Cinema Therapy meets Robert Kirkman // Narcissism in RENFIELD

How do you stand up to a narcissistic abuser? What does setting boundaries look like?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are joined by one of Alan’s storytelling heroes, Robert Kirkman, to talk about his most recent creation, Renfield. They discuss how the film succeeds in telling a story of escaping a narcissistic abuser while being both wholesome and gory. Jonathan explains why Renfield’s experience in group therapy to understand and break free of his co-dependent relationship with Dracula is so realistic. Robert shares insights about the creation of the story and bringing it to life with the wonderful cast, and Alan praises the sharp writing that shines through all the humor and gore. They banter about the banter in the film, and they forget the best line: GROW TO FULL POWER!
Learn more about Renfield: www.renfieldmo...
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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, Corinne Demyanovich, and Stu Arbury
Edited by: David Sant
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis
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[@teresaellis7062]

Why do I find it adorable that Renfield held up "How To Defend Yourself Against A Narcissist" like it was a cross to keep Dracula at bay? I'm not sure. It was definitely an unexpected emotion, but it was adorable.🤷‍♀😂

[@LittleHobbit13]

Well Mark tells him the book will be his bible, so it's funny when he holds it up like a shield as if it should hold Dracula back.

[@teresaellis7062]

@@LittleHobbit13 True, but what has me confused is my reaction. It IS a funny moment, I just wondered why my first thought was, "Aw, that's so adorable." Thinking more on my reaction I think it was the childlike trust Renfield had in the book. The book had helped him against Dracula so far, and he was thinking: "Perhaps it can be used as a ward?"

[@pugtie4695]

Same

[@applejayz1987]

Gives me Evelyn shouting "I LOVE YOU!" with the finger crosses

[@LulaRMuniz]

i also found it adorable. maybe because he's still so powerless but is doing his best and i was cheering for him and when he held it i was like "c'mon dude that's ridiculous it's not gonna work" but at the same time i had this instinct to encourage him and believe it's actually gonna work.

[@KartarNighthawk]

I always found Renfield's portrayal in the original Dracula novel to be fascinating, because for an 1890s depiction of the mentally ill it's surprisingly nuanced. It's made clear that he had a life before he became ill, that he has lucid moments wherein he feels terrible about his actions when ill, and when he tries to a) warn the cast about Dracula using him to access Mina and b) dies confronting the vampire when the others won't listen, it's played as a genuinely tragic moment. The novel criticizes the cast for not listening to Renfield's warning and writing him off as just a madman, and it condemns Dracula's manipulation of a mentally ill man as an especially evil act. For the era it was written I think it's shockingly good.

[@Krlytz]

That's one of the few things I loved about the original. Too bad the excessive lovely-dovey romanticism of the Victorian era made most of the rest a slog for me 😅

[@OscarGomez-hg8cb]

It’s also an incredible depiction of a psychologist of the era! Jack Seward is a genuinely compassionate, caring and noble healer who wants nothing more than to help his patients, though he understands his capacity for that is very limited and for some people the best he can do is limit their capacity to harm themselves. He’s often criticized as unprofessional for occasionally experimenting a bit with his patients (well, Renfield), but it’s clear from his notes it’s because his field at the time doesn’t have a lot of information and he is trying to look for ways to help him!

[@DawnDavidson]

@@OscarGomez-hg8cb yes, it was before much was known about “mental health” at all. As flawed as Freud’s psychological theories were, they were cutting edge at the time … and weren’t even published by the time the novel was written. I’ll be really interested to see this movie!

[@KartarNighthawk]

@@OscarGomez-hg8cb Yep. Seward and Renfield's relationship is a remarkably trusting one given the time period, the limitations of the science, and the genuinely dangerous nature of Renfield's illness. At minimum it demonstrates a core part of therapy: that the psychiatrist and the patient have to be working together to accomplish anything. And of course Seward's compassion, and that of friends of his, like Mina, is rewarded when Renfield puts his life on the line to stop Dracula--and despite dying in the attempt, may well have saved Mina from being fully vampirized in doing so. Stoker very much depicted his idealized version of the mental health system, and has it pay off in story.

[@KartarNighthawk]

@@DawnDavidson Hell, blood transfusions weren't a thing yet either. We don't tend to think of Dracula as sci fi but it's a good few decades ahead of its time in depicting the medical profession.

[@Crasteeh]

This may not have anything to do with the actual video, but i just wanna bring attention to the fact that for the 2 months i've been watching this content now, i can safely say this is one of the most supportive, Uplifting and kind communites i've seen on youtube. Kudos.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

That means so much to us. AND SHOULD TO YOU! You're part of it! Thank you for being here!!

[@thejaded]

What a compliment, you gonna remember that forever ❤

[@ridercrusader01julian65]

Reinfield is the kind of movie I respect the most. Silly, over the top ridiculous mayhem with a human element that grounds the film enough to tell me these are still people going through the ridiculousness

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Totally agree!

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

Those are the best kinds of movies!

[@Pip8448]

That is the reason I watch anime instead of TV shows now.

[@sweetfeliko]

I grew up with a narcissistic gaslighter as a dad. The Tangled episode and this one sum up both my trauma and my path out of it 😅 Thank you so much, Internet dads, for being here for us 🧡 I hope you're both doing good! Much love :)

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching and being here. :)

[@patatedesbois4748]

same here. It feels really good to see those videos

[@jasonchaos236]

Oh God I did too, why the hell is that so god damn common

[@arielsong1289]

Same here! Just got (almost got) into a fight with such dad, locked myself in room, saw this video. Very good timing internet dads!! Thank you so much!

[@christinaburkemper3105]

Me too. I am right there with you. Hugs 🫂 we deserved better

[@miciarokiri5182]

As we watched this scene I told my husband "This is really classic narcissism." Saw it with just adults but I think our boys, 13 and 16, are going to be seeing it soon. The gore is SO over the top that it might as well be blue raspberry kool-aid most of the time.

[@The-Busy-Beeeee]

Isn’t that like the whole point tho like satirising really old Dracula films?

[@emilyflowers9454]

Both my mom and my ex-husband are narcissists. My ex ditched me, but I'm stuck with my mom. We're states away from each other, but she's still in my head. Therapy is definitely needed.

[@mandipandi303]

I'm going to see this movie tomorrow. I'm so excited. I was raised by a narcissistic abuser and had no idea. It wasn't until I made friends who were like, "That is NOT okay," that I realized how bad it was. I finally cut ties and I've never been happier. Sadly, multiple people have cut her out of their lives and she still sees herself as the victim.

[@susanprice3377]

My son is in his 30s, divorced from his abusive wife ... who has succeeded in persuading the courts that *she* was the one threatened ... he is still suffering CPTSD from the end of their marriage. Nic Cage was painful for me to watch in that pivotal scene because what he did to Renfield was so familiar from what our son's ex did to him.

[@tkrause1116]

Ok, today would have been my 22nd wedding anniversary, but I was married to a narcissistic abuser (named Mark, LOL) and finally left that toxic codependent relationship 9 years ago. Watching this now makes me laugh, but also gives me chills as I will always remember what it was like. So spot on and now I have to watch Renfield!! Thank you @Cinema Therapy!!!

[@lilylou4693]

19:00 came to the comments to say this! It's THE best depiction of a NPD rage I've ever seen besides from living it. I'm not someone who likes to diagnose people with stuff but the more I go on on my own therapy, the more I suspect my mother to suffer from NPD. She behaved just like cage... Same crazy eyes, SAME narrative, same order of putting arguments... Everything, NAILED IT! I guess I'll never know for sure if she has NPD but watching this video is yet another clue toward that possib. The depiction is so accurate, it was even a little bit uncomfortable for me to watch the scene... And Jonathan is absolutely right : we laugh because is ment to be that way but the truth is : I can guarantee you, Redfield is TERRIFIED. As a kid, I wanted to pee myself when she cornered me like that. It's the same sensation you have when you come out of a car after an accident : an immense adrenaline rush and a sens of confusion. I think that's when I've learned to dissociate. Unfortunately, that the only model of "communication" I had growing up so I've picked some of that unhealthy anger and it's been ao difficult to unlearn all of that. Thank to the filn creators for touching on this subject and thank to Cinema Therapy to analyze this by the therapeutic lens; its been very validating to me ❤

[@ritachambers782]

During the "I will no longer tolerate abuse" etc scene I turned to my roommates who I'd gone with to the theater and I said "hey guys I think this movie's really good"

[@claratalbot7613]

I grew up with grandparents who were narcissists & like Reinfeld I didn't realize it until I had a good group of friends who accept me for who I am, don't prioritize their needs as more in important than mine, don't disrespect or ignore my boundaries, & don't push expectations onto me that I didn't want. Once I was out I found it so liberating to be able to live my life how I want & make choices for myself without being expected to get approval first & to spent the majority of my life taking care of my grandparents in their elder years. In the group we respect each others needs, boundaries, & we allow people to make choices for themselves as while will offer advice to each other but leave it ultimately up to the individual or individuals to make decisions for themselves

[@Batwing_Confetti]

Stoker’s vampire has always been such a perfect allegory for abusers even in spite of the lack of terminology Bram was working with for his time. Honestly I’m so grateful this film really steered into that reading, because it was probably my favorite things about the original story. I always found it very poignant and true to life how his iconic antagonist could project such an image of insurmountable power over individuals in his thrall, but in reality he was just a feeble parasite who subsisted off of cheap gaslighting tactics to avoid his plethora of crippling weaknesses. The strength of this vampire wasn’t his supernatural powers; it was that nobody in the contemporary setting of modern England would believe in those superstitions, and would sooner doubt their own sanity and keep these ‘imaginings’ to themselves out of shame. Van Helsing even charmingly refers to The Count as having a “child brain”, lacking deeper intuition or emotional intelligence, and it’s demonstrated perfectly through his actions. I think I remember one passage where Dracula boldly pontificates that he would have his “revenge against the world” or something to that effect, and absolutely none of the protagonists engage this with even the slightest inkling of curiosity in the diary entries the book is comprised of. Drac is just a pathetic, delusional shell of a man who wants to relive his good old days of cruelty and conquest, yet is ultimately undone by the first healthy friend group he comes up against and is chased back home and destroyed. It’s easily the best “power of friendship” stories ever written, as it denotes how powerful communication and social solidarity can be against even the most monstrous abusers. Renfield perfectly honors these themes in a way I haven’t seen in any other adaptations.

[@EvaMetalhankle]

The accuracy of it all... it's perfect. This may be a movie that will help me see the narcissist as a joke instead of the threat and help me end the nightmares that still haunt me.

[@truecrosscosplay841]

It took me so long to finally stand up to the narcissist in my life. The hardest part was that he is my dad, and for years I thought that I was the problem, and that if I tried hard enough, he would love me and accept me, but it was never good enough. Many times, if I wanted to confront him about his behavior and try to stick up for myself while trying to mend the relationship, the conversation would turn into him complaining about how bad his life was and how it was actually my fault for the things that went wrong in his life. Eventually, with the help of therapy, I was able to finally have my own sit down with my dad, and I laid out my boundaries and expectations, and while our relationship is not perfect, I don't hate myself anymore over him. When he does something that upsets me, I understand that it is a choice he made, and I don't have to take ownership of it, and I don't think I could've had that power or control over my life without the best internet dads in the world! Thank you Alan and Jono for being amazing people one episode at a time! Ya'll are awesome! :) :)

[@Surftheweb_1]

I knew as soon as I heard the premise for this film, I was super curious about what you guys would think of it. Great video as always!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Thanks so much!

[@banxeescreems3337]

Love the modern segway from a classic novel that pivots the voice of a maligned character! Narcissism is such a crushing and controlling force and finding self-worth and love is just the beginning to healing. I love both Nick/Nich’s and will definitely see this in theaters! Love something that’s campy and chock-full of psychologically relevant lessons.

[@lorihopkins6328]

My hubby and I saw “Renfield” this past Friday. He enjoyed it; I loved it! Props to the make-up department as well!

[@thomasveech7456]

I would love a cinema therapy of Warm Bodies. Same leading actor is phenomenal in it. Worlds greatest zombie romance all about change and what it means to live.

[@Carleen-po6js]

Hearing the husk and the victim scene is to perfect.

[@Copper_Dragon07]

I dealt with a narcissistic relationship for a year, and this one hits hard. I got out, but I wish I’d known then what I’m learning here now!

[@athenathaddiamaketes1606]

I'm not lying, I'm crying all the way through this. I'm a familial and spousal narcissistic personality disorder abuse victim. I'm trying at their back extremely confidentially to escape them with the intention of going towards to become truly independant on my own, becomes successful on my own terms and as well as I no longer want to hold the title of I'm a narcissistic abuse victim and gain the power/ resources/ capabilities to change it to I'm a narcissistic abused survivor. Thank you for this movie and cinema therapy KZbin channel, it's entertaining but also meaningful with purpose, this is the message that needs to spread to world, it's time to wake up to the existence of narcissistic personality disorder people/ abuse which I believe is a major contribution to the worlds' problems for soo long. Don't ever tolerate nor allow the narcs to abuse/ hurt others again without consequences.

[@SevenEllen]

I noticed that the "No! No! No! No! No! No!" Dracula delivers here is a very effective way of showing Dracula stopping Renfield from having his say.

[@justasmltwngir1732]

Alan being in TWO different ska bands in high school is so crazy

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Also a swing-punk band, and I played in a swing Big Band at a club in SLC for a few months. Being in High School in the late 90's was a TRIP.

[@justasmltwngir1732]

@@CinemaTherapyShow SWING-PUNK??? That’s incredible

[@darkbeauty44]

The fact that this channel does spooky movies in the middle of the Spring Season is just ONE MORE REASON why I watch this channel so diligently.

[@KyCandicee]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie surprisingly. The message of it being “I am enough” was comically and very well put through :)

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

It was a good balance of funny and sincere. :)

[@kobemarion1137]

I'm happy to see people actually enjoying this film. I don't see the big issue that the critics see, whatever it is.

[@lydiakies9053]

I recently ended a friendship that I didn't realize was narcissistic until now.. Ouch.

[@abigaillancaster382]

First of all, this is a fabulous video about a fabulous story. Secondly, I just wanted to say thank you for being such a wholesome, steady influence. My fiancé just broke off our engagement over text, and this video is just like a hug from a friend.

[@Sarbury12]

Hang in there Abigail. It hurts now but if that’s how they ended it, good riddance!

[@JonathanDecker]

I'm so sorry for the pain you're going through. We love you.

[@lisajohnson4744]

Over text is despicable. Brief hug from a stranger here. You deserve better.

[@GaijinBangya]

I need to see this! Not only because it looks good and funny, but because I'm in the process of regaining my power against my narcissistic dad, but also trying get my mom to wake up and see how she's being abused as well and this would probably be a great way to get her to see the similarities

[@PinkApocalypse]

Renfield quickly became one of my favourite movies of all time, I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it and were impacted by it as much as I was. First time I watched it I knew I was watching a future cult classic, incredible work to kirkman and all the team

[@sydneymarsden639]

I haven't even watched the episode yet and I already know I needed this video in the worst way. Thank you for the amazing content!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

You're so welcome!

[@KD-sz5bx]

I have to say this movie has made me ponder on an abusive relationship I endured 7 years ago and I stayed in the relationship thinking things would change but it never did. I found myself questioning who I am as a person and why I put myself in a physical and verbal abusive relationship for so long. I ended up leaving the relationship and moving back home to my home state because enough was enough and things could have ended up even more worse. Sometimes, you have to let go of the things that you hope they would change but they never do and you have to learn to leave. Thank you for this movie.

[@QueenOfTheZombieApocalypse]

I had been holding off on watching this until I saw the movie (which I just did) and WOW!!!! It is so so so good!! Even better than I had expected. I don’t think there was a single missed beat in the entire thing. The only critique my partner and I had was we wished it was longer because we wanted more!

[@trishapellis]

During "The scene", where Renfield starts saying that stuff about how hard it is to be undead after leafing through the book, at least I immediately understood that he'd reached a chapter on trying to be empathetic to the other person. I guess you have to know a bit about this stuff for that to click maybe, but it's obvious to me.

[@CarnivalChimera]

These more recent episodes about abusive relationships and Villain's therapy have been an immensely valuable resource for how I should write one of my story's villains. As well as revealing a very persistent pattern of "Wow I went through that didn't I?"

[@annagroesbeck9673]

I was gaslighted by someone who I thought was my best friend. Starting in highschool and into my first year of college this person was my main relationship. Letting go of that toxic friendship allowed me to overcome abandonment issues and learn how to be a person.

[@kelseywarren-bryant2682]

I was so excited to see you guys posted a video about Renfield! My husband and I went to see it earlier this week, and I told him that it was going to have be on our yearly Halloween watchlist now. It was so good 😂

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Great idea!

[@Tutta2902]

Honestly, my favorite tidbit is the way Dracula grabs the book and says; «who put these ideas into your head?» Because he, like many other abusers, assume that this could not have come from you, someone twisted you against them (and you got to pay.) It is just, so good.

[@laviniasnow4494]

For me, the switch that made me leave, close the door on this relationship behind me and wall it up was activated by a thing he said that basically meant he was using me to gain something. Gaining that specific something meant someone very dear to me was going to get really hurt. My protective instinct activated and activated the courage switch that gave me power to leave for good. After years of no contact out of the blue he started contacting me again, but he feels just neutral to me now, I am not in love anymore and I don't hate him. Frankly speaking, I could never hate him (not even when I wanted to), but I was afraid, very afraid. I'm an empath, but sometimes I wonder if I'm weird for having that type of mechanism get me out. 🤔

[@penelopeoftheshire]

This was the first movie I saw in theaters since pre-COVID, and I loved it! Very enjoyable

[@shannonmcelroy8454]

Thank you so much for giving this movie a watch! I love how it went into how to protect yourself from parasitic relationships and accepting responsibility for your own life, all in a package of action and comedy. It's one of the few times I've visited a film in the cinema these laste five years and have been on the edge of my seat because of how much fun and personality they put into making it. Plus, Nicholas Hoult is way underrated because of how easily he can slip in between comedy and thrillers with ease.

[@battery2720]

I love studying mythology and stuff, so seeing this movie keep true to everything we know about vampires, but having clever twists that actually work is so incredible to watch.

[@genielyon2022]

Nicolas Cage as Dracula in Renfield takes on a whole other layer if you think of it as following on from Nicolas Cage's unhinged character in Vampire's Kiss.

[@rpNerd]

When Cage hit that absurd "OKAY" I had flashbacks to the office scene from Vampire's Kiss and it kills me in the best way possible. The scene itself plays out like a few of the confrontations between me and my former narcissistic abuser. It feels very real and very tense for me but also so incredibly healing to see Renfield push back in ways I couldn't for myself then.

[@devilshomie]

That is so cool that you guys got Robert Kirkman as a guest. I'm a huge Walking Dead fan

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Very cool!!

[@hydevanhelsing5063]

Just saw this movie on Monday. Not only did I have a blast, but it was a film that might just have come out in a time of my life that I needed it most. Wonderful job Mr. Kirkman!

[@CarmenT1978]

I was in an abusive marriage... This movie is spot on.

[@Brilchan]

I watched it at the cinema REALLY loved the movie it was amazing

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

It's a fun one to see in theaters!

[@FeuerblutRM]

So cute how Hoult still looks like that teenage cutie he was in "Warm Bodies". So innocent and handsome. 💕

[@Atomicsaurian]

Love the poster behind Robert of the greatest movie ever made...

[@Ra.333]

It's interesting that this video was recommended to me tonight. I just came back from a birthday party I attended with my mother tonight. Not going is worse than going, trust me, I learned it the hard way and not the first time, unfortunately. She is an alcoholic since 2014. It's 2023. She is making my life and my brother's life a living hell. We don't have any relatives to turn to and she makes lots of threats if we ever dare to tell anyone how she really is. She does not acknowledge that she has a problem and she refuses to see a professional. She says bad things about us to other people to isolate us, so we won't have anyone to turn to. Outside the apartment she is this kind and polite lady, nobody physically far from her really knows how she is. I moved to a different continent to be as far away as possible from her, but after 3 years I decided to come to my country of origin to visit because I miss my brother and my culture. My day left her when we were very young and we have barely had any contact with him, he is a politician and never wanted to take care of us growing up. Things haven't changed around here. She is a high-functioning alcoholic. When she drinks, she breaks the entire apartment, she gets on fights with the neighbors (they have an idea of what goes on here, but other people, people from the family and the community in general don't know), she screams, gets on fights with cab drivers, she loses all her keys, loses her credit cards, loses her wallet, loses her phone, throws her phone against the wall and other things. I find it very hard to trust people because I have grown up hearing her destroy my image to people from the family and people in general, although I have always been a good kid and I never got in any trouble at all. I have a master's degree, I have studied abroad twice, no one has ever paid anything on my college education, I have never had any problems with authorities, I have never tried any type of drugs (nothing at all), I have always been a great student, I have always done everything that was asked of me. Now, as an adult, I see that I have accumulated too many things inside of me, I have been repressed and I'm not doing well psychologically. I'm having anxiety attacks around my mother and I get myself shaking of panic only to hear her coming to the front door. It's fear itself. I will go back to the country where I currently live and where I'm trying to build a life in a little bit more than two weeks, but it's very sad and lonely to be there all by myself, no one to rely on, to turn to, to talk to or to share things. Also not have anyone here in my country of origin to talk to while I'm there makes everything even more difficult. My brother has closed himself a lot because of everything he went through with our parents and he shields himself from everything that happens outside the world he has created for himself in his bedroom. I have problems whenever I have a romantic relationship with someone because I don't trust the person, I have abandonment issues since I was a young child, I see my mother and my father everywhere in the relationship both in my actions and in the other person's actions and I have even envied the relationship that some of my romantic interests had with their family. It's very had to be alone in the world and lonely as I am, but it is more detrimental to me to be around people.

[@beerivers3247]

Just watched this movie in theaters and had a blast! So happy to see you guys cover it!

[@santos8468]

Speaking of Nic Cage and toxic relationships, you should do an episode about Big Daddy and Hit Girl from Kick-Ass.

[@Firegen1]

I want to see this film so badly. Mostly cos I'm a massive nerd and in my head canon, this Dracula is what actually happens to Peter from Vampire's Kiss

[@AmaboTe]

Whomever wrote "Dracula: [whoosh to find his amuse-bouche]" for the CC needs to get a raise. I had to rewind just to make sure I read that correctly the first time, and just cackled.

[@raigrant680]

That is how they do it... 15.5 years of my life. STILL healing 6 years later...

[@silversniper7666]

The edits on everyone screwing up “Grow to full power” was great

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Our editors are amazing!

[@robinkholmes7127]

"Wha... that's so weird why would you fraise it like that? But yes!" Comedy gold.

[@MegaGreencarebear]

This film is a gem, as is this channel. 😊

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Aww thanks! 😊

[@renegadeotter17]

This movie is overall pretty light on scares since most of the gore is so cartoony, but in that confrontation scene when Dracula knocks the vase of flowers off the table, I always jump. It just feels so uncomfortably real.

[@Sarbury12]

I spent a year in a job with a boss just like Dracula. It was the only time in my life I’ve lost weight NOT on purpose. All my appetite was gone and I was down like 25 pounds in a bad way. My wedding ring had to be sized down. I felt helpless.

[@toddfraser3353]

The best defense I have found with a Narcissist Boss is for you to be Stoic and only be about the work, and document and save everything. And be sure you are also not connecting personally with others in their circle. Then get out as fast as you can. Don't be a threat or an ally.

[@LouMannion]

I love that Nicholas Hoult is, fully and unapologetically, being Hugh Grant.

[@PlanetClaireJ]

I absolutely loved this movie even though gory movies usually bother me! I appreciate your analysis and insights because it showed me that Renfield is even deeper than I realized in terms of relationship dynamics.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Thanks, that's one of the goals of our show! :)

[@moviemelody2210]

Is that Nicolas Cage as Dracula?! He’s so good

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

YES!

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

Both Cage and Hoult are amazing actors and I effing adore this film!

[@atanamorell2]

Renfield was amazing in every way 🎉

[@maplelaker]

I relived several emotional and psychological abuse situations that came from my boyfriend’s mom (our son’s caregiver ironically given to them by child welfare services) when I saw several scenes (but especially the scene where Renfield is in his studio apartment with Dracula) of the movie and again in this episode, but I loved the validation. My state has legislation that requires relatives to be looked into as foster first, and my boyfriend’s family said yes. This is just one case where kinship is not always the right thing, but there’s nothing past emotional and psychological abuse and his mom puts on a terrific mask.

[@harleyquinn5774]

I remember the Narcissists of my youth expressing how much they adored aristocratic vampires. I realized in my Narc Abuse Recovery that the traits of Vampires were symbolic of the traits of Pathological Narcissism.

[@happypigeon333]

I recently (FINALLY) saw Sunset Boulevard for the first time and fell in love with it. I wanna hear a diagnosis for Norma!!!! Give us Sunset!! 😊

[@stephaniecowans3646]

I've been seeing ad banners on sides of buses for this movie and thought "oh meh. . . another gory horror flick, how sad for Nicholas Cage", but then saw this episode and now am so eager to see the whole film if only to see how Renfield gets through this. Thankfully, I've never been in an abusive relationship, but even *I* could see in that one clip how Dracula was gaslighting Renfield ("I'M THE VICTIM, YOU'RE THE MONSTER!!"). I've been a fan/subscriber to this channel for a long time and this has to be the best episode you gents have done !!! (btw: why was Jono joining in via Zoom?)

[@ludeman]

This movie does have a lot of gore yet its so over the top it never grosses you out

[@SevenEllen]

15:58 "You're an empty void nothing can fill" That's Dracula projecting right there. He's a bottomless pit that no amount of blood can satisfy, or no amount of pleasure from malice if he were a real person inflicting abuse.

[@lillyf973]

The movie itself i found was crap but what drove me to see it again was just how freakin adorable and witty Nicholas Hoult is😅❤

[@Jollimorerebecca]

Went to see this movie with my sister last night and wow so much fun

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

This film looks so clever. I gotta see it. Really enjoyed this thank u, May you all grow to full power. (The cheerful cat curtains and bedsheets are killin me lol)

[@cainancapko4149]

I was admittedly hesitant to see this (I knew very little about it initially and gathered it was going to be very gory, which I can be squeamish about) - went with my family this past weekend and while there were definitely some scenes where I was like "Nope" and had to look away, it was still a fantastic movie and I'm glad I saw it in the end.

[@evieblue959]

Dude I thought I’d have to wait so much longer for your video on the movie this is great!!!!!!

[@nanean2125]

This is so awesome. So happy you guys are getting my faves on the show. You both deserve the world!! 😊

[@khartog01]

I love that the mob lady used Dracula title of prince to get on his good side.

[@brinashiloff3439]

Why is Jonathan in his house? I hope he’s feeling ok! And that he isn’t sick

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

He lives in another state, and we had the chance to shoot this on short notice, so we did it remotely.

[@shaereub4450]

​@@CinemaTherapyShow so do they usually meet in Alan's state/city or do they both travel to meet in the middle?

[@ue9r6]

​@Shae Reub they usually meet in Allan's basement

[@unaanguila]

Thanks for sharing the analysis of the movie and for the subs.

[@Krlytz]

*8 year old arriving at home after watching the movie* "Mom, Dad... I believe we are in a toxic relationship and I need to prioritize my needs"

[@ashleyphotog]

I was looking forward to seeing this film, now I can't wait!

[@spacecat8511]

I already wanted to watch this. Now I wanna watch it even more

[@danielhoneycutt2962]

18:54 had me on the floor crying😂

[@KxNOxUTA]

Oh gosh some of these things hit home quite a bit. Though thankfully more in the area of "narcissistic behaviours in ppl" than clinical narcissist (of 0 therapy)

[@Sleebers]

Warm Bodies was also beauty and gory. Same actor!

[@maracandeago3293]

"Thought about any of my needs in years".

[@phantomflower6749]

Another thing that I don't see brought up, is when Dracula pays a visit to the therapy group to kill them. You can draw similarities to that scene to what some narcissists would do. The whole thing is obviously about isolation. Some narcissists would inject themselves in their victim's social groups and tear them apart from the inside by telling exaggerated lies or make threats to the third party. Because a third party is more likely to spot the toxic behaviors than the victim in question and try to get them out from the narcissist's control.

[@annemarieo.3072]

Thank you so much!

[@nataliasclarandi8204]

Just in time for my birthday 😏 thanks for the sneak peak

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Happy birthday!

[@fallyntalyn]

This is my mom, backing me into a corner, making me feel like i"m 6. Thanks for going over this.

[@melaniesimkins4154]

Editor's note - the clip with Lou Costello & Bela Lagousi is from Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein (not House of Dracula) I haven't seen Renfield yet, but can't wait

[@emilyklinefelter3062]

I saw this movie and kept hearing Cinema Therapy in my head lol So glad you did a review of it ^_^

[@tonygoodwinjr9293]

This was a GREAT take on the mythos of Dracula!

[@leannafelts2276]

I just saw this movie and about 2 minutes in I’m thinking “oh cinema therapy is going to have a field day with this”. Love your channel keep up the great work

[@darrenwiggins9957]

This flew over so many peoples heads. Some just do not understand great satire.

[@badateverything5392]

Tucker and Dale Vs Evil would be a good one on prejudice XD