Inheritance (I) (2004) User Reviews

Not so Scary in Seattle

[tom2hoo · 6/10 · 20 April 2005]

A good looking film with great performances but the suspense was not as great as I like to feel in a film of this genre so I was a bit disappointed overall. That said, I think the film shows a lot of promise with respect to the creative team that was behind it so I hope to see more from them in the future. You can see influences of Kubrick and Hitchcock but overall the pace was either too slow or did not build sufficiently for me. The climax was less than convincing and I left the theater wanting more from the material. Sounds cliché, but I think there was a great movie in there somewhere I just don't think it was realized with this film.

Subtle Independent Horror film has mild chills.

[loomis78-815-989034 · 6/10 · 15 March 2013]

Mrs. Lillian Baker (Nelson) is a dynamic, but elderly woman who has to resort to having a caretaker, a young woman named Abby (Taylor), to help her get around. It seems clear that the bitter woman is close to death but seems to have something up her sleeve. After passing away, Abby soon discovers that the spirit of Mrs. Baker has taken up residence in her own body. The two souls battle for the one body in this mildly effective independent film. Director and co-writer Kris Kristensen does not set out to make a shock and gore show, but instead uses subtle tension and psychological scares to fill his movie. The performances are good, especially from Marjorie Nelson as Mrs. Baker. We really feel her frustration at being old and the flashes of menace do supply some chills. Fans of subtle character driven horror will enjoy this with a fun twist at the end. If you are looking for jumps, shocks or searing horror, then look elsewhere.

"I didn't think they have listings for exorcists in the yellow pages." Awful.

[poolandrews · 1/10 · 13 February 2006]

Inheritance tells the tale of sinister old lady Lillian Baker (Marjorie Nelson) & her kind hearted, good natured carer Abigail Nielsen (Jen Taylor). Abigail feels sorry for Lillian & does her best to keep her happy, however one fateful night Lillian passes away in her sleep. Abigail is obviously upset & attends Lillian's funeral to say her goodbyes, it soon comes to light that Lillian has left Abigail her large house & it's entire contents a situation which Lillian's daughter Joan (Kathryn Mesney-Hetter) is unhappy with. The reason for Lillian's generosity becomes clear as her spirit starts to possess Abigail & take complete control of her body...

Edited, co-written, co-produced & directed by Kris Kristensen all the negative reviews & comments about Inheritance are true as far as I'm concerned. There is one thing I must say at this point, on the IMDb 'User Rating' page for Inheritance, at the time of writing, it has 17 '10' votes out of a total of 74 which just doesn't seem right to me. There is no way on Earth that Inheritance should have almost twice as many '10' votes as any other, I mean this film is just so bad it's untrue & those votes have to be fake, they just have to be otherwise I will lose all faith in humanity & question my entire existence on this planet. Now, what can I say about Inheritance? Well nothing particularly good that's for sure. Basically the whole thing is terrible, the story is very predictable, it has very few character's & no subplots to alleviate the tedium. This might have made a decent 25 odd minute Tales from the Crypt (1989 - 1996) episode because at almost 90 minutes this is tedium incarnate.

Director Kristensen films on what looks like a camcorder & has that cheap & nasty look to it. This has all the grace & visual flair of a soap opera but none of the style... The climax is hilariously bad as Kristensen tries to make three old ladies in their 80's or 90's look threatening & menacing! There is no tension, atmosphere or scares. There is no blood or gore & one tame sex scene.

Technically this has to be one of the most low-budget films ever, nothing happens & it all take space in one house with three basic actors. On a completely unrelated note while still a blonde Taylor the lead actress in Inheritance looks like a girl I know, she ended up crushing chocolates I brought for her under her high heeled shoes & gave me a good kick in the privates but that's another story...

Inheritance is awful, there really isn't much else to say & I can't really think of one positive thing to say about it. If you are unlucky enough to rent it out just don't say you weren't warned...

A for effort, but beyond that...

[beehatch2 · 1/10 · 16 June 2006]

I wouldn't bother writing a review, but looking on the site it really is painfully obvious that director, his friends and cast are responsible for most of the reviews here.

I have seen things worse than this, but this is towards the bottom. The lead actors are just barely OK and generally have no presence. The lesser actors are pretty much hopeless.

The direction is very much of the this happens, then this happens school of thought. There's very little grasp here of how moments feel or tie together. Basically someone got a camera and had some people read some lines in front of it. There's nothing more than this going on here.

The cinematography is very stiff and slightly over lit.

Looking at the efforts made here to try to promote this film, it is possible they spent more time on marketing it, then on writing their screenplay.

Not much else to say. Congratulations guys, you managed to make a movie with no resources (it is tough). It's just not a very good movie.

Unusual independent film - What happened?

[sally1-1 · 3/10 · 14 December 2005]

The copy I screened was packaged nicely. I admit that 3/4 of the way through it I almost shut it off. But bad movies get made all the time. This isn't the unusual thing about this DVD. Upon reading the reviews here at IMDb, I'm convinced that most of the reviewers had to be in the filmmaker's camp. There is no other way to explain someone actually saying "this is a great film." The story, directing and acting are all mediocre at best. But how they got the lead is really a mystery. Her full frontal sex scene is somehow more embarrassing when you start thinking how they talked her into it. Did she think this was going to be a critical success, a breakthrough role for her? I don't know. After a little research I discovered that the producer and director are the team that created the wonderful short film "Whiteface." How they made a picture like this is a good question indeed. Now, I did visit the website. This is where things get even more bizarre. They started a petition to try to get the film distributed into theaters. They somehow reasoned (according to the website) that the lead's previous voice work for the xbox game "Halo" would somehow be a box office draw.

Top 10 worst of all time

[vincent-100 · 1/10 · 29 July 2004]

This movie is not intelligent, and there is nothing contemporary about it. It is not Hitchcock-like, and does not resemble the Shining in any way whatsoever. It is shot with a hand-held camera, and resembles a home video. Don't get excited, though, and think "Ah, like Blair Witch!" It's not like Blair Witch either. It truly does look like it was shot at someone's house on bored Sunday afternoon. I kept waiting for the camera to pull back and show the protagonists watching videos they had made, but it was not to be. The acting is appalling, to say the least. Avoid at all costs, and reprimand your video store owner for displaying it on the shelf. It is unbelievable that anyone would actually give this a 10.

Worst of the worst. How does crap like this get MADE?!?!?!?!!

[frellingdren · 1/10 · 18 April 2005]

I am a very open minded movie-goer. And I have seen EVERYTHING out there (in terms of horror/sci-fi)...even the crop of low-budget, filmed on video crap that is flooding the video stores these days.

This movie... was one of the WORST THINGS I HAVE EVER MADE MYSELF SIT THROUGH IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I RARELY write reviews like this. But. I often come on IMDb and other such sites and read reviews and look at ratings... to get a basic idea of the tone of a film. I recently saw DEAD BIRDS because of IMDb reviews and really, really enjoyed it. It is now clear to me now that the only people who could have POSSIBLY enjoyed this movie enough to write theses glowing reviews I have read about it...were people who worked on it or stand to make a buck from it.

There is NOTHING redeeming about this movie. NOTHING. Well... I take that back. There is ONE good camera shot in the entire video. But even that shot lasts 2 minutes too long... so. yeah. NOTHING REDEEMING.

I don't mean to be a jerk... but. PEOPLE. PLEASE! Save your free rental.... this movie is not worth it! I turned it off after 40 minutes... and then decided to MAKE myself watch the rest so that I wouldn't feel like a heel when I came online and vented my frustration at having spent 4$ on this slime.

The main girl (from HALO, I hear...which I love)... is NOT LEADING LADY MATERIAL. She seemed like... a girl in my high school drama class who was only there because it was an easy credit. Her friend at the diner was more leading lady than she was. NOTE TO THAT ACTRESS: Please take my humble advice and GET A NOSE JOB. If you do that.... you will go much farther than drivel like this.

The other actors in this movie (her boyfriend especially) were the WORST OF THE WORST. My god in heaven. There aren't even words. Where did you dig these people up? Maybe it wasn't the actors... maybe it was just that the script was SO BAD. ... No... It was BOTH. Horrid actors AND horrid script. Did I mention the horrid music yet? Reminded me of Friday the 13th: The Series... only... not quite that good.

Some of the dialog was SO BAD... that I sampled it to my computer for future fun. My favorite line was: "You'll like death... its boring!"

Please God in heaven.... Please. Hear my prayer. Stop people from making this kind of crap anymore. I honestly feel like I am going to have an aneurysm if I keep thinking about people spending untold hours on a waste of time such as this.

Someone, somewhere gave this movie a greenlight. What planet am I living on? I could film myself clipping my toe-nails and it would be better than this WASTE OF TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tight, fast paced independent thriller

[the-robertsons · 7/10 · 9 January 2006]

A tight little thriller that plays more on the intellect than the gut, although there were definitely a couple of scenes that had me quite tense. Nelson and Taylor give fine performances, and the camera work and pacing keep your interest throughout. The avoidance of clichéd "jump scenes", and the fact that most of this suspense/thriller flick is shot in daylight provides a pleasant contrast to the now mundane teen slasher/startlers, and adds increased drama to the scenes that are set at night or in darkened surroundings. The ending is also quite satisfying, allowing you to think for yourself and decide which of several possible explanations for the events in the movie is the solution. Thumbs up!

omg!

[LynchsLovechild · 1/10 · 22 April 2006]

what a waste of money.

I seriously want to go back to the video shop to get my money back. I mean, how did this even make it to Australia???? The film is shot without a filter and has absolutely no atmosphere whatsoever! The acting was terrible, the script was a total waste of paper and the cinematography.... what cinematography? All the action takes place in one house, with some crappy bluescreen scenes for good meassure. Honestly, I've seen homemade porno films with more ambiance. In fact I was disappointed that it wasn't a porno. My boyfriend and I fast forwarded the whole thing to see the sex scene and it was the lamest thing ever.

I just don't understand how this movie was even made! Who funded it?, where'd the money come from? The amount of time and effort put in to this could have helped the UN children's fund or something. So far the only thing they have achieved is a heap of bad reviews on IMDb and a few fake glowing ones that I'm sure the the filmmakers wrote themselves.

Not scary. Not even funny.

I feel so ripped off.

Unique, tense, well-done film.

[DarkBastion · 9/10 · 22 May 2004]

Kristensen weaves an intriguing and visually polished tale through Inheritance. An extremely well done thriller with touches of Kubrick, Hitchcock, and Kristensen's own unique style. The film's tension is very well done, as it builds with a sure pace that keeps the viewer engaged. The characters, especially Taylor's eager-to-please Abbey, draw the audience in as the story progresses and the tension builds. It's very unique and very fun; certainly a great change of pace from the norm. Excellent performances by Taylor (the voice of Halo's Cortana) and Nelson. Inheritance is a breath of fresh air in a market glutted with cookie-cutter suspense thrillers; a very well done, very enjoyable film. Kristensen and Taylor are talents to watch.

If there's one movie you never see, make this it!

[vincent-100 · 1/10 · 26 July 2004]

It's almost irresistible to deduce that the three principal characters and the director were the first people to cast their votes for this movie, giving it a 10. Surely nobody else would even consider giving it more than 1. It is absolutely dreadful. It looks like a home video, shot without a filter. The acting is the horror part of the movie itself. Movies like these should not be released at all. I felt duped, and couldn't bring myself to watch it through. I did skip to the end, though, just to see the fantastic twist that couldn't. Seriously, it's really terrible. (SPOILER ALERT!!! AS IF IT MATTERS!) It's almost entirely shot in a house, and there's one scene where Abbey, now possessed by a dead granny, is talking to the ghost of the granny in herself. She 'sees' the granny sitting in a chair, and starts talking to her. But since she's really talking to herself this entails her addressing the chair, then walking to it, sitting down, and talking back to herself at the other end of the room. Then she gets up, walks back to the other side of the room and assumes her Abbey character. It's comical. But it's also not really comical. And this particular scene is shot in broad daylight with birds chirping happily outside. There's no tension or horror element at all. I wish I could more strongly express my disgust for this title, but I can't. Give it a skip.

Intelligent contemporary horror film

[bogwood · 9/10 · 19 October 2002]

INHERITANCE channels classic 70s horror films like THE SHINING but is imbued with contemporary touches that firmly ground it in the here and now. Unlike the recent spate of teen slasher flicks, INHERITANCE draws you in with mystery and suspense and a plot that keeps you guessing right up until the end. Gorgeous cinematography and production design help to set and maintain an atmosphere that is both eerie and realistic. Nice understated performances by the leads help INHERITANCE transcend the expected conventions of the genre. Overall, a fresh, interesting take on the classic ghost story.

I really enjoyed this film!

[JeffreyS_72 · 8/10 · 7 January 2005]

Brilliantly chilling. Beautifully shot. Artfully subtle. INHERITANCE is a great film. I've seen about a dozen indy/low budget films at festivals over the past five years and I don't like indy films in general, but this is one of two I have been surprised by and liked. Once it gets moving it's a very enjoyable cinematic ride. The story is great and well told. The film is sort of a noirish mystery/ghost story with a really great psychological undercurrent. A number of scenes had me practically vibrating in my seat with chills. The gorgeous palette and sets really added to the story as does a wonderful soundtrack with a couple of original songs by Robyn Hitchcock. I bet Twilight Zone and Buffy fans will really like it.

Give this one a shot

[jaman777 · 10/10 · 16 December 2004]

It has truly been a while since a movie has stuck with me this long. INHERITANCE peels away at the layers of fear and rubs your nerve endings raw until all you are left with is the fear itself. This movie haunts you long after the standard "scary" film would have vanished from your psyche. It can be likened to an addict with two persona's. One persona is lively and full of worth, yet the second persona is lingering somewhere between a death wish, and the kind of hangover that makes you wake up in a cold sweat wondering what in the hell you might have done the night before. If you loved "The Shining", do yourself a favor and fall in love with Inheritance.

Very good, atmospheric flick

[travis-j-rodgers · 8/10 · 4 February 2005]

**Minor Spoiler, maybe?** I gave this film an 8 though I would've gone 8.5 if I could've. It's certainly a solid B or better. I like picking up horror films that I've never heard of from the video store. I set my expectations low but I'm often disappointed anyway. This was an exception. This is probably the best of the class I've described.

Some of the acting is very good (female leads) and some of it is less than impressive (the lawyer, for instance, in a brief scene). The story built slowly over the first half hour, but if you can handle the slow burn, you'll be rewarded.

My only complaint is the brief nudity. I think it didn't add anything to the film, though it did seem a bit out of place, and so distracted from the story. The same effect could have been achieved without nudity, that's the bottom line.

Excellent story, directing and visuals.

[bmagrini · 10/10 · 2 February 2005]

This is really a sleeper and I was surprised at how good it was. This is not your run of the mill horror flick. It is more intellectually frightening, than grotesquely horrifying. It was one of those flicks where you stare at the credits after the movie is over because you are still pondering its affects on you. Very few movies do that to me. The acting and story were both first class, but I attribute the film's overall quality and appeal to the excellent direction on the part of Kris K. I would like to see more of his work, because he definitely has a talent for crafting a story and putting the audience in the mood he wants them to be.

Excellent movie!

Excellent for an Indie Film

[jazzmardi · 10/10 · 13 January 2010]

I just watched "Inheritance" this evening and really enjoyed it. I was surprised at the beginning due to their being no lens filter (it felt strange) but oddly enough, I started to enjoy the stark look - it was quite out there and actually made the film scarier.

If you decide to see this film, it would be unfair to judge it against big production (budget) movies. This is an independent film and I think it does a great job for what it is. The acting is not at all bad and I do think some of the reviews here are unfair. Marjorie Nelson's character was positively creepy and Jen Taylor was believable and likable.

If you want something fresh, different and definitely scary, then you can't go wrong with this film.

Very Well Done Movie

[darkorion98 · 8/10 · 30 July 2005]

I thought Inheritance was a very cool movie. I have always loved these kind of movies. Inheritance is one of them movies that will make you sit there and watch right to the end because of the interest it gives off. Although this is a low budget movie I thought they did very well with what they had to work with.A lot of these big budget films are just in it for the fancy graphics and the special effects and most are done with computers now anyways but with this movie you can see it was done with the viewer in mind. I highly recommend this movie if you would like to see a movie from start to finish without getting bored.

There is nothing I like more then a movie where a person dies off and leaves the house to someone and when they go to the house freaky stuff begins to happen.