The Rental: Film Review

Cast: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand
Director: Dave Franco

Dave Franco dabbles very dangerously into white middle class privilege with The Rental.

By picking up the tensions between two sets of couples on a weekend away, adding in some evident sexual tension as well as imposter syndrome and then sprinkling the whole affair with some elements of Jordan Peele’s Us, the pot is ready to simmer over.

And in truth, it sort of does.

But it takes a while to get there and even longer to show its hand.

Dan Stevens’ insufferable prig of an alpha male never seems worthy of support, and Franco delivers signs early on of what is going to happen, leading to a feeling of predictability when it does. But by adding in the requisite tensions and suspense as well as swathing the whole thing in guilt and paranoia, the films potboiler reaches the necessary temperature before going off on a tangent.

Franco’s smart enough not to overplay his hand and he’s astute enough behind the camera to keep things on an even keel before the big reveals.

It’s not quite as effective as it could be, given you’re waiting the horror edged to make their presence known, but by using atmospheric careful build ups, The Rental delivers on its promise and premise.

The Rental starts streaming on Amazon Prime Video from Friday 22nd January.