Directed by Alejandro Brugués and written in collaboration by Chris LaMont and Joe Russo, The Inheritance was released on July 12 to a mixed audience response. With the great Bob Gunton (The Shawshank Redemption, 24 and The Lincoln Lawyer) heading the cast, I had high expectations for the movie but personally found it never quite hit the mark.
The Plot Behind The Inheritance
As a highly successful business man, Charles Abernathy (Gunton) has had to make some unscrupulous decisions and step on some serious toes to reach the affluent heights of the world of the wealthy. In fear that one particular decision has put a price on his head, Charles gathers his offspring to offer a dramatic, off-the-wall proposal.
Once his family are gathered in his sprawling mansion, Charles explains to them that someone (or something) will come to take his life on the stroke of midnight. In order to receive their multi-billion dollar inheritance, he tells his astonished audience, they will be locked in the house overnight and become the mogul’s security detail for the night. Should Charles die, their fortune will be donated to a fore chosen charity. He also announces that his usual security team have been sent home, which seems like a strange decision until he explains his actions here were down to trust.
It soon becomes apparent that the siblings are dealing with something way beyond the realms of the natural. What follows is a fight for survival as the brothers and sisters face their worst fears.
When I use the term ‘plot’, I do so loosely. It comes across as little more than an excuse to get the characters to find themselves locked in a house with a ghost. There’s no real premise to follow or story to get one’s teeth stuck into. While this is sometimes welcome in the world of horror, The Inheritance would have greatly benefited from a little substance.
A Commendable Horror
Despite its borderline insulting premise, The Inheritance is actually a pretty solid horror movie with fresh ideas and some genuinely great moments. It works wonders to hold intrigue, not through the tenuous story, but through unique horror moments and fresh approaches. While The Inheritance won’t be keeping anyone awake at night, there are a handful of scenes that play on viewer tension and build it up in a way that absorbs the audience as they bask in the vibes of classic horror cinema.
There are some pretty slick visual effects also thrown into the mix. With one scene showing a girl who had drowned early into the movie with blood oozing from a wound in her head and floating upwards as if still in the water. This is just one example of a number of similar strokes of genius that are displayed throughout the relatively short 85 minutes that the movie spans.
As I say, it’s unlikely to keep you awake at night, or keeping the lights on but the moments that make this movie stand out are more than worth the time of any fan of the horror genre.
The Inheritance – Summary
While not exactly terrifying, The Inheritance holds its own weight in many other ways. Brugués perfectly shows off his prowess with clever direction and a handful of key moments that work to make the movie shine.
The tame manner of The Inheritance and its reluctance to go all out on the fear factor, make it an ideal movie for younger fans of horror and those looking to get into the world of horror. If you’re looking for something to keep you awake at night, give this one a swerve.
