Inheritance

Movie Trailer

Release Date
May 22, 2020

Genre
Thriller, Drama, Mystery

Cast & Crew

• Lily Collins as Lauren Monroe
• Simon Pegg as Morgan Warner
• Connie Nielsen as Catherine Monroe
• Chace Crawford as William Monroe
• Patrick Warburton as Archer Monroe
• Michael Beach as Harold Thewlis

Director
Vaughn Stein

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• Terminal (2018)
• Yussef Is Complicated (2015)
• The Beneficiary (2016)

Producer
Richard B. Lewis
David Wulf
Adele Romanski

Writer
Matthew Kennedy

Budget
$11 million

Production Company
Ingenious Media
Southpaw Entertainment
CaliWood Pictures

Running Time
111 minutes

Languages
English (Original)

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Some violence
• Language
• Mature themes

Movie Story
Inheritance is a tense thriller that delves into the dark secrets that can be hidden within a wealthy and powerful family. The film opens with the sudden death of Archer Monroe (Patrick Warburton), a wealthy and influential patriarch whose passing leaves behind a vast fortune and a complex legacy. His daughter, Lauren Monroe (Lily Collins), is a successful district attorney who is grappling with her father’s death and the responsibilities that come with her family’s wealth. Lauren’s brother, William Monroe (Chace Crawford), is a congressman with political ambitions, and their mother, Catherine Monroe (Connie Nielsen), is the poised and composed matriarch.

As the family gathers to deal with the aftermath of Archer’s death, Lauren is given a secret inheritance by her father’s lawyer—an envelope containing a key and a cryptic message. Following the instructions, Lauren discovers a hidden bunker on the family estate, where she finds a mysterious man named Morgan Warner (Simon Pegg) chained up. Morgan reveals that he has been held captive for over 30 years, and as Lauren tries to uncover the truth, she learns that her father was not the man she thought he was.

The film builds suspense as Lauren is forced to confront the shocking and dangerous secrets of her father’s past, all while trying to protect her family’s reputation. As she delves deeper into the mystery of Morgan’s imprisonment, Lauren uncovers a web of corruption, deceit, and moral compromise that threatens to unravel everything she knows. The tension escalates as Lauren must decide whether to continue her father’s legacy or expose the truth, putting her career, family, and life at risk.

Simon Pegg delivers a chilling performance as the enigmatic Morgan, whose motives and true identity remain unclear until the film’s final moments. Lily Collins’ portrayal of Lauren captures the character’s internal struggle as she grapples with loyalty to her family and her own moral compass. The film’s twists and turns keep the audience guessing, leading to a climactic and morally complex conclusion.

Special Effects
Inheritance is a character-driven thriller that relies more on atmosphere and tension than on special effects. The film’s production design effectively uses the eerie and claustrophobic setting of the underground bunker to create a sense of dread and suspense. The lighting and cinematography add to the ominous tone, making the most of the confined space where much of the film’s tension unfolds.

Box Office Performance
Inheritance had a limited theatrical release and was simultaneously released on digital platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it didn’t achieve significant box office success, the film garnered attention on streaming services, where it found an audience among fans of psychological thrillers.

Filming Locations

• Birmingham, Alabama, USA
• New York City, New York, USA

Notable Quotes

• “Your father left you something. He left it for you and you alone.” – Harold Thewlis
• “Sometimes your secrets find a way of coming out.” – Morgan Warner
• “Everything I did, I did for my family.” – Archer Monroe

Behind-the-Scenes
Director Vaughn Stein crafted Inheritance as a psychological thriller that focuses on the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. The film’s script attracted Lily Collins and Simon Pegg, both of whom were drawn to the dark and twisted narrative. Pegg underwent a physical transformation to portray the emaciated and disheveled Morgan Warner, a stark departure from his usual comedic roles. The film’s tight shooting schedule and contained setting added to the intense atmosphere on set.

Awards

• N/A

Final Verdict
Inheritance is a gripping thriller that explores the dark underbelly of wealth and power, with strong performances from Lily Collins and Simon Pegg. While the film’s pacing may be slow at times, its suspenseful narrative and moral complexity make it an engaging watch. Fans of psychological thrillers will appreciate the film’s twists and the ethical questions it raises, even if it doesn’t break new ground in the genre.

IMDb Rating
5.5/10