction. With Hoult and Awkwafina conjuring a modest chemistry. A few chuckles land here and there but as a whole, this was a missed opportunity.”
Grade: D+