Is ‘Renfield’ a comedy?

Renfield, Universal’s spin on vampiric mayhem, is certainly a film unlike any we’ve seen in recent memory. With a star-studded cast and an incredible amount of special effects, this horrific tale of Dracula’s tortured assistant can’t help but be a good time.

Asking whether or not Renfield is a comedy is like asking if Nicolas Cage is the greatest actor alive today. The answer is obviously “yes,” but also a resounding “no,” and we couldn’t be more excited. Following Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) while he struggles with his not-so-great job as Dracula’s (Nicolas Cage) assistant, this aptly-named blockbuster is all about standing up for yourself.

Judging from the trailer, it seems the thrills and chills will certainly be played for comedic effect, and — although scary — will largely exist to make us chuckle with how ridiculously spine-tingling they all are. Think Taika Waititi’s classic vampire mockumentary, What We Do in the Shadows.

While we’re on the subject, if you haven’t seen What We Do in the Shadows then you have your Friday marching orders. Rent it, stream it, or find it at your local video store (are those still a thing?). However you get ahold of this film, you won’t be disappointed. Then after, go watch Renfield — it’s a win-win.

Garnering a respectable 63 percent critic and 82 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Renfield is most definitely a horror-comedy. By mixing elements of both genres, it seems that the film is able to present some striking themes while bolstering our tolerance for bloodshed in the process — all because we’re smiling through the carnage.

Out and in theaters everywhere, catch Renfield this weekend if you want to scream laughing.