Dave Franco’s directorial debut in ‘The Rental’ is marked by great performances and a strong central concept, but much of the film suffers a lack of real suspense.
Despite the proverbial advice to be wary of strangers, the ‘sharing economy’ has opened up a host of new and novel experiences. Where we once felt strange about being vulnerable in that way, it isn’t uncommon anymore to be transported by a stranger to stay at a stranger’s house. What’s even more novel is that this has all become so commonplace that we tend to trust these experiences, these vulnerabilities, in ways that would have felt bizarre in earlier days. But how do you know you’re safe? And are you really? In The Rental, actor-turned-director Dave Franco answers this question with a resounding ‘no!’ Dave Franco’s directorial debut sees four friends check into an Airbnb for a little getaway and get way more than they bargained for. Charlie (Dan Stevens) is a wealthy tech entrepreneur who books a getaway with his wife Michelle (a great but under-utilized Alison Brie), brother Josh (Jeremy Allen White), and Mina (Sheila Vand), Josh’s girlfriend and Charlie’s business partner.
