Renfield (2023)

In Our Vampires, Ourselves, scholar Nina Auerbach argues that each age gets the vampires it deserves. So what does 2023’s Renfield say about the age we live in? Here, we have a Dracula who is completely unsexy and unseductive, and who, motivated by betrayal, sets his sight on world domination, willing to team up with anyone who will get him there, turning a family crime organization into his army of undead. Sure, it reflects the pettiness of certain politicians, and sure, the concept of the movie is fun—Renfield, Dracula’s servant, attending support meetings for people in codependent relationships, tries to break free from Dracula’s clutches. And sure, there are some nods to previous portrayals of Dracula (picture Nic Cage as Nosferatu), but overall there is a flatness to this film: Most of the acting is flat, the characters are one dimensional, and there is no chemistry between the actors, especially between Renfield and Officer Quincy. It feels like a comic book, but not in a good way (I like comic books). Or it feels like an over-the-top action movie, attempting to amp up the absurdity of the kills (and it is violent and gory, though also totally silly) for laughs. Of course, it is possible for gore and comedy to feed off each other in a satisfying way, but this film never quite finds its tone. It feels like there was a better movie to be made with the central idea—one that doesn’t totally jettison the lore of Dracula. I know what you are thinking: Can Nic Cage as Dracula save this movie? And the answer is no. Though he is still by far the best part of the film, it isn’t enough. If you want to see Nic Cage as a wannabe Dracula, watch Vampire’s Kiss instead. 2 out of 5 sacs of blood.

—Gina Myers