Today’s setting is the classic screen found at Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema, with very apt red velvet seats in order to better enjoy Nicholas Cage’s dapper Dracula. However, that’s not whose story we’re here to see, it is in fact his infamous insect-eating, sinister, servant… Renfield (Nicholas Hoult).
Although not marketed as such, Renfield actually serves as a direct sequel to Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931). For any classic horror fan, it is a treat for the eyes to see a familiar flashback, with Cage and Hoult seamlessly added into some classic black and white cinema.
Cage – who has been waiting almost his entire acting career to sink his teeth into this role – absolutely steals the show as the Prince of Darkness, balancing suave and scary as well as bringing a hellish hilarity the way he does best.
Hoult showcases Renfield not as a willing servant but as someone trying to break free from quite a toxic relationship with the Count. Not only that but for the first time ever, an action-hero dynamic is brought to the character. Cage – who has been waiting almost his entire acting career to sink his teeth into this role – absolutely steals the show as the Prince of Darkness, balancing suave and scary as well as bringing a hellish hilarity the way he does best.
As far as tonality goes, the movie clearly isn’t trying to duplicate the style of the original. For what Dracula (1931) lacked in gore and action, this flick more than makes up for it, however, it still is nowhere near a groundbreaking masterpiece to that of its predecessor.
The supporting characters and overall story may be lacking but it’s definitely a fresh perspective on these household names but if you’re after a fun, blood-filled, action-comedy, this is the movie for you. And of course, why wouldn’t you want to see Nick Cage living his best life as Count Dracula?
Jacked In Recommends ‘Hereditary’ (2018)
Following the life of a dysfunctional family, as they grieve, this abysmal world and the characters within it […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Pagemaster’ (1994)
The Pagemaster follows the life of an over-cautious boy, Richard Tyler (Macaulay Culkin), who buries himself in […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Perspective’ (2023)
Perspective chucks you straight into the deep end as we follow the story of Mike (Velton J Lishke) – an […]
Fictional Movie Bands We’d Love To See Live
It’s safe to say movies have incorporated some brilliant artists into their soundtracks over the years, […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Drive’ (2011)
Drive follows the story of a Hollywood stuntman/mechanic (Ryan Gosling) who also happens to moonlight as a getaway […]
The 24 Most Memorable Movie Psychos
From the dawn of film, there has come a multitude of villainous characters over the years, from the cartoonish to […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Die Hard’ (1988)
To solve the ongoing debate for whether or not Die Hard is in fact a Christmas movie, Jacked In’s Jack, […]
The Most Memorable Movie Santas
Over the years there have been many Christmas movies, telling their own festive tales, however, there is one […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (2024)
The much-anticipated sequel to Todd Phillip’s groundbreakingly, grounded comic book movie is finally upon us. Now, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Crimes of the Future’ (2022)
After more than a twenty-year hiatus from body horror, the legendary David Cronenberg makes his long-awaited return […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2011)
A group of young friends decide to take a small trip to a secluded cabin in the middle of the woods, where not […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘King & Pawn’ (2022)
Bringing humour to the pawn industry, we have Taylor Olson’s Canadian sitcom, King & Pawn.