INHERITANCE, THE
(director: Alejandro Brugues; screenwriter: Chris LaMont, Joseph Russo; cinematographer: Vincent De Paula; editors: Steve Mirkovich, Hannah K. Gilliam; music: Mondo Boys; cast: Bob Gunton (Charles Abernathy), Peyton List (Cami Abernathy), Briana Middleton (Hannah Abernathy), Rachel Nichols (Madeline Abernathy), Austin Stovell (Drew Abernathy), David Walton (self-host), Reese Alexander (security); Runtime: 84; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Paul Schiff; Vertical; 2024)
“The intriguing premise never reaches its potential.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
The capable Argentinian director Alejandro Brugues (“Satanic Hispanics”/”Juan of the Dead”) and script writers Chris LaMont and Joseph Russo, noted for their action screenplays, can’t get the handle on this thriller that exits its mystery story for one of horror. Flawed by a lame script, poor execution and lack of character development, the intriguing premise never reaches its potential despite its uncanny twists, its scary haunted house-like atmosphere and chilling scenario. It’s the stunning visuals that keep you watching the listless film.
The industrialist billionaire, the 75-year-old widower, Charles Abernathy (Bob Gunton), brings his four conflicted grown children together (they don’t seem to like each other) to celebrate his birthday in his isolated country Victorian manor, with him strangely believing he will depart the world today (to keep his wealth he inherited from his father, who mismanaged it, he made a Faustian deal with Mammon, and now believes his time is up).
The children are: the estranged Drew (Austin Stowell), running dad’s charity; the oldest sibs, the self-absorbed unmarried twins Madeline and CJ (Rachel Nichols and David Walton), who run the business empire and care only about the money; and the youngest, Cami (Peyton List), who is into social media as an influencer. Also present is Drew’s wife, Hannah (Briana Middleton), a woman of color, from an ordinary family, who comes along to the party as an outsider even when told the invite was only for the immediate family.
Charles and the family are locked in for the night so no intruder can get inside the mansion. If he survives the night Charles will the next day divide the inheritance among the four children, if not all the money will go to his charity.
Spoiler alert.
The film unravels on an unconvincing note when the children are all murdered at night by supernatural forces. It ends with Charles, the demon-worshiper, making a new pact with Mammon to take the lives of his children to save his ass.
It’s an unremarkable horror pic, whose clever story wasn’t that clever.
REVIEWED ON 7/22/2024 GRADE: C