Inheritance (2020) is a dark mystery thriller starring Lily Collins and Simon Pegg. This review explores its plot, performances, and whether it delivers on suspense. Read the full review now.
Inheritance (2020) – Movie Review | A Suspenseful Thriller on Family, Power, and Hidden Truths
Movie Title: Inheritance
Language: English
Genre: Thriller / Mystery / Drama
Director: Vaughn Stein
Cast: Lily Collins, Simon Pegg, Connie Nielsen, Chace Crawford, Patrick Warburton
Release Date: May 22, 2020
Running Time: 111 minutes
Platform: Available on digital and streaming platforms
Best Movie Review(BMR) Rating: 6.5/10
Introduction
Inheritance (2020), directed by Vaughn Stein, is a slow-burning thriller that delves into the dark underbelly of wealth, politics, and hidden family secrets. With a gripping premise and strong performances by Lily Collins and an unrecognizably transformed Simon Pegg, the film explores what happens when the privileged are forced to face the consequences of long-buried sins. While the setup is intriguing and the tension builds steadily, the payoff doesn’t quite live up to its promise.
Plot Summary
Lauren Monroe (Lily Collins) is a sharp and idealistic district attorney in New York. Her life is turned upside down after the sudden death of her powerful and wealthy father, Archer Monroe (Patrick Warburton), a prominent banker and political figure. While the public mourns the loss of a respectable man, Lauren receives a private inheritance—a mysterious key and a video message from her father revealing a dark family secret.
Following the trail, Lauren uncovers an underground bunker on their estate, where she finds a man named Morgan Warner (Simon Pegg) held captive for 30 years. Morgan claims to know things that could destroy the Monroe family legacy. What follows is a series of interrogations, moral dilemmas, and revelations about the cost of wealth, power, and the twisted lengths some will go to preserve their image.
As Lauren grapples with the truth about her father and the choices she must make, the film slowly unravels a web of deceit, manipulation, and psychological control.
Performances
Lily Collins gives a controlled and earnest performance as Lauren. She captures the emotional conflict of a woman torn between loyalty to her family and her moral code. Her portrayal of suppressed rage, fear, and ethical struggle adds emotional depth to the story.
Simon Pegg is the film’s biggest surprise. Known mostly for comedic roles, Pegg completely transforms himself—physically and tonally—for the role of Morgan. With long white hair, gaunt features, and a chilling calmness, Pegg delivers a performance that is equal parts unsettling and sympathetic. His cryptic storytelling and calculated intensity keep the audience guessing.
Connie Nielsen as Lauren’s emotionally distant mother and Chace Crawford as her entitled brother add to the Monroe family’s facade of respectability and dysfunction. Patrick Warburton’s short but pivotal role as the patriarch Archer Monroe effectively sets the tone for the film’s moral ambiguity.
Direction and Screenplay
Vaughn Stein maintains a consistent atmosphere of suspense and moral unease throughout the film. The screenplay by Matthew Kennedy sets up an excellent mystery in the first act, but the narrative momentum begins to wane in the second half. While the concept is unique and provocative, some of the twists feel predictable or underwhelming.
The dialogue between Lauren and Morgan is the heart of the film—an intellectual chess match that flirts with horror, ethics, and manipulation. However, the script occasionally leans too heavily on exposition and melodrama, especially when delivering the final reveals.
Cinematography and Music
The visual tone of Inheritance matches its dark theme. The use of cold, desaturated colors and low lighting in the bunker scenes adds a claustrophobic and eerie effect. The camera often lingers on characters’ faces during tense exchanges, amplifying the psychological tension.
The score by Marlon Espino complements the mystery, building subtle dread without overwhelming the dialogue-driven scenes. It creates an ominous undercurrent that enhances the film’s moral uncertainty.
Themes and Symbolism
Inheritance explores themes of moral compromise, familial loyalty, justice, and the rot hidden beneath privilege. The bunker becomes a powerful symbol of the secrets the elite bury—both literally and figuratively. Morgan’s character forces Lauren (and the audience) to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity, the price of silence, and how far people will go to maintain control.
The film raises interesting ethical questions: What happens when the people we trust most are the ones hiding monsters in the basement? And what does it mean to inherit not just wealth—but guilt?
Positives
- Strong central performances by Lily Collins and Simon Pegg
- A dark and engaging mystery setup
- Unique premise with psychological depth
- Atmospheric visuals and tone
Negatives
- Predictable twists in the final act
- Pacing slows down mid-way
- Some dialogue is overly expository
- Missed opportunities to fully explore the psychological horror angle
Final Verdict
Inheritance (2020) is an intriguing thriller that starts with a compelling hook and maintains enough suspense to keep viewers engaged. While it doesn’t reach the heights of a classic mystery thriller, it delivers solid performances and moral complexity. It’s a thought-provoking story about buried secrets, corrupted legacies, and the haunting consequences of privilege.
Best Movie Review(BMR) Rating : 6.5/10