Movie Review: THE INHERITANCE

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Staff Writer

Posted: July 12th, 2024 / 02:02 AM

THE INHERITANCE | ©2024 Vertical/Netflix/Eric Milner

Rating: Not Rated
Stars: Bob Gunton, Peyton List, Briana Middleton, Rachel Nichols, Austin Stowell, David Walton, Reese Alexander
Writers: Chris LaMont & Joseph Russo
Director: Alejandro Brugués
Distributor: Vertical
Release Date: July 12, 2024 (theatrical and VOD)

NBC’s horror anthology series THE NIGHT GALLERY ran from 1969 through 1973. Created and hosted by Rod Serling, the show mixed gore with gentility in often upscale surroundings that looked expensive without being too extensive for television, and almost always with a twist ending.

While THE INHERITANCE is a 2024 single-story feature (not to be confused with multiple other films with the same title) rather than a ‘60s/’70s television segment, it somehow harks back to that sensibility. It’s got the aesthetic, the pacing and the premise.

Since we open on book pages containing writings about making deals with the devil, we’ve got the jump on most of the characters as THE INHERITANCE starts.

Then we’re outside the enormous Abernathy mansion. Twins CJ (David Walton) and Madeline (Rachel Nichols), executives in the family business, haven’t seen their younger siblings Drew (Austin Stowell) and Kami (Peyton List) in two years. Drew and his wife Hannah (Briana Middleton) run the family’s charitable foundation, while Kami is finding bliss in being an influencer.

Their father, phenomenally wealthy Charles Abernathy (Bob Gunton), has sent them all written invitations – essentially, a summons – to arrive at the house today, on the eve of his seventy-fifth birthday.

THE INHERITANCE movie poster | ©2024 Vertical/Netflix

Although Charles has been quite specific about it being immediate family only, Drew has brought Hannah. CJ and Madeline don’t approve of Hannah, but then, they’re snobbish toward Drew and Kami as well.

Charles greets his offspring with an almost literal utterance of, “You may wonder why I’ve gathered you all here.” The assumption had been that it was because of his impending natal observance, but no, that’s not it.

The Abernathy patriarch explains that he doesn’t expect to make it through the night, not because he’s ill, but because he is certain someone will try to kill him. He has brought his children here to protect him. They are free to leave before the doors are locked, but if they do, they will be disinherited.

Oddly, Charles has sent home both the domestic staff and his security team. Even trusted chief of staff Miles (Reese Alexander) must remain outside until morning. Charles says his children are the only ones he can really trust.

From these outlines, we can put together where this is going, but THE INHERITANCE glides along smoothly. The screenplay by Chris LaMont & Joseph Russo reliably hits the right beats for the subgenre in the correct order, mixing suspense, jump scares, investigation, explanation, and action. There are a couple of unexplained issues pertaining to what can occur supernaturally and what requires human activity, but we roll with it.

Director Alejandro Brugués creates the right kind of haunted house look and feel. The makeup effects are impressive and midair liquid effects are great, but there are a couple of places where cutaways are used, rather than fluid motion. It’s not clear if this is an artistic choice or a budgetary matter.

There are enjoyable Easter egg nods throughout, including a statue of Pazuzu (it doesn’t factor into the plot, but it’s recognizable). Brugués uses the available shooting space in ways that suggest the vastness of interior grandeur that tycoon riches can purchase.

Veteran actor Gunton knows precisely what’s called for here, and brings it forth with verve. Middleton is likable as the primary voice of reason.

THE INHERITANCE is retro horror that will especially appeal to those with nostalgia for this subgenre’s heyday.

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