On the night of his birthday, Bo Anderson intercepts a cryptic warning moments before an assassin strikes. Hunted for evidence tethered to his father’s hidden past, Bo plunges into a violent conspiracy he never sought. As the danger surges, panic suffocates him, forcing a confrontation with the generational trauma shrouded in silence. Every step he takes toward the truth echoes a cycle that shattered those before him. Inheritance dissects legacy and anxiety, revealing the lethal price of unearthing buried secrets.

On his 26th birthday, Bo Anderson’s life shatters when a mysterious stranger appears at his party and vanishes, leaving behind a warning, a photograph of Bo’s late father, and the promise that someone is coming for him. That night, Bo is shot at in his own home, forcing him to flee and follow the stranger’s instructions to meet at a remote Airbnb. There, he learns the truth: his father was involved in something dangerous, and a hidden tape recorder contains information powerful enough to get people killed.

As a relentless assassin, John Parkwood, closes in, Bo teams up with Iris, the daughter of his father’s former partner, and races to uncover the recorder before it falls into the wrong hands. Their search leads them back to Bo’s childhood home, where the past and present collide in a deadly confrontation. When Bo finally destroys the tape to keep its secrets from being exploited, he realizes that some legacies can’t be escaped, only survived. Now on the run, Bo and Iris drive into an uncertain future, carrying the weight of truths that may never fully come to light.

Bo Anderson (26), is a guarded, anxious young man trying to live a normal life while unknowingly carrying the weight of his father's past. He's intelligent but emotionally unprepared for violence, reacting first with panic before forcing himself into action. His arc is about inheritance not just of secrets, but of responsibility and moral choice.

Iris Graham (24), is sharp, composed and far more prepared for danger than she initially appears. Raised in the shadow of her father's work, she understands the stakes and carries quiet strength beneath her calm exterior. Iris represents the possibility of breaking cycles, choosing truth and survival over secrecy and fear.

John Parkwood (55), is calculated, predatory and chillingly calm. He presents himself as polite and helpful, masking a ruthless determination to control and erase the truth. John believes power is justified by necessity, viewing human life as expendable compared to what he is after. As the antagonist, he symbolizes systemic corruption and the violent lengths people will go to preserve it.

Randall Graham (57), is a weary man burdened by years of secrets and regret. A former colleague of Bo's father, he understands the true cost of the information they uncovered and knows the danger it carries. He embodies the consequences of past choices and the urgency of redemption.

Inheritance draws inspiration from films that treat violence as something sudden, personal and deeply unsettling rather than a spectacle. It’s no secret that One Battle After Another is a major inspiration for this film. Its high-intensity, deliberately disorienting editing style mirrors the anxiety and instability experienced by the characters, while its focus on cyclical trauma explores how younger generations are forced to confront battles they never chose. That combination of form and theme directly informs how Inheritance tells its story, placing the audience inside the unease rather than simply observing it.

Visually and Tonally, Weapons Informs the film's unsettling atmosphere, using restraint, negative space and a creeping sense of dread that lets the audience sit in the discomfort. Rather than explaining everything, Inheritance trusts the audience feels the full weight of whats unspoken.

Your support on Seed&Spark goes directly into bringing Inheritance to life on screen. Funds raised will primarily support essential camera gear and insurance, allowing us to capture the film with a cinematic look while protecting our crew and equipment. We are committed to paying our cast fairly, ensuring the performers at the heart of this story are supported and respected. A portion of the budget is dedicated to meals and craft services, keeping our team energized and safe during long production days. Additional funds cover props, costumes, and travel needs, helping us build a believable world across multiple locations. Every contribution helps create a safe, collaborative set and allows us to tell this story with intention and integrity. Any amount of money that comes extra from out fundraising goals will go directly to film festivals submission fees.

My name is Bennett Johnson, and I’m a senior at the University of Wisconsin–Stout majoring in Video Production. I’m a filmmaker focused on writing and directing, with experience leading projects from concept through post-production. I’ve written and directed three short films Vessel (2023), Strapped (2024), and Don’t Answer (2025).

The driving force behind my next film, Inheritance, was the desire to build on everything I’ve learned in school while pushing myself into new creative territory. This project challenged me to work with a cast and crew from across the Midwest, shoot across multiple locations, and tell a more ambitious story than I had before. By exploring universal themes like generational trauma, anxiety, and the loss of innocence, Inheritance became a project that deeply resonated with me on both a personal and creative level. It represents a culmination of my growth as a filmmaker, and I hope the story connects with audiences in the same way it's connected with me.

We are incredibly grateful for any contribution to this film, your support is what makes this project possible. Every donation directly helps bring Inheritance to life, and we truly couldn’t do it without you. Contributors who donate $25 or more will receive a credit in the film, with higher-tier incentives available and detailed in the incentives tab. Thank you for believing in this story and supporting independent filmmaking.