10 Best Horror Comedies Of The 2020s (So Far)
3. Renfield
On paper, Renfield sounds like a parody on par with Dracula: Dead and Loving It. After all, the titular character (Nicholas Hoult) unlocks superpowers by eating bugs and the film stars meme factory himself, Nicolas Cage, as the Transylvanian count.
But as soon as it starts, it's clear Chris McKay's horror gem is a love letter to vampire lore, flawlessly recreating shots from 1931's Dracula. Although certain viewers expect Cage to ham it up, the Con Air star takes the role dead seriously, portraying Dracula as both a master manipulator and an irredeemable monster.
But what really sells Renfield is the surprisingly touching script. Unlike other adaptations where Renfield is depicted as Dracula's spineless servant, the lead character finds himself trapped in a codependent relationship with his bloodsucking master. Unable to endure Dracula's torrent of abuse any longer, Renfield joins a self-help program in the hopes of finding independence. Even though the writing is superb, Hoult's performance as Renfield elevates the film completely.
It bombed at the box office, which is a massive shame, since Renfield is one of the funniest and most riveting horror-comedies in recent years.