Renfield – Wiccan Tumblr for the Win

Renfield is a delightful little horror comedy chronicling the titular character's toxic relationship with his master, Count Dracula.

Featuring Nicholas Hoult as Renfield and Nicolas Cage as that overbearing boss, it's a film that works despite its own confusion on what it wants to be.

Cage is phenomenal as Dracula and Hoult is charming as the nebbish Renfield. Their interplay almost universally hits. The other identity of the film is a smattering of over-the-top action and balletic gore. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that, too. I just wish there was more of the former.

Why? Well, quite simply, Cage is the principal reason to watch Renfield. He is just so damn zany and fun. The fact that he disappears for large sections of the movie as Renfield makes googly eyes at a cop named Rebecca (Awkwafina) hurts the driving narrative of the film.

We're here to see Dracula gaslight and manipulate Renfield, so give it to us.

Anyway, as I said, this movie is mostly a good time. That sadly did not translate to box office success. On a budget of $65 million, it grossed a putrid $26.7 million. But with decent fan reactions (79% favorability compared to the 58% of critics), Renfield does at least seem destined for semi-cult status. 

Now, sit back, suck the flavor from Rhinegeist's Franz, and don't make it a sexual thing! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are scouring New Orleans for some nuns or a busload of cheerleaders to feed the Lord of Death's insatiable apetite!

This Week’s Segments:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Stop serving. Start living! (00:00)
• Lingering Questions – Where does this version of cinema's most notorious vampire rank for us? (39:44)
• The "I Deserve Happiness" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about Count Dracula. (56:33)
• Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude Hops and Boo-Haha Flops with Werewolves Within! (1:12:02)

And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the history of Count Dracula on film and more—from this week’s episode!

You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!