Renfield (2023)

The film that started it all. I have to thank this film for starting my vampire hyperfixation. I first watched it in 2022 with 2 friends. I only watched it because My Chemical Romance was part of the soundtrack, haha. This was such an entertaining and campy movie. It was fun and campy, and I enjoyed how it framed Dracula and Renfield as a toxic romantic relationship. Nicholas Cage was a lovely Dracula! I loved his mannerisms and his voice acting in this film. The way he moved his body in his scenes was eye-catching. And his wardrobe was just lovely. I had fun exclaiming "bro's dripped" every time he appeared. And of course, Nicholas Hoult was a marvelous Renfield. What a soggy, pathetic man. No notes on Hoult and Cage as they both went above and beyond for their roles. Rebecca Quincy's character, played by Awkwafina, was a sweet reference to Quincey Morris. At least, I assumed that's what she was. I think her performance was fine, but I was not that invested in her character's story. 

I wish they had lessened the cop scenes as they took up a bit too much of the film's time. The Lobo family was amusing to watch, and they were a good way to incorporate Quincy's police side into the plot. While I have not rewatched this film over and over again like I do with Dracula 1931, I still have to applaud this film for introducing me to the wonderful world of vampires. Yes, this was the first vampire film I watched. Yes, I watched Twilight after seeing this movie. After seeing Renfield, I watched other vampire films as well, namely Dracula (1931) with Bela Lugosi and Bram Stoker's Dracula with Johnny Depp. Before all of that, though, I read the Dracula novel by Bram Stoker upon finishing Renfield (2023).