Inheritance

DANCES WITH FILMS 2024 REVIEW! When losing a parent, sometimes we inherit more than just cash and assets. The details can be less of a blessing and more of a curse. In Emily Moss Wilson’s feature film Inheritance, a young soon-to-be mother inherits more than she bargained for.

Lucy (Rachel Noll James) and Luke (Wes Brown) are taking the next step in their marriage with the imminent arrival of their first child…with a few months to go. While at a party with friends and family, Lucy’s father, Doug (Chris Mulkey), has a heart attack and passes away, leaving her with one less moral compass to guide her since her mother passed tragically a decade ago.

Missing in the picture is Lucy’s estranged sister, Paige (Austin Highsmith Garces), who left abruptly after her mother’s death. This is important as Lucy learns of her father’s wishes as laid out in his will. Lucy gets her father’s house, which has been devalued over the years, while Paige gets all of the cash and proceeds from his life insurance policy, which has increased in value over time.

Making matters worse, because Paige has substance abuse problems, Lucy is assigned executor of the estate and has sole authority over how and when the money is given to Paige. Doug even specified in the will that Paige receiving the inheritance is conditional on her attending rehab. Immediately, Lucy feels screwed in so many ways by the situation.

During Doug’s funeral, Paige returns home hoping to get her inheritance to pay off her debts and get out of some severe trouble she got herself into. Lucy is now caught between having to choose between immediately getting rid of her problems or following her father’s wishes.

“…a young soon-to-be mother inherits more than she bargained for.”

Written by lead actor Rachel Noll James, Inheritance is one of those family dramas that lured me in from the start, but I couldn’t get away from it at the end. Having seen a lot of movies about estranged siblings, I was glad to see that Inheritance succeeds in finding a fresh take on a very familiar storyline.

First, the deck is stacked against Lucy with her pregnancy, the loss of both parents, and the whole Paige situation. Rachel Noll James brings a great deal of authenticity to a woman who contains all her stress and is looking for a place to vent. Her husband Luke is as much of a hindrance as he is a help, given that he once had a deep friendship in the past with Paige.

You can feel the weight of the central conflict in the film, as Paige struggles to claim her inheritance while Lucy finds herself in the position of having to be a parent to Paige instead of just being her sister. What stands out in Inheritance is how deeply complex this conflict becomes, especially when Lucy discovers the true nature of Luke and Paige’s relationship from long ago. It’s heartbreaking to see how Paige’s problems become Lucy’s as well.

Inheritance is an authentic indie drama that tackles the messy realities of family, betrayal, and redemption. With standout performances from Rachel Noll James and Austin Highsmith Garces, the film hits hard emotionally and feels incredibly real. It explores how true inheritance often comes with unresolved issues, not just money. This movie is an excellent example of how indie films can tell powerful, heartfelt stories.

Inheritance premiered at the 2024 Dances With Films.