Inherit the Witch (2024) Review
Inherit the Witch (2024) Review
In 1984, a family throws a birthday party for twins Cory and Jessie. 30 years later, what’s left of the family reunites for the father’s funeral, at two isolated houses in the New Forest, England, historically a hotbed of witchcraft. There, horrific truths are slowly uncovered about the family’s occult pact with an ancient evil that has secretly been at the core of their wealth and power, as the remaining siblings uncover the true bloody darkness behind their inheritance.
Written and directed by Cradeaux Alexander, INHERIT THE WITCH, is described in the marketing blurb as ‘a psychological horror movie that features supernatural drama, occult thrills and central gay characters.’ Cradeaux Alexander also acts in the film headlining as Cory, one of the twins. Alexander excels at writing and delivering with his performance the ripe, spiky, barbed dialogue and it is these scenes that sees INHERIT THE WITCH shine the brightest.
French composer François Evans soundtracks INHERIT THE WITCH superbly with retro synth/electronic sounds which not only make for the most welcome film score that I have heard in many years but also enhances the film’s Seventies throwback vibe. Filmed in the expansive, sprawling New Forest, which is just up the road from where I live, INHERIT THE WITCH taps into the area’s association with witchcraft – tourist area Burley is popular for that very reason – and it pays off.
INHERIT THE WITCH is far less successful at maintaining the steady momentum of the film’s first half-hour. If often lacks focus and, in places, it can prove to be unnecessarily talkative and lacking much in the way of thrills or chills to keep the viewer hooked. That said, as far as lower budget British fare goes this is better than most that get a release, but it still does not always hit the heights that it so amiably strives to reach.
François Evans’s soundtrack can be purchased via the link below
www.lamprecordings.com
INHERIT THE WITCH will be available in the US on Digital from 24th September
