The Inheritance (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending
The Inheritance is a 2021 drama directed by Ephraim Asili, starring Shirley Chisholm, Julian Rozzell Jr. and Chris Jarell. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes. Critics gave it 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Ephraim Asili
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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English
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Inheritance About?
The premise of The Inheritance without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
This powerful debut film follows a group of young, Black artists and activists who come together in a West Philadelphia home. Through their interactions and shared experiences, the film explores themes of identity, community, and the search for purpose, all within the context of their African diasporic heritage. The collective creates a vibrant space for connection and self-discovery, offering a moving portrait of a generation seeking belonging and meaning.
The Inheritance Themes & Keywords
· 8 tags- five word title
- hallmark movie
- detective agency
- detective
- television movie
- colon in title
- singer
- character name in title
The Inheritance Cast & Characters
Shirley Chisholm leads the cast, with Julian Rozzell Jr. as Old Head and Chris Jarell as Rich. Directed by Ephraim Asili; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ephraim Asili
- Shirley Chisholm as themselves
- Julian Rozzell Jr. as Old Head
- Chris Jarell as Rich
- Eric Lockley as Julian
Also Starring in The Inheritance
· 7 more- Nozipho Mclean Gwen
- Aurielle Akerele Janet
- Michael A. Lake Mike
- Nyabel Lual Patricia
- Aniya Picou Stephanie
- Ursula Rucker Themselves
- Timothy Trumpet Jr. Jamel
More from Ephraim Asili
One more film directed by Ephraim Asili: Forged Ways.
The Inheritance Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Inheritance 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Inheritance Echo Score Breakdown
The Inheritance delivers a visually striking and intellectually ambitious exploration of Black identity, balanced by moments of narrative opacity that may challenge some viewers. Critics repeatedly highlight its layered formal design and disciplined visual palette, noting both its radical thematic scope and occasional tensions in pacing and clarity. Mixed feedback on character presentation and plot resolution underscores a film that rewards attentive viewing while demanding interpretative effort. On balance, it stands as a bold debut with significant artistic merit.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, The Inheritance excels through its meticulous visual composition and intentional design choices. Reviewers note handpicked color schemes and disciplined production design that reinforce thematic concerns. Cinematography is frequently described as precise and expressive, highlighting layered imagery. The consistent formal approach delivers a cohesive aesthetic that underpins the film’s intellectual ambitions.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, The Inheritance presents nuanced thematic depth but uneven acting execution. Critical commentary praises the exploration of community dynamics and the film’s emotional ambition, though some observers find performances self-conscious. Sparse dialogue is said to limit emotional resonance at times. Overall, character development generates conceptual interest but occasionally sacrifices warmth and spontaneity.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, The Inheritance demonstrates bold originality and thematic engagement but can feel opaque. Reviewers highlight its experimental structure and purposeful pacing, noting that narrative layers reward close attention. However, some find the plot resolution ambiguous and the sparse dialogue reduces clarity. The balance of innovative form and potential confusion yields a storytelling approach that is intriguing yet demands effort from viewers.
- Sensory Experience 85
When it comes to sensory experience, The Inheritance captivates through its vivid visual style and thoughtful sound design. Critics note a disciplined color palette and handcrafted mise-en-scène that amplify the film’s thematic weight. While commentary on the musical score is limited, the overall audiovisual cohesion reinforces the film’s experimental form. The sensory presentation successfully immerses viewers in its layered exploration of community and identity.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch factor, The Inheritance offers substantial rewards for repeated viewings through its layered formal design and thematic depth. Reviewers emphasize the film’s rich metaphorical content and visual detail, suggesting multiple viewings reveal additional nuances. The deliberate pacing and structural complexity may limit casual replays, but for viewers invested in its ideas, the film retains significant lasting appeal.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 86 Metascore
User score 4.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 50% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
5 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Inheritance Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Inheritance from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 25 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set in the magical land of Alagaësia, the story follows the rise and fall of the Dragon Riders, an order dedicated to peace. This harmony was shattered when a rider named Galbatorix, driven to insanity by the loss of his dragon, betrayed the order. He formed the Thirteen Forsworn, seized the capital of Ilirea, and established a tyrannical empire by stealing the Eldunarí (dragon hearts) to fuel his power.
Full summary
The whole story of The Inheritance, scene by scene, with the ending explained
How Well Do You Know The Inheritance?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the dragon bonded to Eragon?
Cars in The Inheritance
3 cars on screen, including the 1998 Mercedes-Benz S 500 L V140 and the Citroën C3.
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1998 Mercedes-Benz S 500 L V140 Important role -
Citroën C3 Background role -
2018 Dacia Duster Background role
Seen The Inheritance?
Movies Like The Inheritance
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Inheritance, Inheritance and Inheritance.
The Inheritance FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Inheritance, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Inheritance?
The Inheritance runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Inheritance released?
The Inheritance was released on March 12, 2021.
Who directed The Inheritance?
The Inheritance was directed by Ephraim Asili.
More films by Ephraim Asili Who is in the cast of The Inheritance?
The Inheritance stars Shirley Chisholm, Julian Rozzell Jr. as Old Head and Chris Jarell as Rich, among 11 credited actors.
How is The Inheritance rated?
The Inheritance has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 86 on Metacritic, 50% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does The Inheritance have a post-credit scene?
No. The Inheritance has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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