Universal Pictures has had a long history with horror movies and icons - especially a certain novel by Bram Stoker that focuses on a legendary vampire from Transylvania who thirsts for blood and is served by a man who has a terrible relationship with his master. In what is definitely a very different take on the dynamic that's usually presented to audiences, director Chris McKay and comic book writer Robert Kirkman put the spotlight on the servant and how he comes to terms with that toxic relationship, and we get "Renfield" - a truly unique and hilarious horror comedy that takes master and servant to the modern world and sees the latter break out of his master's shadow and abusive nature.
Thanks to Universal Pictures Philippines and SM Cinema, I got to see a screening of "Renfield" last Monday - and sure enough it's as horrific as it is hilarious - with a very relevant exploration of how one can break free from an abusive and toxic relationship as well!
Renfield | Final Trailer (2023)
Led by the very talented duo of Nicholas Hoult and the legendary Nicolas Cage as R.M Renfield and Count Dracula respectively, "Renfield" acts as a quasi-sequel to the 1931 "Dracula" movie starring the late Bela Lugosi as the lord of vampires. In this movie, master and servant have survived through the decades by travelling the world and claiming victims - with Dracula bestowing Renfield supernatural abilities as his "familiar" and granting him immortality as well. However their relationship is far from perfect - with the co-dependecy nature of things finally taking its toll on our titular character as he seeks advice from a self-help group on how to deal with a toxic relationship.
Also starring comedians Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz, "Renfield" has a pretty solid cast of talents that will definitely fire up the theater with good ol' horror tropes and laughs while giving the titular character the spotlight to break free from his vampire master's clutches and seek redemption. Nicholas Hoult absolutely carries the movie as its lead who is timid yet learns to finally become a better version of himself, while Nic Cage sells his version of Dracula by hamming it up the best way he can. It comes full circle from his statement of "I'm a Vampire!" from Vampire's Kiss, and he delivers a great and nasty performance as the vampiric force sometimes called Nosferatu! Definitely recommended!
Horror movies are definitely something that require a brave face and courage - especially on things that involve the supernatural and have been well-documented to exist in real life. The subject of possession and those taken over by an evil spirit in particular is a constant battle the Catholic church faces, which of course requires a priest to exorcise the victim with the power of faith, prayer, and belief in God and his divine works of mercy. One particular figure who specialized in that practice is the late Father Gabriele Amorth - an Italian priest who was the Chief Exorcist Priest of the Vatican and whose files have inspired the events of the new horror film "The Pope's Exorcist".
Directed by Julius Avery and starring Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth himself, The Pope's Exorcist is set in the late 1980's and deals with the priest's battle to save a child possessed by a demon in an abbey located in Spain. With the boy's family distraught and with only a young Spanish priest named Father Esquibel to assist him, Amorth battles the evil while also uncovering a conspiracy that the Vatican itself has hidden. With deep secrets revealed and personal battles fought, it will truly be the greatest challenge the Pope's personal exorcist will face.
Definitely not for the faint of heart but absolutely a treat for those who enjoy and fancy watching things dealing with the supernatural, The Pope's Exorcist is something that should get horror fans and those who want to learn more about possession and exorcism invested. It's a horror movie with elements of action, suspense, and comedy - things that Russell Crowe carries over very well with his charismatic and very charming portrayal of Father Gabriele Amorth. While it doesn't break new ground and follows in the footsteps of similar films like "The Exorcist" and "The Rite", this is a good film to take the uninitiated into to learn about some very real battles the church and the faithful face - showing just how important it is to believe in a the power of God and prayer in the battle against evil.
The Pope's Exorcist in now showing in cinemas courtesy of Columbia Pictures Philippines!
.jpg)
