Airbnb can be a fun affordable alternative for those feeling adventurous and craving a more intimate vacation experience vacation. Because nothing beats closer proximity and greater likelihood to try the local food specialties, take in the sights, and embrace the culture. But stepping foot into someone else’s personal space doesn’t always feel like a holiday. Filth, flies, and freaky owners could be commonplace, in a stay gone wrong. To that end, “The Rental” may as well join the long list of actual Airbnb horror stories.
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After 10+ years in front of the camera, actor Dave Franco (the “Now You See Me” and “Neighbors” franchises) goes behind it for the first time in the sinister thriller, “The Rental.” The project—one that he also co-produced and co-wrote with Joe Swanberg (“Drinking Buddies” & “Win It All”)—looks to eschews the laughs Franco is known for and go for something much much creepier.
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Headlining the movie’s cast is Alison Brie (“GLOW”), Franco’s partner in “The Disaster Artist” and real-life spouse. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt set the bar pretty high in the genre with “A Quiet Place,” so it will be interesting to see what Franco and Brie bring to the dynamic of real-life couples acting together on screen. Joining Brie for a scream or two are Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey” & “Legion”), Sheila Vand (“A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night”), Jeremy Allen White (“Shameless”) and Toby Huss (“Dickinson”).
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Here’s the synopsis:
Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a whole new light. Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Jeremy Allen White, and Sheila Vand star in this unnerving and sophisticated debut thriller from Dave Franco (NEIGHBORS, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, THE DISASTER ARTIST).
“The Rental”—distributed by IFC Films—is set to be released in theaters and on-demand on July 24. Check out the trailer below and don’t expect turndown service. Or a mint on the pillow.