When his beloved wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) is tragically murdered, it brings something out in Heller that many never even imagined. Few saw the determination he possessed to avenge the death of his wife and he is allowed to train in the black arts. Even then he is still treated with a level of disdain that proves completely unwarranted.

Once in the field he uses this dismissal to his advantage. Being underestimated plays to his strengths and lacking the brawn only accentuates the power of his analytic brain. There are some bumps in the road and victims while not completely innocent are sweep up into the escalating violence.

In contrast to most stories of this ilk, he never loses his moral compass and the end when it does come is played out in an unexpected way. The underlying themes play to a healthy distrust of people in powerful positions and a few do get their comeuppance. The focus never leaves the thought that you can never judge a person by the obvious criteria and finding out the hidden depth of Heller is a satisfying adventure.
Rob Hudson
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When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.

The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne. “The Amateur” is directed by James Hawes. The screenplay is by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli based on the novel by Robert Littell. The film is produced by Hutch Parker, p.g.a., Dan Wilson, p.g.a., Rami Malek, Joel B. Michaels, with JJ Hook serving as executive producer.

“The Amateur” will be released in Australian cinemas April 10, 2025.
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Things begin as we join Renfield (Hoult) in a self-help group for people in co-dependent relationships. At first, he is just there looking for victims but soon realises that he has had enough of procuring the human blood bags that the count needs to survive and now needs the tools to form an exit strategy.

The subservient nature of Renfield’s occupation is played mostly for laughs. Even our darkest ideas of enduring the world’s worst boss seem a cakewalk compared to the indignities he has to face every day keeping the count feed. His lifetime contract of servitude isn’t helping either.

The camp nature of Cage’s performance is contrasted nicely by the doe-eyed Hoult. Their dynamic is hilarious as are the over-the-top moments of pure carnage. It might not be right to laugh at such raging rivers of blood but you just can’t help yourself. Having said that on the way home a super rare steak might not be the best food item to order.
Rob Hudson
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In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men franchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). 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 is directed by Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The LEGO Batman Movie) from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley (Ghosted series, Rick & Morty series), based on an original idea by The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman.

The film co-stars Awkwafina (The Farewell, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings), Ben Schwartz (Sonic, The Afterparty) and Adrian Martinez (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Focus) and Emmy winner and Oscar® nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam, House of Sand and Fog).

Renfield is produced by Skybound Entertainment partners Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (The Walking Dead, Invincible), co-presidents Bryan Furst (Daybreakers) and Sean Furst (Daybreakers) and by Chris McKay. McKay’s producing partner Samantha Nisenboim (co-producer, The Tomorrow War) will executive produce.
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In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Menfranchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). 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 is directed by Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The LEGO Batman Movie) from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley (Ghosted series, Rick & Morty series), based on an original idea by The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman.

The film co-stars Awkwafina (The Farewell, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings), Ben Schwartz (Sonic, The Afterparty) and Adrian Martinez (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Focus).

Renfield is produced by Skybound Entertainment partners Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (The Walking Dead, Invincible), co-presidents Bryan Furst (Daybreakers) and Sean Furst (Daybreakers) and by Chris McKay. McKay’s producing partner Samantha Nisenboim (co-producer, The Tomorrow War) will executive produce.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/