Inheritance Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Inheritance (2020) reveals a twisted family secret: Lauren Monroe, a district attorney, discovers her wealthy father kept a man, Morgan Warner, imprisoned in a bunker beneath their estate for 30 years. Morgan claims to be Lauren's half-brother and the rightful heir to the family fortune. The film culminates in a violent confrontation where Lauren, after learning Morgan murdered her father, ultimately kills him to protect her family. The final scene shows Lauren burying Morgan's body, symbolically inheriting her father's legacy of secrets and corruption. The movie leaves audiences questioning morality, justice, and the cyclical nature of familial betrayal.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Inheritance revolves around Lauren Monroe's (Lily Collins) shocking discovery that her father, Archer Monroe, kept Morgan Warner (Simon Pegg) locked in an underground bunker for decades. Initially, Lauren believes Morgan is a dangerous criminal, but he reveals he is Archer's illegitimate son and was imprisoned to prevent him from claiming his inheritance. As Lauren investigates further, she uncovers her father's dark past, including embezzlement and murder, which Morgan claims justified his own actions. The tension escalates when Morgan escapes the bunker and holds Lauren's family hostage, forcing her to confront the truth about her father's crimes and her own complicity in covering them up.
In the final act, Lauren learns that Morgan murdered her father in retaliation for his imprisonment. This revelation shifts the dynamic - Morgan is no longer a victim but a vengeful killer. The film's moral ambiguity peaks as Lauren must choose between justice for Morgan's suffering or protecting her family. In a brutal showdown, Lauren kills Morgan, mirroring her father's violent tendencies. The last scene shows her burying Morgan's body in the bunker, completing the cycle of secrecy and corruption. This ending suggests Lauren has become her father's true heir, not just financially but morally, as she now carries the burden of his sins.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Why did Archer keep Morgan alive instead of killing him?
- Archer may have felt guilt over imprisoning his son and couldn't bring himself to kill him.
- He might have feared evidence of his crimes being exposed if Morgan died.
- Did Morgan deserve his fate, or was he a victim?
- Morgan was a victim of abuse but became a monster through his own actions (killing Archer).
- His fate reflects the film's theme: violence begets violence.
- Will Lauren's family ever learn the truth?
- Unlikely, as Lauren's actions suggest she'll continue the cycle of secrecy.
- The film implies the truth would destroy the family's reputation.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Inheritance delivers a gripping, albeit predictable, thriller with a strong performance from Simon Pegg as the unhinged Morgan. The ending is bleak but fitting - Lauren's transformation into her father's successor is a powerful commentary on how corruption and violence can taint future generations. However, the film's pacing and logic falter at times, particularly in Morgan's sudden shift from sympathetic to outright villainous. The bunker metaphor is heavy-handed but effective, symbolizing the family's buried secrets. While not groundbreaking, Inheritance succeeds as a dark, morally complex drama about legacy and guilt.
Final Thoughts
The film's strength lies in its exploration of inherited sin and the lengths people go to protect their power. Lauren's final act of burying Morgan's body is a haunting visual of her accepting her father's legacy. The unresolved tension-whether Lauren will break the cycle or perpetuate it-leaves a lasting impact. Inheritance may not redefine the thriller genre, but its psychological depth and chilling conclusion make it a memorable watch.
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