PROVOKR PICK: THE RENTAL
Airbnb Horror with Alison Brie and Dan Stevens
In The Rental, two couples, Michelle (Alison Brie) and Charlie (Dan Stevens) and Mina (Sheila Vand) and Josh (Jeremy Allen White), rent an oceanside Airbnb for a weekend getaway. What was supposed to be a celebratory weekend for old friends, soon turns into something terrifying when they believe that the owner of the home, Taylor (Toby Huss), is spying on them. Before long, old secrets emerge and relationships are thrust into peril. But before they can handle the romantic drama, they must first escape from the madman’s home.
The Rental marks Dave Franco’s directorial debut. He wrote the script along with Joe Swanberg. In April, IFC Films acquired distribution rights to the movie. And although only a basic logline is known, we have a trailer that offers a good idea of what to expect. The trailer introduces us to the two couples, as well as the Airbnb owner Taylor. We immediately know Taylor is bad news when he responds to Michelle’s question about a telescope for stargazing. He says the only reason someone would need a telescope is to spy on their neighbors. Yikes.
Other than the incredibly creepy homeowner, a lot of drama seems to be brewing beneath the services for these friends. While the trailer, which promises a horror movie that relies more on atmospheric eeriness than jump scares, does not give us too much, it doesn’t seem like it would be too great a leap to assume cheating. Specifically, it seems that Mina and Charlie may have had, or are having a fling. Of course, this is all only speculation and you will only get answers by watching this spooky movie.
See The Rental on-demand July 24, 2020.
