A generic, pointless and anticlimactic movie that fizzle out into nothingness.
It always amazes me when people get a shot at making a full length movie (in this case, Dave Franco) and when they don't have anything new or good to bring to the table. Then why even bother?
A waste of money, time and talent (Stevens and Brie.)
492 Reviews
Suspense and mystery
Gordon-112 August 2020
Decent little thriller with third act problems.
faolanredwolf24 July 2020
Two brothers and their significant others spend a weekend in a beautiful beachfront villa. What could possibly go wrong?
Dave Franco does a decent job for a first time director. The Movie is beautifully shot, atmospheric and moody as all hell. The cast is awesome, I always enjoy Dan Stevens and he's a delight here, but so is everyone else. I almost loved this movie but sadly the whole thing falls apart in the third act. Its as if a tense thriller is interrupted by a slasher film and its as abrupt and awkward as it sounds. That said the movie does not go where you expect it to and it is shocking and surprising.
Dave Franco does a decent job for a first time director. The Movie is beautifully shot, atmospheric and moody as all hell. The cast is awesome, I always enjoy Dan Stevens and he's a delight here, but so is everyone else. I almost loved this movie but sadly the whole thing falls apart in the third act. Its as if a tense thriller is interrupted by a slasher film and its as abrupt and awkward as it sounds. That said the movie does not go where you expect it to and it is shocking and surprising.
It wasn't bad, its just that it lacked someting to be good
85122219 January 2021
Greetings from Lithuania.
"The Rental" (2020) is a nice little drama thriller flick. It is by any means a horror movie - do not be fooled. It plays more like a soup drama to be honest. I liked performances in this movie, especially by Dan Stevens and Sheila Vand. Set up was not original, but I bought it - i was into. But its the third act that kinda felt off for me. I liked this movie way more before the third act - I was involved into these characters story and then it just kinda did not deliver it for me at the end. There is a great idea somewhere done here, unfortunately it was not delivered in this movie fully.
"The Rental" (2020) is a nice little drama thriller flick. It is by any means a horror movie - do not be fooled. It plays more like a soup drama to be honest. I liked performances in this movie, especially by Dan Stevens and Sheila Vand. Set up was not original, but I bought it - i was into. But its the third act that kinda felt off for me. I liked this movie way more before the third act - I was involved into these characters story and then it just kinda did not deliver it for me at the end. There is a great idea somewhere done here, unfortunately it was not delivered in this movie fully.
Not bad
otnememento-224 July 2020
Way better than the ratings. It keeps the intrigue for the first part and the rest has a good rhythm. Pretty decent directing by Franco. I don't see it lower than at least a 6. It is one of the lowest ratings compared to the quality of the film I have seen in my whole life.
Vacancy meets The Strangers
xbenx-7835225 July 2020
I wanted to like the movie, but sadly it's been done before and better with the movies in my title. That said the cast is great, I think Dan Stevens is one of the best actors around.
So In my opinion it just doesn't do anything new and the ending was also poor, let's hope Mr Franco can come back with something a little more original next time.
So In my opinion it just doesn't do anything new and the ending was also poor, let's hope Mr Franco can come back with something a little more original next time.
There is some supense and the story isn't bad, decent enough for me.
deloudelouvain28 August 2020
After reading all those negative reviews I can only come to the conclusion there are a lot of quickly unsastified people on earth. I don't what they expect from a horror thriller like The Rental. I thought that for this genre it was a pretty decent movie. It won't win prizes or so but it's certainly entertaining. There is some good tension building and the acting wasn't bad either. I only know Jeremy Allen White from the excellent series Shameless, the rest of the cast was unknown to me but they all did a decent job. As for the horror it's mild but yet effective. All in all it wasn't a bad movie, certainly better than I expected for a movie in this genre.
Decent enough popcorn film.
shawthingproductions5 December 2020
Dave Franco doesn't bring anything new to the horror genre with his feature film directorial debut (which he also wrote) but he does provide an entertaining hour and a half (give or take) in this film about two couples who have booked into an AirBnB type property, only to discover a number of hidden cameras around the building.
Acting is decent enough and another good film for Dan Stevens' ever growing resume. Take this film as intended (a fun thriller - popcorn movie) and you will be entertained enough. Go in looking for the deep and meaningful and you'll hate it.
Ignore the reviews stating it is "pointless" - they clearly expected too much.
Acting is decent enough and another good film for Dan Stevens' ever growing resume. Take this film as intended (a fun thriller - popcorn movie) and you will be entertained enough. Go in looking for the deep and meaningful and you'll hate it.
Ignore the reviews stating it is "pointless" - they clearly expected too much.
Vacuous garbage
brettacarson26 January 2021
Don't waste your time. This movie lacks any characteristics that constitute good storytelling. There's no character development, the plot is simple...I can't be bothered adding anymore, much like the folks involved with this cheesy production.
Better than expected.
Sleepin_Dragon12 February 2021
I liked this, having found many horrors in the slasher/mystery genre pretty disappointing in recent times, this was pretty decent. It's definitely flawed, so don't expect masses of tension, or any scares, but overall, it's solid.
The one criticism I'd have, is that it's so slow to open up, that's the major issue with this film, you're waiting for an hour for the fun to start. The last half hour of the film is the best part, it is really good, and surprising.
There are a few twists, and it does a god job at misdirecting you, a second would definitely work.
I have to say though, Dan Stevens, is this really what you're going to be doing from now on in? You're better than this.
Check out the actor under that mask, Anthony Molinari, a shame that face was hidden away for so long.
If you enjoyed The Strangers, I think you may enjoy this.
Pretty good overall, 7/10.
The one criticism I'd have, is that it's so slow to open up, that's the major issue with this film, you're waiting for an hour for the fun to start. The last half hour of the film is the best part, it is really good, and surprising.
There are a few twists, and it does a god job at misdirecting you, a second would definitely work.
I have to say though, Dan Stevens, is this really what you're going to be doing from now on in? You're better than this.
Check out the actor under that mask, Anthony Molinari, a shame that face was hidden away for so long.
If you enjoyed The Strangers, I think you may enjoy this.
Pretty good overall, 7/10.
Unlikable characters detract from solid movie
bt698nhj6 March 2021
The premise is interesting and the cinematography is good if understated. The story is a variation of others we've seen before. I'm sure that may detract for some but I don't mind twists on an existing idea. But the characters, ugh! I usually don't need to like the characters to enjoy a movie, but when a movie is so character-centric, it can detract, and in this case it did for me. Also, the ending implies something that seems implausible. I will have to Google to see if I can find any rationale for it.
Good enough to want a sequel
yahel0226 July 2020
Even though the film is a long way from being perfect, I think it can defenitly open a modern slasher franchise, with great and uniqe storytelling for this ganre. I'm really intrested in what Franco can further do with this concept. Dear Dave, if u see this - please, I want a sequel!
Pretty good
saphira_dragon-8027025 July 2020
It's pretty good. It's very slow. Some interesting character drama in here. There's a little twist at the end. Nothing very scary, but nice tense atmosphere at times. It's fine, no problem if you watch it! It's pretty good.
love the ending!
donaldricco23 May 2021
At about the one hour mark, I thought to myself, well, this is a great set up and idea for a movie, but it's too bad I really dislike three of the four characters that are in this mess! It would have been so much better...
And then it got so much better! As the end ramped up, and the big reveal came, I decided that yes indeed, I really liked this movie! And the images over the ending credits, well, super real and super creepy. I doubt I'll be renting any getaway house ever again! Yikes!
And then it got so much better! As the end ramped up, and the big reveal came, I decided that yes indeed, I really liked this movie! And the images over the ending credits, well, super real and super creepy. I doubt I'll be renting any getaway house ever again! Yikes!
Better than expected
katshocknesse5 April 2022
The Jaws of Airbnbs
ryanpersaud-5941521 January 2022
The Good: I'm not surprised by the negative reception Dave Franco's directorial debut has gotten (5.7 here, 45% on RT). Horror fans tend to be a tough bunch and are VERY dissatisfied when horror movies are untraditional. It's a shame, because this is a legitimately good movie.
Why? Because the flaws that other people have pointed out, to me, strengthen the narrative and the style. This is the first horror/thriller in a while - so reserved and grounded - that felt eerily real. Like there is something to actually be scared of and a legitimate new fear that I'm sure many will began to worry about in the future.
Suffice to say, this movie is essentially saved in the ending. Everything comes together and what we've just seen makes more sense. I also wanted to shout out some of the performances. Alison Brie has always been really good, but she excels here in a performance where she's kind of fighting for screen time. The rest of the cast is really good too, but Dan Stevens also feels like a real person; especially his mannerisms.
I also liked that this movie had an intentional tone and stuck with it. It didn't abandon what it was going for to excite audiences or be a crowd pleaser. I think for a reserved, low budget, tight movie like this, Franco has done a good job. Even visually, while this movie may not be the most memorable, it certainly looks quite good. Shout out to the location scouts.
The Bad: Yet, I have to admit that I sympathize with those who really disliked this movie. For a long stretch, it's hard to see exactly where it's going and even I got frustrated. I think this movie feels longer than it really is, which is a product of the slow pacing and rising tension, but that's a bit of a problem. There has to be a balance between these elements.
The Ugly: I don't know how anyone could watch this movie, see the ending, and not understand why the movie was the way it was. If it was a traditional slasher, it frankly wouldn't be as scary. This is a movie that's scary by implication more than what we see on screen. And personally, I think that's much harder to do.
Why? Because the flaws that other people have pointed out, to me, strengthen the narrative and the style. This is the first horror/thriller in a while - so reserved and grounded - that felt eerily real. Like there is something to actually be scared of and a legitimate new fear that I'm sure many will began to worry about in the future.
Suffice to say, this movie is essentially saved in the ending. Everything comes together and what we've just seen makes more sense. I also wanted to shout out some of the performances. Alison Brie has always been really good, but she excels here in a performance where she's kind of fighting for screen time. The rest of the cast is really good too, but Dan Stevens also feels like a real person; especially his mannerisms.
I also liked that this movie had an intentional tone and stuck with it. It didn't abandon what it was going for to excite audiences or be a crowd pleaser. I think for a reserved, low budget, tight movie like this, Franco has done a good job. Even visually, while this movie may not be the most memorable, it certainly looks quite good. Shout out to the location scouts.
The Bad: Yet, I have to admit that I sympathize with those who really disliked this movie. For a long stretch, it's hard to see exactly where it's going and even I got frustrated. I think this movie feels longer than it really is, which is a product of the slow pacing and rising tension, but that's a bit of a problem. There has to be a balance between these elements.
The Ugly: I don't know how anyone could watch this movie, see the ending, and not understand why the movie was the way it was. If it was a traditional slasher, it frankly wouldn't be as scary. This is a movie that's scary by implication more than what we see on screen. And personally, I think that's much harder to do.
NOT AS BAD AS PEOPLE THINK.
andrewchristianjr27 July 2020
The movie builds nicely, good actors in this one, playing on various relatable subjects such as relationships and identity, and what made this enjoyable is that the entire thing could be a real situation, nothing too far out, but it throws all away at the end for a conclusion I'm not sure if I couldn't figure out because it was completely meaningless + unrelated to the rest of the movie, or because there was nothing there.
I re-evaluated this movie at the time I was writing this review
kuarinofu31 July 2020
While this film made my brain hurt a couple of times because of how unrealistic and stupid the characters were, I reassessed my thoughts on this one when I was writing this.
The film gets much better if you finish it, even though it is incredibly painful to watch so much stupidity at times. Many things in this make no sense but I don't want to get into spoilers. The weirdest thing, probably, was the awkward racism and misogyny commentaries, these felt really out of place.
Why I gave this 7 instead of a 4 or 5 is because I'm almost sure that due to the way the ending was shot, this film is not a case of the creators messing up, this was quite intentional and was made in this specific way to emphasize certain key points.
I can't say this though about the whole film, since it is very inconsistent and barely believable at times, but the core idea, again, if intentional, is worth it. I can't really discuss it without diving into spoilers, but I loved the vibe that makes you feel like you're watching a crime mystery documentary. I love how methodical and cold it got in the end (powered by a great soundtrack). I really hope that the message I got from this film was the one the creators wanted me to understand.
Thus, in my head, this film came all the way from garbage to an interesting experience.
P.S. The poster seriously misrepresents this film, it looks like the film is about aliens or something.
The film gets much better if you finish it, even though it is incredibly painful to watch so much stupidity at times. Many things in this make no sense but I don't want to get into spoilers. The weirdest thing, probably, was the awkward racism and misogyny commentaries, these felt really out of place.
Why I gave this 7 instead of a 4 or 5 is because I'm almost sure that due to the way the ending was shot, this film is not a case of the creators messing up, this was quite intentional and was made in this specific way to emphasize certain key points.
I can't say this though about the whole film, since it is very inconsistent and barely believable at times, but the core idea, again, if intentional, is worth it. I can't really discuss it without diving into spoilers, but I loved the vibe that makes you feel like you're watching a crime mystery documentary. I love how methodical and cold it got in the end (powered by a great soundtrack). I really hope that the message I got from this film was the one the creators wanted me to understand.
Thus, in my head, this film came all the way from garbage to an interesting experience.
P.S. The poster seriously misrepresents this film, it looks like the film is about aliens or something.
Dull with no heroes nor heroines or villains. not a horror.
kyree-9636827 May 2021
The supposed protagonists keeps screeching racism straight from the opening scenes being the obvious motivator for the antagonist. The "girlfriend" immediately tries to verbally attack the renter, not that she is African American / Latin etc. Or of any other obvious diverse background, but everyone in the movie keeps acting like she is. Sorry but this movie is a political statement trying to hide as a horror movie and doing a really poor job of it.
Worth a watch
tylerbunker-110211 May 2022
Not a great film but not bad either. Worth watching one time on a Friday night for sure. Acting was solid and for the noticeable low budget it did fairly well. Some parts we're predictable but not all of it and they did a good job of keeping you engaged after a slow moving start.
Piece of tranquility or not
kosmasp19 November 2021
Obviously if you rent a place, the person(s) you rent from do not know you and you don't know them (is there a singular for that? It's not the easiest including every possibility, but you catch the drift). The movie overall sets quite the interesting tone and it has really intriguing themes.
One major letdown is one of the main characters. Very unlikeable she is - which really brings down many things she fights for or rather against, that may ring true in the overall sense. There are more than a few twists along the way, the not so good behavior of our renters may not count as one of them. Especially the ... let's call it relationships amongst them.
It's a bit cliche and while it is not exploited in the fullest, it may raise questions on other things that would count as twists along the way ... as in mere coincidence or planned? Throwing in a twist to get a reaction from the viewer is one thing (and I suppose it does work on some), but veteran viewers will likely see through many things - not to mention the ending.
Now while I assume some may call it weak, I would not ... well I would put it a different way. Because the overall suggestion of the ending (and the ending after that, there are parts of it in the credits) is quite interesting - and may work with some of the viewers. But again, I would call it a missed opportunity, because there is so little to care about all the way up to that moment, that it is something that I am tempted to call wasted opportunity.
Still a decent movie/thriller/horror - tense from start to finish (even as I said if it is for wrong reasons at times) - this is entertaining and the actors do their best to say the least. Oh and beautiful location.
One major letdown is one of the main characters. Very unlikeable she is - which really brings down many things she fights for or rather against, that may ring true in the overall sense. There are more than a few twists along the way, the not so good behavior of our renters may not count as one of them. Especially the ... let's call it relationships amongst them.
It's a bit cliche and while it is not exploited in the fullest, it may raise questions on other things that would count as twists along the way ... as in mere coincidence or planned? Throwing in a twist to get a reaction from the viewer is one thing (and I suppose it does work on some), but veteran viewers will likely see through many things - not to mention the ending.
Now while I assume some may call it weak, I would not ... well I would put it a different way. Because the overall suggestion of the ending (and the ending after that, there are parts of it in the credits) is quite interesting - and may work with some of the viewers. But again, I would call it a missed opportunity, because there is so little to care about all the way up to that moment, that it is something that I am tempted to call wasted opportunity.
Still a decent movie/thriller/horror - tense from start to finish (even as I said if it is for wrong reasons at times) - this is entertaining and the actors do their best to say the least. Oh and beautiful location.
I want that 1hr 30m back
lukemurray-408467 February 2021
Please don't waste your time like I did. Full of plot holes, pointless actions by the cast like, let's go for a walk but leave the dog tied up.....calling the guy they rented it from a racist for some unknown reason. The woman saying they're there to have fun but spends the whole evening in bed. Randomly taking ecstasy. The whole thing is a mess. Prove me wrong. It took a third of the film for anything to happen at all. The characters were annoying, me personally I wanted the guy to start offing them about 5 minutes in.
Oddly Compelling
mycannonball21 July 2021
This "thriller" has a very indie feel, lots of long shots and master shots and not as many close-ups. The dialogue feels very realistic and off the cuff at times but it never descends into annoying mumblecore. I put quotes around "thriller" because it's kind of a genre mish mash. The first 2/3 of a drama with a bit of creepy suspense and a setup that leads to a final 1/3 that is more of a thriller/horror film. I don't want to spoil anything, but I found this movie kind of odd but it also completely held my attention. Something different for a change.
Tense & uncomfortable... but definitely not scary
haydenpannell24 July 2020
Whilst this is a decent effort for a directional debut with a constant feeling of tension and uncomfortability, the R18+ rating and horror genre classification seems misplaced.
There's a real longing for a decent new horror film, and this isn't it.
If you've seen every other horror film and have nothing better to do with time to kill, then give this film a watch... but if you don't get a chance to watch it, you're not really missing anything great.
There's a real longing for a decent new horror film, and this isn't it.
If you've seen every other horror film and have nothing better to do with time to kill, then give this film a watch... but if you don't get a chance to watch it, you're not really missing anything great.
Low budget stress
sergelamarche1 December 2021
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
