Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Renfield Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 5, 2023

It's not as if the world of Dracula in cinema has been a staple of consistency in tone, style, or narrative devices: quite the contrary. The character has starred in classic films, blockbuster films, exploitation films, comedy films, teen films, and the list goes on and on...and on some more. So, it should come as no surprise that in 2023 Renfield arrives, a derivative and foul-mouthed gorefest about...not much, really, beyond splattering the screen with blood. The film aims to take a bite out of Dracula lore by bridging the gap from the early days of the character to today, but the film suffers from overindulgence that relegates story to second place in favor of the visceral elements that drown out any effort to world and character build along the way.

In this modern monster tale of Dracula's loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history's most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master's prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there's a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.

Renfield exists inside a near total vacuum of dramatic worth. The film moves from one set piece, dismemberment, and blood splatter to another with some rhyme and reason behind the advance but no real depth to the advance. Any dramatic currents are trivial at best. Characters are poorly developed, even the two mainstays in Dracula and Renfield, and the rest are bodies that add no real value to the experience. The film certainly stays in its lane, however, and puts its focus on the external experience, which will please audiences looking for a brain-off movie, but those seeking something more substantial in the Dracula lore will be left unimpressed by the film's gory focus.

Renfield is very enthusiastic about its material, and it is unabashedly full throttle in terms of violence and language. It's also lean at about 90 minutes, resulting in a fast pace for its mayhem to soak the screen in carnage. The cast is also enthusiastic, delivering performances that don't play to or pander for a higher standard but rather gleefully fall in line with the tone and style and play up the over-the-top excess that defines the film. Audiences looking for something that is full speed ahead and unapologetically kinetic, chaotic, and bodily catastrophic will fall in love with Renfield, but audiences seeking a more structured and balanced film will not find it here.

Renfield Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Renfield's 1080p transfer is solid top to bottom. There is some source noise to contended with in places, but beyond that the image is stable and enjoyable. Clarity is excellent. The digital photography produces complex details that reveal all of the practical gore for all it's worth, enough to send more squeamish viewers to the bathroom. Facial details, clothing seams, and location details also thrive, offering excellent tactile definition, but the main attraction here in terms of visual robustness is certainly the messy, complex gore. Colors are bold and vivid, including, of course, blood (and lots of it). The full spectrum delivers intense but accurate tones that leap off the screen with fullness and faithfulness. Black level depth is terrific, too, and skin tones look very good through a broad spectrum, including Cage's pale Dracula face.

Renfield Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Universal brings Renfield to life on Blu-ray with a rather striking DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is wonderful, offering substantial surround extension with both discrete and motion elements in play. Sounds routinely zip and zing, swoosh and swing through every inch of the stage. Action scenes offer substantial immersion. Listeners will never feel as if they are watching the film from the periphery but rather engaged directly throughout the stage. Clarity to these motion elements is wonderful, and the track handles balance and placement with consistent excellence. Musical depth and detail are wonderful, too, with the front right and left channels carrying the bulk. Surrounds heft some of the material, too, again in excellent balance. Atmosphere is nicely defined in quieter moments, and dialogue is clear, centered, and well prioritized throughout.

Renfield Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Renfield contains several extras. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p, 17:31 total runtime): Included are Open, Lobo Compound & Murder Room, Renfield's Dance!, Mark Gives Renfield Advice, Newscaster, Lobo Gang Meet Dracula, Coda Kill, and Apartment Fight.
• Alternate Takes (1080p, 3:18): A collection of uncategorized and untitled alternate takes from a few scenes.
• Dracula Uncaged (1080p, 4:48): A quick look at Nic Cage's performance as a classic vampire.
• Monsters & Men: Behind the Scenes of Renfield (1080p, 12:35): Looking at project origins, plot points, new ideas, old ideas, cast and performances, costumes, shooting locations, props, and more.
• Stages of Rejuvenation (1080p, 6:15): An in-depth look at the Dracula character's look throughout the film.
• Flesh & Blood (1080p, 5:23): Looking at the blood and gore in the film.
• Fighting Dirty (1080p, 6:12): Fight scenes style, training, stunt work, choreography, and execution.
• The Making of a Deleted Scene: Renfield's Dance! (1080p, 3:34): Making a dance number that got deleted from the film.
• Audio Commentary: Producer Samantha Nisenboim, Screenwriter Ryan Ridley, Post-Production Editor Noah Cody, Supervising Sound Editor Nancy Nugent, Supervising Sound Editor John Marquis, Digital Colorist Supervisor David Cole, Visual Effects Supervisor Jamie Price, and makeup effects artist Christien Tinsley discuss the film from a myriad of different, but ultimately converging, perspectives.

Renfield Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Renfield does not strive for much beyond pushing sight and sound to extremes. Audiences looking for a gore- and raunch-fest will find it here, but those looking for a more substantial Dracula picture need look elsewhere. One cannot really blast Renfield for being so empty considering the wide range of other fairly derivative films within the character's long and storied cinema career, so in many ways Renfield is simply filling another void in the ever-expanding world of Dracula on the silver screen. Universal's Blu-ray is well rounded, offering rock-solid video and audio paired with a fair allotment of extras. Fans will enjoy this Blu-ray release.