Review: The Rental

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Charlie, (Dan Stevens) and his wife Michelle, (Allison Brie) decide to rent an Air BnB for a weekend getaway with his brother, Josh (Jeremy Allen White) and Josh's girlfriend/Charlie's co-worker Mina. (Sheila Vand) It starts off with a bad run in with the racist home owner and only gets worse from there.

Despite being called a horror/thriller, the first hour or so of this movie is merely a relationship drama. The horror element doesn't really kick into gear until the third act. While it's quite obvious what's going to eventually happen between these couples, the actors are all very good so it's never tedious.

But that third act....I'm perplexed. I don't know if I could give film major props for going this route with the killer, or if it feels like a giant cop out. In theory it's creepy but it feels rushed. This film is only 1 hour 28 minutes long and with so much spent on the relationship building it really feels like the main conflict happens way too fast. But at the same time, I don't think they could've dragged it out much longer either. Even days after watching this, I still don't know how I feel about the ending.

Dave Franco looks to be a promising director. You can tell he films his real life wife Allison Brie with a lot of love. They could've so easily made her character frumpy to contrast with Mina but they didn't. I really just liked all of the main four.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: "My reservation was declined but you accepted his an hour later." - Mina (Sheila Vand)

Comments

  1. Often Off TopicDecember 21, 2020 at 3:02 PM

    I was so excited about this cast but I have to admit, it's only been 5 months since I watched it and I've forgotten most of it.
    Also how did I not know Dave Franco and Alison Brie were married?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamDecember 22, 2020 at 8:20 AM

      Yep! They have been for a while. I wanted to see this really badly when it first came out for Dan Stevens, then the reviews came in lol

      Delete
  2. keith71_98December 21, 2020 at 3:16 PM

    Nice review. I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Nothing particularly memorable, but fun enough.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thevoid99December 21, 2020 at 5:39 PM

    If I find it on TV, I'll check it out but with low expectations.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BirgitDecember 22, 2020 at 11:26 AM

    I have not even heard of it. I need to look it up but it doesn't impress me too much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. m.brownDecember 23, 2020 at 10:51 PM

    Dave Franco, that lucky bastard. I forgot this film actually existed, but even with your low score...you know I'm interested. Shocking, I know.

    Great review, Brittani.

    ReplyDelete

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