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Renfield trailer: Nicolas Cage is Dracula and fans are loving it

Nicolas Cage plays Dracula and it looks like the role of a lifetime

Watch the first trailer for Renfield

2023 looks set to be the year that movies go full goblin mode as the first trailer for new horror comedy Renfield aptly demonstrates.

Starring Nicholas Hoult in the title role as Dracula's familiar, the film sees Nicolas Cage playing a deranged version of Bram Stoker's famous creation as the world's worst boss.

The trailer shows Hoult's nervy Renfield attending a therapy group for abusive relationships where he details the depraved level of control his undead boss exerts over him.

Read more: The most exciting movies of 2023

From gathering victims to disposing of bodies, it's clear that Dracula does not have a HR department to speak of, and Cage is really sinking his teeth into the role.

Dracula (Nicolas Cage) and Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) in Renfield, directed by Chris McKay. (Universal)
Dracula (Nicolas Cage) and Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) in Renfield, directed by Chris McKay. (Universal)

Positioned next to Cocaine Bear, Renfield looks set to be one of the craziest cinema experiences of 2023, and it's already getting the blood pumping for Cage fans.

"Style, tone, setup, oh my god. I didn’t think it would be better than I imagined and I had some HIGH hopes," wrote one fan on Twitter. "This actually looks pretty damn funny," another said.

Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult star im Renfield. (Universal Pictures)
Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult star im Renfield. (Universal Pictures)

Renfield has been directed by Chris McKay, the filmmaker behind The Lego Batman Movie and Tomorrow War, based on a script by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Ryan Ridley (Rick and Morty), and also stars Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz.

It's the first of two Dracula movies being released in 2023, with The Voyage of the Demeter promising to be more horror than comedy.

Here's a synopsis: Evil doesn’t span eternity without a little help. In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road and X-Men franchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar winner Nicolas Cage). 

Nicolas Cage as Dracula in Renfield, directed by Chris McKay. (Universal)
Nicolas Cage as Dracula in Renfield, directed by Chris McKay. (Universal)

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 will be released in cinemas this April. Watch the Red Band trailer below.