“Reinfield”
Rating: ★★★
Director: Chris McKay
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage and Awkwafina
Premiere: 4/14/23
The film Reinfield centers on the uneasy alliance between the legendary vampire and his devoted human keeper. Nicolas Cage delivers a memorable turn as Dracula, bringing a strange, theatrical bite to a character who has long lived in the shadow of myth and cinema. Nicholas Hoult plays the loyal servant, whose own arc travels through loyalty, fear, and a surprising tenderness that strains under the weight of a story that asks for more bite and fewer giggles. The movie leans hard into horror comedy, framing its moments of terror and grotesque humor with a wink that is hard to ignore. This blend is where Reinfield most clearly shines, offering a carnival of excess that is visually striking and audacious in tone.
One of the film’s strongest selling points is its unapologetic flamboyance. Dracula on screen should feel ancient, magnetic, and a little dangerous, and Cage embodies those traits with a purposeful, gleaming intensity. The production design embraces baroque splendor—draped capes, opulent decors, and a sense of ritual that amplifies the supernatural mood. The deliberate excess aims to celebrate the familiar myth in a new, brash light, which at times lands with a thrilling jolt. Yet, that same excess can blur the emotional center of the story, leaving moments of genuine gravity unearned or lost amid noise and spectacle.
From a storytelling standpoint, Reinfield sometimes stumbles. The screenplay tries to pack in too many ideas and derivative beats, creating stretches that feel repetitive rather than revelatory. A recurring therapy group episode, meant to reveal psychology and pathos, ends up overexplained and repetitive, tugging the pace away from the film’s core momentum. In places where the plot could breathe and reveal character through restraint, it instead bursts into loud, frantic exposition. The result is a balance that tilts toward chaos, making it hard to track the emotional throughline or to invest fully in the relationships on screen.
Character work mirrors this tension. Hoult and Cage spark moments of connection, but the dialogue and setup often shortchange these opportunities. The conversations can feel perfunctory, as if the script is chasing a fast rhythm rather than nurturing a patient, character-driven tempo. There are flashes of humor that work, thanks to confident performances and precise timing. But other gags derail the drama, reminding the audience that the film is more interested in spectacle than the quiet, character-centered scenes that could give those moments weight.
On the technical front, Reinfield brings a strong visual language to the vampire mythos. Close-ups of Dracula reveal not only the danger but the humanity that Cage plays with a knowing, almost mischievous gleam. The camera treats his expressions like a living relic, a reminder that this vampire has lived through centuries and continues to be shaped by every sight, sound, and shock. Yet the heightened editing rhythm often interferes with the action’s clarity. When battles or chase sequences arrive, the tempo becomes chaotic rather than exhilarating, leaving audiences unsure of how the moves connect or whether the choreography stands up under scrutiny.
Still, the film’s commitment to a bold, theatrical vibe persists. It embraces a world where horror and comedy occupy the same stage, sometimes harmoniously, sometimes discordantly. The spectral lighting, the ornate set pieces, and Cage’s magnetism create a horatory fever dream that can be thrilling in the right mood. The suggestion of a Dracula who remembers every moment he endures on screen makes an impression every time the camera lingers on his face. In those moments, Reinfield feels like a celebration of a familiar myth reimagined with a fearless, unapologetic flair.
Overall, Reinfield is a mixed bag. It offers shards of brilliance—Cage’s performance, the visual audacity, and a willingness to push the tonal envelope. It also stumbles where the script overreaches and where pacing grows slack. Viewers seeking a tight, emotionally resonant Dracula story may find the excess exhausting. Those craving a fearless blend of horror and humor with a trace of theatrical ambition will likely stay with the film long enough to appreciate the bravura moments that land with a memorable punch. In short, it is a bold, imperfect ride that leaves a lasting impression even when it doesn’t fully stick the landing.