This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we are celebrating the glorious, chaotic energy of Nicolas Cage as we compare two distinct vampire films, both featuring his unique brand of eccentric intensity: the modern horror-comedy Renfield (2023) and the 90s psychological vampire tale Vampire's Kiss (1988). Renfield (2023) Directed by Chris McKay, Renfield is a dark comedy-horror film that reimagines the classic Dracula story through the eyes of his long-suffering henchman, R. M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult). Nicolas Cage delivers an unforgettable performance as Count Dracula himself, portraying the iconic vampire as a narcissistic, manipulative boss straight out of a modern workplace nightmare. The film blends intense action, splatter gore, and sharp humor as Renfield seeks to break free from his toxic, immortal relationship. Vampire's Kiss (1988) Directed by Robert Bierman, Vampire's Kiss is a bizarre, psychological dark comedy that is a foundational piece of Nicolas Cage's eccentric cinematic persona. Cage stars as Peter Loew, a literary agent in New York who believes he has been bitten by a beautiful vampire and is slowly turning into one himself. The film focuses on his rapid mental breakdown and increasingly unhinged behavior as he attempts to adopt a vampiric lifestyle, showcasing Cage's over-the-top acting style in a non-traditional horror setting. Join us as we dissect these vampire films in in Cage's filmography. We'll compare the deliberate, comedic menace of his Dracula in Renfield to the unhinged, psychological terror of his possibly-vampiric protagonist in Vampire's Kiss. Spoilers start around 5:55