🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Chris McKay
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Action, Fantasy
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (108K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 58%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A guy with a bug-eating problem tries to leave his toxic boss who’s really, really into capes.
🍿 Renfield: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Toxic Relationship Begins
The movie opens by retelling Dracula’s origins and how he met Renfield. This sets up the dynamic between the master and servant, highlighting Dracula’s manipulative nature and Renfield’s increasing disillusionment. Dracula’s power relies on Renfield’s servitude.

Finding a New Path
Seeking a way out of his co-dependent relationship, Renfield joins a support group and begins to question his role in Dracula’s evil schemes. He starts to identify abusive tendencies in Dracula, and craves a normal life. This is the beginning of his rebellion.

Alliances and Betrayals
As Renfield attempts to break free, he becomes entangled with a police officer, Rebecca Quincy, who is fighting the Lobo crime family. Meanwhile, Dracula forges an alliance with the Lobos, leading to a bloody confrontation. The alliances emphasize the movie’s themes of power and control.

Dracula’s Wrath
Dracula discovers Renfield’s betrayal and retaliates by slaughtering Renfield’s support group friends, pushing Renfield to a breaking point. This event underscores Dracula’s cruelty and possessiveness, solidifying Renfield’s resolve to defeat him. He decides that he must stop his master at any cost, marking his complete shift to independence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Renfield (Nicholas Hoult): Dracula’s long-suffering familiar seeks to break free from his codependent and toxic relationship with his master.
- Dracula (Nicolas Cage): The iconic vampire and Renfield’s narcissistic master, who relies on his servant to procure victims.
- Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina): A determined police officer seeking to bring down the Lobo crime family, who forms an unlikely alliance with Renfield.
- Tedward Lobo (Ben Schwartz): The spoiled and incompetent son of a crime boss, who seeks to prove himself by taking down Renfield.
- Bellafrancesca Lobo (Shohreh Aghdashloo): The ruthless matriarch of the Lobo crime family, who seeks to maintain her family’s power and control.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dracula: “I am the darkness!” – Dracula dramatically proclaims his power and nature when confronting Renfield.
- Renfield: “I want out. I want a life.” – Renfield expresses his desire to break free from his codependent relationship with Dracula during a support group meeting.
- Renfield: “He’s not just my boss, he’s toxic!” – Renfield complains about his toxic relationship to his support group.
- Dracula: “You think you can just leave me?” – Dracula angrily confronts Renfield after discovering his attempts to lead an independent life.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $65,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $17,297,895
- Worldwide Gross: $26,493,921
💥 Renfield Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting total Cage-level craziness, and I wasn’t disappointed! His Dracula is amazing – pure, unadulterated fun. I laughed so hard when he was just casually monologuing about world domination while looking fabulous. Hoult is great too, I really felt for Renfield wanting to break free. The support group scenes were hilarious and actually kinda touching. If you’re looking for a wild, bloody, and funny ride, this is it. I’m definitely watching it again!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror-comedy films”
- “Viewers who enjoy over-the-top gore and action”
- “Nicolas Cage fans”
- “Anyone interested in stories about escaping toxic relationships”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Strong language”
- “Depictions of abusive relationships”
- “Drug use”
Professional Reviews
- Film Frenzy: “Renfield is a riotous blend of horror and comedy elevated by Nicolas Cage’s manic performance. The film’s over-the-top gore and creative action sequences provide ample entertainment, though the plot occasionally feels stretched thin. Still, Renfield is a bloody good time, perfect for those seeking a darkly humorous escape.
- IndieWire: “Renfield successfully reimagines the Dracula mythos with a modern, comedic twist. Nicolas Cage’s scenery-chewing portrayal of Dracula steals every scene, while Nicholas Hoult delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance. Though the narrative is uneven, the film’s inventive action and dark humor make it a worthwhile watch.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Renfield delivers a fresh, entertaining take on the classic Dracula tale, thanks to its sharp writing and committed performances. Nicholas Cage is brilliant as Dracula, and the film’s blend of horror and comedy is skillfully executed. While some may find the gore excessive, it serves the film’s darkly humorous tone.
Audience Reactions
Nicolas Cage’s Dracula was the highlight, bringing a unique and memorable interpretation to the iconic character.: Viewers loved the film’s blend of horror and comedy, finding it to be a refreshing take on the Dracula story.
The over-the-top gore and action sequences were a hit with audiences, providing plenty of thrills and laughs.: Many praised the movie’s fast pace and fun tone, making it an enjoyable and entertaining experience.
Overall Consensus: Renfield is a wildly entertaining blend of horror and comedy, driven by strong performances and over-the-top action. While some found the plot uneven, the film’s unique tone and Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Dracula made it a memorable experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Nicolas Cage has said that his performance as Dracula was inspired by Christopher Lee’s Dracula, Frank Langella’s Dracula, and especially by the look of Bela Lugosi.”
- “The film incorporates footage from the 1931 Dracula film starring Bela Lugosi, seamlessly blending it with new scenes to establish the long-standing relationship between Dracula and Renfield.”
- “Director Chris McKay aimed to create a film that felt like a direct sequel to the classic 1931 Dracula movie.”
🖥️ How to Watch Renfield?
Renfield is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV where you can rent or purchase the film. Check your local listings as it may also be available through cable providers on demand. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) are also sold by major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Renfield, you might like these similar films:
- What We Do in the Shadows (2014): Shares the comedic horror tone, focusing on the everyday lives of vampires in a mockumentary style, which parallels Renfield’s blend of horror and humor.
- Army of Darkness (1992): Features over-the-top gore and comedic action, similar to Renfield’s approach to violence and dark humor.
- American Psycho (2000): Explores themes of narcissism and toxic relationships with a darkly comedic edge, resonating with Renfield’s portrayal of Dracula as a narcissistic boss.
- The Suicide Squad (2021): A modern, darkly comedic action film with a focus on quirky characters and excessive violence, akin to Renfield’s blend of genres.
🛒 Renfield Related Products
- Renfield Blu-ray: Own Renfield on Blu-ray and dive deeper into the making of the film with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes. A must-have for collectors!
- Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood (T-Shirt): A high-quality t-shirt featuring artwork inspired by the movie. Made from comfortable material, it’s perfect for casual wear and showing off your love for Renfield.
- Dracula (Nicolas Cage) Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: A stylized collectible figure of Nicolas Cage as Dracula from Renfield. Captures the character’s iconic look and menacing presence in Funko Pop! form.
- Dracula: An Illustrated Edition of the Unabridged Classic: Delve into the dark origins of the Dracula mythos with this stunning, illustrated edition of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Explore the chilling tale that inspired Renfield and countless other stories.
🎧 Soundtrack
Renfield features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Renfield was primarily filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. This location provided a fitting backdrop for the film’s blend of gothic horror and modern crime elements.
No, there is no post-credit scene in Renfield. The credits themselves contain snippets of the film and added footage in a old-fashioned style.
While Renfield can be seen as a continuation of the Dracula story, it functions as a standalone film focusing on Renfield’s perspective and his struggle for independence. It does contain references and nods to the classic 1931 Dracula film.
Renfield gains supernatural strength and abilities by consuming insects. This gives him enhanced fighting capabilities, making him a formidable opponent.
🔥 Bonus Content
#RenfieldMovie | A Look Inside Featurette
Wondering how this Dracula tale came to life? Check out this featurette for a peek behind the scenes of ‘Renfield’ and hear from the cast and crew about their experiences.
Renfield – Movie Review
Curious about what critics think of ‘Renfield’? This review by Jeremy Jahns gives a detailed analysis of the film, exploring its strengths and weaknesses. Find out if it lives up to the hype!
Renfield – Movie Review
For a different perspective on ‘Renfield,’ check out Chris Stuckmann’s review. His insights and humor make this a must-watch for anyone considering seeing the movie!
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