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Movie of the Day: A Herança (2024) by João Cândido Zacharias

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Apr 23
  • 7 min read

"A Herança (2024)" by João Cândido Zacharias: A Brazilian Queer Horror Exploring Family Secrets

"A Herança" (The Inheritance), directed by João Cândido Zacharias, is a 2024 Brazilian horror film that blends elements of family drama and LGBTQ+ themes within a suspenseful narrative. The movie delves into the unsettling secrets that lie hidden within a seemingly idyllic inherited property, confronting a young man and his boyfriend with a dark legacy.

Detailed Summary

The film follows Thomas (Diego Montez), who, after the death of his mother, returns to Brazil with his boyfriend, Beni (Yohan Levy). Thomas receives unexpected news: he has inherited a secluded country house from a grandmother he never knew. Driven by a desire to connect with his unknown family history, Thomas decides to visit the property, accompanied by Beni. Upon their arrival, they are met by two elderly aunts (portrayed by Analú Prestes and Cristina Pereira, among others) who welcome Thomas warmly, treating him as a long-lost family member. However, as they spend more time in the seemingly peaceful rural setting, Beni begins to sense a growing unease and suspects that the aunts and the house itself are hiding dark and potentially dangerous secrets. The inheritance becomes a catalyst for uncovering a disturbing family history and confronting a legacy that extends beyond just property, forcing Thomas and Beni to navigate a terrifying situation where appearances are deceiving and trust is fragile. The film explores themes of hidden truths, the weight of the past, and the outsider's perspective uncovering unsettling realities.

Plot Summary

Following his mother's death, Thomas returns to Brazil with his boyfriend and inherits a country house from an unknown grandmother. Visiting the house and meeting his elderly aunts, Thomas is initially welcomed, but his boyfriend senses a sinister secret lurking within the family and the property.

Director's Vision

João Cândido Zacharias' vision for "A Herança" reportedly centers on crafting a Brazilian horror film that incorporates queer themes and characters, a relatively rare occurrence in the national cinema landscape. While detailed statements about his artistic intent for this specific film are not widely available, the film's premise suggests an interest in exploring how hidden family histories and secrets can manifest in terrifying ways, impacting subsequent generations. By placing a gay couple at the center of the mystery, the film may also aim to explore themes of otherness and the challenges faced by outsiders uncovering uncomfortable truths within a seemingly traditional or insular environment.

Themes

  • Hidden Family Secrets: The central theme revolves around the uncovering of dark and buried secrets within a family's past.

  • The Weight of Inheritance: The film explores how a physical inheritance can come with a burdensome and terrifying legacy.

  • Outsider Perspective: The character of Beni, as someone new to the family and its history, serves as an outsider whose suspicions drive the uncovering of the truth.

  • LGBTQ+ Representation in Horror: The film features a gay couple in the leading roles, contributing to LGBTQ+ visibility within the horror genre.

  • The Deceptive Nature of Appearances: The seemingly welcoming facade of the aunts and the peaceful setting of the country house hide a sinister reality.

  • Trust and Suspicion: The dynamic between Thomas, initially accepting of his newfound family, and Beni, who is suspicious, creates narrative tension.

Key Success Factors

Based on available information, key success factors for "A Herança" include:

  • Unique Positioning as Brazilian Queer Horror: The film's specific genre combination helps it stand out in the Brazilian film market and potentially attract both horror and LGBTQ+ audiences.

  • Film Festival Showcasing: Screenings at various national and international film festivals specializing in horror and LGBTQ+ cinema have provided valuable exposure and critical attention.

  • Involvement of Notable Production Companies: The participation of companies like Sony Pictures International Productions suggests a level of production quality and potential for wider reach.

  • Intriguing Premise: The concept of inheriting a house with hidden family secrets and a potentially dangerous legacy is a compelling hook for a horror film.

Summary Short

"A Herança (2024)" is a Brazilian queer horror film by João Cândido Zacharias about Thomas, who inherits a country house from an unknown grandmother and, with his boyfriend Beni, uncovers dark and dangerous family secrets hidden within the property and his seemingly welcoming aunts.

Awards and Nominations

Specific details about awards and nominations for "A Herança (2024)" beyond its film festival selections are not widely available in the public domain. The film was an official selection at several festivals in 2024, including the Macabro – Festival Internacional de Cinema de Terror (Mexico), Queer Monterrey (Mexico), MOTELX - Lisbon International Horror Film Festival (Portugal), Montevideo Fantástico (Uruguay), Festival do Rio (Brazil), Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo (Brazil), and Festival MixBrasil (Brazil). Festival selections are a form of recognition within the film community.

Critics Reception

Critical reception for "A Herança (2024)" in Brazil, based on the limited available reviews, appears to be mixed.

  • AdoroCinema: Based on a few critic reviews, the film holds an average rating of 2.4/5. User reviews on the platform are also varied.

  • Revista Híbrida: Referred to the film as a "Rara Aposta Do Cinema Brasileiro No Terror" (A Rare Bet for Brazilian Cinema in Horror), suggesting it's a noteworthy attempt within the genre, particularly for its queer representation.

  • Meio Amargo: Published a review of the film, indicating it has received critical attention, though the specifics of their review are not detailed in the search snippets.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: While some see "A Herança" as a significant and welcome addition to Brazilian horror, particularly for its LGBTQ+ themes, the limited available critic reviews suggest a divided reception. Some may appreciate its genre elements and representation, while others might find aspects of the film less successful based on the average rating.

Reviews

Reviews for "A Herança," primarily from Brazilian sources, indicate that the film has sparked discussion around its place within the national horror landscape and its inclusion of queer characters. The limited critical scores suggest that opinions on the film's overall effectiveness as a horror film may vary. Audiences and critics interested in Brazilian genre cinema and LGBTQ+ representation within horror are the most likely to engage with and discuss the film's merits.

Production

"A Herança (2024)" is a Brazilian production involving multiple companies. The film was directed by João Cândido Zacharias and the screenplay was co-written by Zacharias and Fernando Toste. Production companies involved include Sony Pictures International Productions, Kromaki Filmes, and Bubbles Project. Rodrigo Letier and Sabrina Garcia are also credited as co-producers. The film features a cast including Diego Montez, Yohan Levy, Analú Prestes, and Cristina Pereira.

Production Companies

  • Sony Pictures International Productions: (Country: United States - Involved in production, with international reach)

  • Kromaki Filmes: (Country: Brazil) - Production company.

  • Bubbles Project: (Country: Brazil) - Production company.

Distribution Companies

  • Sony Pictures: (Country: Brazil) - Distributed the film theatrically in Brazil.

Theatrical Release

"A Herança (2024)" had its global premiere at the Macabro – Festival Internacional de Cinema de Terror in Mexico on August 23, 2024. It subsequently screened at several other international and Brazilian film festivals in late 2024. The film had its theatrical release in Brazil on November 21, 2024, distributed by Sony Pictures.

Why to Recommend This Movie

  • Pioneering Brazilian Queer Horror: The film is a notable example of the horror genre in Brazil featuring LGBTQ+ lead characters.

  • Intriguing Mystery and Suspense: The premise of uncovering dark family secrets in a secluded house offers a compelling hook for horror fans.

  • Showcases Brazilian Independent Cinema: Watching the film supports independent filmmaking and genre exploration in Brazil.

Why to Watch Movie

  • Experience LGBTQ+ Representation in Horror: If you are interested in seeing more diverse representation within the horror genre, this film provides that.

  • For Fans of Atmospheric and Secretive Narratives: The film's focus on hidden family secrets and a potentially sinister inheritance creates a sense of suspense and intrigue.

  • Discover Contemporary Brazilian Genre Film: The movie offers a look into the types of genre films being made in Brazil today.

What Movie Trend film is following

The film aligns with the growing trend of LGBTQ+ representation within genre cinema, specifically horror, contributing to more diverse storytelling in the genre. It also follows the trend of regional genre filmmaking, showcasing horror narratives rooted in a specific cultural and geographical context (Brazil).

What Big Social Trend is following

The movie taps into the social trend of increasing visibility and discussion around LGBTQ+ identities and experiences in various forms of media. It also implicitly engages with themes related to family history, inherited trauma, and the uncovering of uncomfortable truths that resonate in contemporary societal conversations.

Final Verdict

"A Herança (2024)" by João Cândido Zacharias is a significant film within the context of Brazilian cinema, particularly for its embrace of queer themes within the horror genre. While critical reception appears mixed, its unique positioning and willingness to explore darker aspects of family and inheritance through an LGBTQ+ lens make it a noteworthy effort. The film's strength lies in its intriguing premise and its contribution to diversifying representation in horror. For viewers interested in supporting Brazilian independent cinema, exploring queer narratives in genre, and uncovering suspenseful family secrets, "A Herança" offers a potentially compelling, albeit perhaps uneven, viewing experience.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

  • Continue to Explore Diverse Genre Combinations: Blending genres and incorporating underrepresented perspectives can lead to fresh and interesting cinematic works.

  • Focus on Strong Narrative and Pacing in Horror: Building effective suspense and delivering satisfying scares requires careful attention to storytelling structure and pacing.

  • Leverage Film Festivals for Exposure: Festival selections are crucial for independent and niche films to gain visibility and critical attention.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

  • Support and Promote Diverse Genre Voices: Actively seek out and invest in genre films from underrepresented filmmakers and those featuring diverse characters and themes.

  • Facilitate Distribution for Regional Genre Films: Create pathways for well-received genre films from different countries to reach wider international audiences through various distribution channels.

  • Recognize the Importance of Representation in Genre: Acknowledge the value and impact of films that contribute to increasing the visibility of diverse communities within popular genres like horror.


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