Movie Review: ‘The Rental’

Review by James Lindorf

Home invasion thrillers have been a constant over the last 50+ years and include trend setters like the brutality of “The Last House on the Left,” and the stylish terror of “The Strangers.” The rise in popularity of vacation rentals through companies like VRBO and Airbnb has given a facelift to this old horror standard. Not only are the characters being besieged by a varying number of psychopaths they are in unfamiliar surroundings and often isolated physically and technologically. Dave Franco’s directorial debut “The Rental” is the latest entry in to the subgenre. Franco teamed with indie filmmaker Joe Swanberg (Happy Christmas) on the script to fill his tense thriller with the latter’s typical self-absorbed yuppies and relationship angst.

Two couples, Charlie and Michelle (Dan Stevens and Alison Brie), Josh and Mina (Jeremy Allen White and Sheila Vand) have rented a lavish oceanside getaway for a celebratory weekend. The entanglements run deep in the group, Charlie is married to Michelle, Josh is his younger brother and Mina is his business partner. Tensions flare a bit before the trip even really begins. Josh insists on bringing his adorable French Bulldog Reggie much to the aggravation of Charlie. The car ride to the remote Oregon coast is dominated by discussions of race and class. Then, to top things off they are greeted by a creepy and racist landlord. Any earlier grievances are quickly forgotten as the alcohol begins to flow and the drugs begin to hit. Walls come down and well-kept secrets bubble to the surface putting every relationship at risk. Things quickly spiral out of control with the discovery that the house is filled with hidden cameras.

“The Rental” sows seeds of self-doubt and mistrust early that by the end have blossomed into strife that could tear everyone apart and gives their voyeur the perfect ammunition to torment them

Rating: R (for violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexuality)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By: Dave Franco
Written By: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg
In Theaters: Jul 24, 2020 Limited
On Disc/Streaming: Jul 24, 2020
Runtime: 89 minutes
Studio: IFC Films