10 Times Horror Directors Admitted They Went Too Far

10. Renfield

Chris McKay's horror-comedy Renfield serves as a Dracula adaptation from the POV of Drac's minion, Robert Montague Renfield. Recognising that he's trapped in a toxic partnership with his malevolent master, Renfield tries to break away and start his life anew.

It may have bombed spectacularly at the box office, but Renfield was praised for its performances, especially from Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage, and it also explored codependency in a way that was surprisingly informative and touching. The film was likewise commended for its creative violence, which, despite being bloody, came across as bombastic rather than scary. 

However, Universal didn't feel the same way. In one interview, McKay said the studio raised concerns about how “disgusting” some of the bloodshed was, especially in a scene where Dracula is heavily injured after being exposed to sunlight. Though McKay didn't want to compromise the project, he admitted some of the violence was too extreme, encouraging him to dial back the brutality in certain places.

Despite those concerns, the studio gave McKay quite a lot of leeway, letting him push the gore and practical effects, then adjusted them if needed.