The Rental

IFC Films | Release Date (Streaming): July 24, 2020

5.6	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 77 Ratings

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Rakib0301Jul 24, 2020

Loved the movie.Marking Dave Franco's directorial debut, this sharp, engrossing horror-thriller gets by with no supernatural elements, relying entirely on scarily believable human behavior and intrusive technology. Working from a screenplayLoved the movie.Marking Dave Franco's directorial debut, this sharp, engrossing horror-thriller gets by with no supernatural elements, relying entirely on scarily believable human behavior and intrusive technology. Working from a screenplay co-written by Franco, Joe Swanberg, and Mike Demski, Franco creates tension right away in The Rental with his human tableaus. Even the (sometimes dark) humor is designed to throw things off-balance. The very first shot shows Charlie and Mina leaning together over a computer monitor in such a familiar, comfortable way that we may immediately assume that they're a couple.

Everything in the movie is staged in a way that creates tension and dislocation, from Taylor's underlying racism and his sly way of deflecting it to Michelle being out-of-step with the other three. Michelle is the only one interested in going on a hike, and she takes ecstasy alone on Saturday night, becoming a kind of quirky comic relief and also a catalyst for more disaster. Brie and Franco are married in real life, and he's given her a rich role here that plays to her talents. Plus, Franco manages to comment on technology in a way that's subtle and not overbearing. He doesn't go easy on his characters, and he finds an ending that clicks into place with a true shudder. In essence, The Rental is a must-see thriller, both smart and unsettling.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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Leighcal9Aug 4, 2020

Just an all around good thriller. Not as predictable as you would think. Enough character development and individual story lines to ensure you remain engaged through out the duration of the movie. Good ****

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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TVJerryAug 1, 2020

Two couples spend a casual weekend at a beautiful rental by the ocean. When the caretaker comes off as creepy, it begins a tense ride with an atypical ending. Even as the characters and their relationships are being established, there areTwo couples spend a casual weekend at a beautiful rental by the ocean. When the caretaker comes off as creepy, it begins a tense ride with an atypical ending. Even as the characters and their relationships are being established, there are signs that something sinister is impending. When it comes to pass, we're treated to a suspenseful thrill ride of tension and scares. The most impressive part: The first-time director is actor Dave Franco (little brother of multi-hyphenate James). He has a strong sense of effective storytelling and even manages to make the genre's typical tropes work to his advantage.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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baconpopsicleSep 5, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really don't understand what most of these people are talking about. Once again it seems that neckbeards and basement dweller virgins are negative bombing something the Franco brothers, do out of envy.

The movie begins with two couples on a retreat, the characters are genuine, in the sense that we all know people like this (if you have ever had college friends). The movie goes on threough their common and expected issues between couples and friends before it takes several twists and turns that leave you wondering where is this really going to go.

After the troubles with the landlord we are left uncertain to his involvement in everything that's happening, and that's when we see the real antagonist, a serial killer who kills, if for nothing else, out of pleasure. This guy is no nonsense, he doesn't play with his victims nor does he take 30 mins to track them down (looking at you Jason Vorhees) and the best part is that, unlike every single other slasher and scary movie, this guy doesn't get killed by some random teens.

We later see that this is a regular activity, his MO is shown to us throughout the credits while he takes on other victims.

Being filmed, mugged, killed or just be subjected to any kind of danger is something that is always in the back of our minds when we go to a hotel or to an airbnb, Dave takes this fear and shows us the worst csse scenario.

My only criticisms are first, that there are some scenes that feel too much like fillers, I feel that there could've been a bit more character development and second, some of the suspense sounds were a bit too much for me, it made it feel cheesy.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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