The Rental
Dustin Chase
Dave Franco, the younger of the Franco Brothers has now thrown his hat into the director’s ring, like older sibling James (“The Disaster Artist”). “The Rental” is a conventional horror genre flick; four friends, mysterious house, isolated surroundings, you know how these things go. It stars Franco’s wife Alison Brie (“Sleeping With Other People”), and initially begins as an Airbnb booking story from hell. Most horror flicks either make the audience sympathetic to the characters (victims) or push us to dislike them so much we welcome their demise, the latter happens here. The dislike of characters is something co-writer Joe Swanberg has perfected with dramedy flicks “Drinking Buddies” or “Happy Christmas.” “The Rental” simply takes his formula of four friends abusing alcohol and drugs, and other irresponsible behavior then puts them in a stressful situation where they make all the wrong decisions.
Work colleagues Charlie (Stevens) and Mina (Vand) decide after finishing a debilitating project, they deserve a vacation. A short drive to the Oregon coast, Charlie, his wife Michelle (Brie), Charlie’s brother Josh (White), who is dating Mina, arrive at a spectacular rental they booked online. It has a hot tub, views of the rugged Northwest coastline, and star gazing balconies. Taylor (Huss), the caretaker, meets them to go over house rules and drop off the keys. Mina, who is of Persian descent, asks Taylor why her booking request was denied, but white-male Charlie’s was approved. Insulted, he merely reminds them of the cancellation policy, and Charlie suggests Mina give everyone the benefit of doubt. Josh brings his dog, despite no animals being allowed, Michelle brings Ecstasy, despite no drugs being allowed, and Charlie and Mina bring the temptation they’ve avoided for years.
“The Rental” does for Airbnb bookings what “Final Destination” did for log trucks. That’s going to be this flick’s singular memorable quality.
“The Rental” does for Airbnb bookings what “Final Destination” did for log trucks. That’s going to be this flick’s singular memorable quality. It’s enough to make anyone think twice about who they are renting from… and then for house owners, who they are renting to. The real failure here is how “The Rental” focuses on meaningless relationship drama. Writers Franco and Swanberg seem to think that will make the story resonate more, instead of the “worst-fear scenario” of renting someone’s house. The indifference we feel for the characters accumulates from the multitude of poor decisions they make individually and collectively. It’s not a stretch of anyone’s imagination, when one character drives off into the dark, what will happen, or when another character says I am going back up into the house, all alone, at night.
It’s likely Franco’s directorial debut would never have seen the light of day if his name, and the talent he brings to the project, wasn’t attached. “The Rental’s” “it’s happened before, and will happen again” epilogue leaves an already frustrated audience with a lot of questions about motive, both within the story and of those holding the pen. As it leans heavily on predictable jump scares, uninterested in showcasing any kind of gore, or offering some lesson learned message, there isn’t much for horror genre fans to enjoy.
Final Thought
Dave Franco’s directorial debut is a callous horror movie dud.