THE RENTAL (2020)

 

Directed by: Dave Franco Written By: Dave Franco & Joe Swanberg Story By: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg & Mike Demski Cinematography: Christian Sprenger  Editor: Kyle Reiter 

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

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 more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a new light.

This is a fascinating film, as at first, it seems like it will be a relationship movie that is mixed In as a thriller, but then in the third act it goes full-on horror film.

It is a film that is best to go blind into. As part of its charm are the surprises and twists. Which won’t be told but will be hinted at throughout this review. 

As like the nature of the film We sit back and just watch the characters. We are rescued to them more in the middle as they are coming upon this rented house. We start to get the feel of the characters and their relationships toward some another.

Which takes over the first half of the Movie. It becomes more claustrophobic when an action happens that ends up In a secret that two of the characters are desperate to keep. Which is where the terror starts. What could have easily been settled by calling the cops grows into more problems than pushes them apart and complicates the situation.

It also helps that there is a lot of set up’s that are hinted at before. As it gets deeper there is much more interference in the characters' lives. 

I give credit to director and co-Writer Dave Franco for making a film that most actors making their debut films Don’t do at first. It seems he is making a more melodramatic film. But then he ends up making a more popcorn audience friendly film. That is a bit more commercial while being able to stick to its indie and dramatic roots.

The characters aren’t dislikable but do come off as a bit privileged and annoying. At least two In particular do the ones with the secret. Though the actors are all solid. 

Though not as gory or action-oriented as the collector films and franchises. This film does remind the audience of those films in the fact that it almost can easily be designed as a franchise or sequel. Though if there is one since the secret is out they have to kind of rearrange the film to be surprising. 

Grade: C+