Renfield- A Weird Combination that Works...for some

Comedy Horror is probably my favorite genre, and Renfield did that well. There were laughs, there were screams, and there were moments where both reactions were applicable.

I kept feeling like there was something different compared to other films that mixed those two genres, but it took going through the Blu Ray extras (because I'm old and need a "thing" when I own something) to figure it out.

This film isn't just a comedy horror...

Its a comedy-horror-Eighties buddy action flick.

As a fan of all three, I had a blast with it, but it was confusing until I had a better grasp of what was going on. They did use impressive practical effects for the gore, but it was enhanced to go far over the top of that digitally.

Overall it looks like a combination of Fright Night and Mortal Kombat.

It's definitely not a film for everyone. Rosa was put off by the gore and profanity. Anabelle, who likes a fair amount of ultra violent (comedy) horror flicks, wasn't a fan. She has the same reaction to the Eighties Action Films.

While the three mix, there is some compartmentalization.

Rebecca (Awkwafina) has a story that clicks all the boxes of the police shoot 'em ups of my youth. She's connected to a weird partner, opposing an massive and evil criminal organization, uncovering corruption in the local police force, avenging the loss of her father who was also on the force, and rescuing a more level headed sibling, also in law enforcement.

Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) is the source of most of the humor. Placing a classic horror character (as illustrated by some fantastic recreations of scenes from the 1931 Dracula) into modern self help and group therapy situations is the source of a majority of the situational comedy. There are elements of what the Evil Dead gang would call splatstick as well. 

Then there's Nicholas Cage as Count Dracula. There is minimal comedy on screen as his take on the master vampire is played straight for the most part. He's terrifying, and the bizarre combination of influences he was inspired by (ranging from Christopher Lee, to Anne Bancroft in the Graduate, to his own father's posh Mid Atlantic accent) creates a menacing monster. This is whether he's in his wretched and horrible looking "healing stages" or at full and terrifying power. 

Bonus points to Shohreh Aghdashloo as Bellafrancesca. While most of the mobsters working for her add to the humor with their incompetence, she's every bit as frightening as Dracula himself. 

The film does very well with the incorporation of many of the classic Hollywood and Folklore vampire rules moved into a modern setting, using them for both plot points and gags.

There are two additions which are solely to tell this specific story.

1) Renfield gaining super powers when consuming bug is important both for laughs, and to bridge the gap between horror, and Buddy Action Film.

2) Dracula's blood being a "no strings attached" cure all is needed for several sections of the story to work, and for a happy ending to be achievable.

One final thought, which is somewhat of a spoiler. 

I have often joked about how complex and multi-staged getting rid of a vampire would have to be if ALL of the methods listed in all stories and legends had to be employed.

I've never seen it executed (pun intended) on film before.

It was quite impressive.