Inheritance Movie review by Myflixer

Co-writer and director Neil Burger appears to prioritize the film's visual journey over character development or tonal consistency in "Inheritance." One might contend that this thriller, resembling a travelogue, is equally unconcerned with its narrative, given its straightforward and simplistic approach.

The focus of the film is less on the events themselves—centering on a young woman’s quest to locate a MacGuffin and determine her next steps—and more on the manner in which these events unfold, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Burger and his production team traverse four different countries, following the protagonist as she reconnects with her father and attempts to rescue him after his abduction, seemingly with minimal equipment.

It is unsurprising that the director and cinematographer Jackson Hunt filmed the entire project using a cellphone, as the resulting camerawork is notably shaky, agile, and intimate, reflecting this choice. The film features several engaging scenes, including a chase through the narrow streets and alleys of New Delhi. The filmmaking process also captures spontaneous moments that lend a sense of authenticity, such as when bystanders pause to observe star Phoebe Dynevor in a moment of emotional turmoil. It is likely that some of these unsuspecting extras were unaware that a phone was capturing her performance and may have questioned whether they should be concerned for the visibly distressed woman.

Dynevor's character, Maya, is initially in turmoil due to the recent passing of her mother, who suffered from a prolonged illness during which Maya acted as her caregiver in their New York City apartment. As the character grapples with her grief, Burger opens the film with a sequence of shots that encapsulate much of the narrative: Dynevor, visibly upset, traversing various urban settings before pausing to reflect on her emotions.

This scene shows Maya wandering to a local bar, dancing, picking up a guy for some pointless sex, and then perching on one of the windowsills in the apartment, perhaps leaning too far forward to see if this is the end for her.

 Maya and her older sister Jess (Kersti Bryan) are taken aback when they see their father Sam (Rhys Ifans), who has been away for a long time, during the mother's burial. Maya thinks he might be honest, even if her sister isn't listening to him at all. He's working in real estate on the other side of the world and is trying to make apologies for leaving his family.