MOVIE REVIEW: THE RENTAL

Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister.

Director: Dave Franco

Cast: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby Huss

Release Date: July 24, 2020

Genres: Horror, Thriller

Rated R for violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexuality

Runtime: 1h 29min

Review:

Dave Franco’s debut film is polished but inconsistent.  Franco does a good job of setting up the interpersonal dynamics which gives us a palatable sense of tension from the get go.  He lets it simmer until it comes to boil in the final act with gruesome results.  Unfortunately, most horror fans will see most twist coming a mile away and it’s ultimately a retread of countless home terror type films like The Strangers.  Still a strong cast led by the ever reliable Dan Stevens keeps the whole thing watchable.  He and his cast have great chemistry together which makes these characters feel like living breathing people and not just fodder for the meat grinder.  This gives the film an air of authenticity that makes it easier to overlook some of the story’s shortcomings.  Those horror fans looking for something super gruesome or supernatural will be left wanting because this film is solely focused on the terrible things people do which ultimately might be scarier than anything.

B-