The Rental (2020)

Directed by: Dave Franco | 88 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Alison Brie, Jovani Ridler, Toby Huss, Dan Stevens, Jeremy Allen White, Sheila Vand, Anthony Molinari

Dave Franco makes his directorial debut with ‘The Rental’. James Franco’s brother gained fame as an actor in films such as ‘The Disaster Artist’ and ‘Nerve’. In his directorial debut, he leaves the acting to others. For example, his very own wife – Alison Brie – can play one of the leading roles. She stands next to the ever-reliable Dan Stevens. Jeremy Allen White and Sheila Vand are also doing well. There is nothing wrong with the acting. Unfortunately, the script and the strange direction let the excellent cast down…

In ‘The Rental’, business duo Charlie and Mina (Stevens and Vand) decide to celebrate their startup. To reinforce this party, their loved ones also come along. Charlie’s brother Josh (White) is Mina’s boyfriend. Michelle (Brie) is also there to assist her friend Charlie. The quartet books a holiday home to throw a party. What was supposed to be a cozy get-together gets bogged down in a hellish weekend with a dubious landlord, hidden cameras and mutual mistrust.

‘The Rental’ is anything but a bad movie, but a boring one. The problem with this production is that Franco doesn’t know exactly what he wants to say. Although this film is marketed as a thriller, it turns out to be quite disappointing in practice. This isn’t so much a slow burner as it is a slasher in an identity crisis. The first hour ‘The Rental’ is mainly about the mutual bond and relationships between the foursome. Unfortunately, you can predict in advance what will happen, because it is quite obvious how the relationships within this foursome really are.

The acting is solid, but can’t save this movie. It takes too long for something to happen and because you never really get to know the characters you lose interest. When the drama gives way to a horror setting, Franco throws everything into high gear and the slow build-up is replaced by an ADHD finale. With more focus, the shocking denouement would have had (more) impact. ‘The Rental’ is certainly not wrong for a first attempt at directing. Stumbling and a bit boring.