A chilling new horror film puts Cobra Kai star Peyton List in the crosshairs of a billionaire patriarch’s deal with the devil. The Inheritance, initially intended for Netflix before getting unceremoniously scrapped, has found new life with distributor Vertical Entertainment releasing it in theaters and on-demand July 12.
The ominous trailer depicts List as part of an extended family summoned to the ominous mansion of aging billionaire Charles Abernathy, played by veteran actor Bob Gunton of The Shawshank Redemption fame. However, this isn’t your typical birthday or inheritance reading – Abernathy has made a dark Faustian pact that’s about to come due, with demonic forces encroaching to collect his soul.
Abernathy propositions his kin to defend him from these supernatural creditors in exchange for inheriting his vast fortune and empire. Unsurprisingly, the family finds themselves trapped inside the estate, quickly realizing whatever evil forces are at play have no intention of letting anyone escape unscathed.
“Unfortunately, cake and presents aren’t on the agenda, because Abernathy is going to die,” one synopsis describes. “He’s not sick, mind you – he’s paid a terrible price to attain his power and wealth, and someone, or something is coming to collect what he owes.”
Joining List and Gunton are Briana Middleton, Rachel Nichols, Austin Stowell, David Walton, Reese Alexander and Chris Wood among the ill-fated guests facing off against Abernathy’s underworld debt collectors.
For List, best known as the feisty martial arts student Tory Nichols on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, The Inheritance continues her emergence in the horror genre. The 24-year-old has already portrayed real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, starred in the supernatural thriller School Spirits, and appeared in Adam Sandler’s holiday horror comedy Hubie Halloween.
The Inheritance hails from director Alejandro Brugués, the Cuban filmmaker behind his country’s first zombie movie Juan of the Dead, as well as segments in anthology films like The ABCs of Death 2 and Nightmare Cinema. He also has credits directing shows like From Dusk Till Dawn and 50 States of Fright.
After initially being targeted for a Netflix release before getting shelved, the streamer’s loss is Vertical Entertainment’s gain for this apparently subversive elevated horror piece. Between its murderers’ row of horrific threats and tongue-in-cheek conceit of damning family togetherness, The Inheritance seems primed to continue the recent resurgence of wickedly entertaining fright-fests in the vein of Ready or Not or You’re Next.
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