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Greetings again from the darkness. I'll admit that during the pandemic, I haven't been as selective on the movies I choose to watch as during "normal" times. Heck, I have more available time and I enjoy watching movies, so why not relax the standards a bit? This approach has worked out just fine. Until now. This is the first one to bite me and have me questioning why I agreed to watch and review it.

For most of those involved, it's their first foray into a feature film, or at least their first in a primary role. Director James Kapner's resume is filled with music video shorts, and writer Chris Baker has previously only written for his own video shorts. This is also Mr. Baker's first starring role in a feature film. He plays George, a spoiled, young gay man willing to go to any lengths to ensure his life of luxury. Eliza Coupe ("Happy Endings") co-stars as Lux, George's stepmother, who is equally spoiled and also willing go to any lengths to ensure her own life of luxury.

The film begins with a title card stating, "This is a true fable". It might best be described as a parody of the elite rich and their self-centeredness. George's father and Lux's husband is the target of their animosity. Played by Eric Roberts, Marcello has little energy for either son or wife, though he allows them to live in one of his many mansions. As a movie lover of many years, I have my own 'Eric Roberts Rule'. It states that there is a 98% chance that any movie featuring Mr. Roberts will be overboard cheesy, and likely to generate multiple eye-rolls. Eric Roberts is the best thing about this movie. You should know that the Eric Roberts rule only kicked in about 30 years ago (prior to that he was legit), and he currently has more than 60 new projects in various stages of production. The man is nothing, if not prolific.

Things get twisted pretty quickly as Joe (Greg Finley) teams up with Lux and George in a plot to kill Marcello, and reap the rewards of his estate. There are also a couple of quick scenes featuring the always quirky Heather Matarazzo as Mary, the office clerk at Marcello's Attorney's office. More of Ms. Matarazzo would certainly have helped. Instead, Joe and George dominate the screen, as Lux is pushed from center stage. A TV interview with George is used as a framing device, which is unfortunate, as it destroys any hope of mystery throughout.

As a parody of rich, white privilege, it's somehow lacking in outlandish moments - which seems incredulous to even write, given the premise. The humor is sparse, but a couple of lines really connect. As Joe is discussing his background, he states "Assassin is too political. I'm a hitman." Lux, with all sincerity states, "We are white and rich. We can kill one guy." It's this type of commentary and dark humor that the film needed more of. Still, we can't miss the obvious ... families can go sideways and life goals can go wrong. But if we are going to enjoy watching, it requires more than the Eric Roberts Rule.

Imagine if Lifetime tried to make a comedic thriller... This is what that movie would be. Low budget, the writing seems a little off, nothing is quite natural... but for some reason, you sort of like it?

Let's start with the good. Some of this is funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. It seems to waver between over the top, ridiculous satire and legitimate humor thriller. It works a lot better when it sticks to the former. The funny moments are when the movie doesn't take itself seriously.

Now, the bad- everything else. It's objectively not good. It would've been better if it just committed to being a parody. Personally I wouldn't waste your time with it, but there are some fun moments.

But no more than that. It like reviewer ferguson said, a charade, that easily couldve made a million on a broadway scene, but they took it to the movies, with partial success. Its a harrasment of the rich old men divorcing and marrying young lassies, about infidelity, about step moms and sons, and secret children of dead mistresses, and last but not least the typical fashion of rich young gay men.

Its made in a lifetime style, where every opportunity to get rich is made,and everything is twinkling and shining like a colgate smile so when the sleazy, bored wife and stepson joins force and hires a hitgay to murder the old rich womanizer, things go balluba.

Its a small cast, average production, shallow but witty story and plot, if spanish or french it wouldve been even broader and sharper than this, but its a try, and a small recommend from the grumpy old man.

Just absolute trash. Lala Kent in her 1 minute was the highlight of the whole mess. Nothing funny here, not even dark humor. Just some creepy fantasy in a disturbed mind.

What can I say... I was pretty high but I really liked this movie. The twists were entertainingly shocking and the characters were gripping; especially Eliza Coupe's portrayal which was devilishly hilarious. It kind of reminded me of a modern version of Weekend At Bernie's now that I think about it... over the top antics with a dark underbelly.

Feel the potential if it put into a series instead of movie. Or you can say a desperate housewives kind turn into a short movie. Enjoy it overall speaking.

Bored and boring people want the money from their father and husband (son and step-mother). They are vapid narcissistic wastes of Hollywood nothings. So thus begins their plotting to obtain their inheritance.

Shenanigans that are supposed to be "funny" in a black comedy way but they aren't. Plotting has obvious twists that don't fall far from the standard tropes and ideas for this type of film.

There is some diversity as a character is gay and another bisexual, and this is presented matter of fact. So that is refreshing. Eliza Coup performs to her high standards. And Greg Finley does well in his role as The Stud. Wish there had been more for them to do.

Unfortunately, everyone is rather unpleasant leaving me without any care for the outcome of the characters or of the movie. The ending is boring when it tries to be creative. And then is just gets worse. Feh.

It's not a bad movie. Of course, it's not a blockbuster but it's still entertaining and definitelly worth watching. Pretty funny, I enjoyed it enough to recommend it.

This glitzy yet dark comedy never lets up. The main characters are completely depraved, but somehow likable. The performances are great and the film looks beautiful! Worthy of you time!

The combination of satirical dialogue, romance and murder make this a really entertaining film about the horrors of the 1% with a twist you won't see coming.

For as thrilling as this premise is--a son and stepmom plot to kill their rich father/husband-I found myself laughing throughout this campy, fun film that is unapologetically queer. The over-the-top characters from the gay son with daddy issues to the seemingly stupid trophy wife turned calculated murderess turn basic stereotypes on their head in a way that felt really refreshing. I also thought the film's social commentary on victim narratives is ahead of its time. The tone reminded me of a lot of Jennifer's Body. When I heard "We're white and we're rich, we can kill one guy," it reminded me of the iconic line, "You're killing people! No, I'm killing boys!" There's not a lot of movies with this specific kind of dark humor so I really appreciated that.

Also worth mentioning how great the cast was! Chris Baker was phenomenal, Eliza Coupe was hilarious, and the Lala Kent cameo was superb!

If dark comedy is your thing, then The Estate is a must-see movie! It does not disappoint, it's got a little bit of everything, suspense, cringe, laughs, romance, and murder. It'll keep you laughing and on your toes, not for the faint of heart. I thought it was thoroughly enjoyable and would highly recommend it.

Emphasis on the fun. This movie is one of a kind. It teases out thrills from several different perspectives (murder, psycho-sexual, mystery, drama). All of those experiences get tied together from this sense of fun and humor that ties it all together.

The entire time you feel like you are in on the fun and in on the joke but without breaking the 4th wall. The self deprecating humor comes from an original and authentic voice that brings a sense of humanity and humility to the vapid.

Within the humor comes a satire that is a net positive experience for our culture. After leaving this film, you feel light-hearted and happy and more connected across socio economic classes, giggling all the while that it was a goofy medium the solidly delivered.

Caught it this weekend in the theater - I thought it was twisted and hilarious, so right up my alley... part Pink Flamingos, part Glamorama, part Parasite. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

Check your morals and ethics at the opening credits. You'll find yourself secretly rooting for the protagonist, George, played by Chris Baker.

As an older millennial, I came of age during Wild Things and Cruel Intentions -- a time before "campy" was part of the vernacular. These movies in particular provided a glimpse into a fast paced, elite lifestyle with characters absent of any real sense ethical backbone or grounded parental structure - a far stretch from my own upbringing. (Fairly certain I viewed both of these movies at a large cinema complex with a pre-show meal at Applebee's, and was picked up promptly after the movie ended by my mom in her Volvo station wagon!) In short, I've always had a penchant for these types of movies.

Fast forward 20 years, "The Estate" and anything loosely in this genre still catches and keeps my attention. "The Estate" is darker, funnier and more complex version. Isolation and abandonment can do strange things as George (spoiled son) and Lux (his latest step-mom) develop a warp sense of entitlement as their hit list unfolds. A good looking cast, quick-witted banter, and no shortage of plot twists keep this dark comedy engaging.

The set, primarily shot in a LA mansion falling into disrepair, and overall cinematography are timeless, in one sense, and make it somewhat hard to discern whether present day or any time in the past two decades. It's a movie that I could potentially see being adapted to a stage - a testament to the strength of the script and individual performances.

Overall highly recommend.

Hilarious, sexy, camp - so glad I saw this dark comedy on the big screen!

Love triangles, murderous romps, and a twisted plot had me LOLing throughout.

Randomly saw this movie and I have to say, I haven't had a better time at the theater in awhile. First off, the comedy is great. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud but boy this movie pushed some limits and had me howling quite a few times. Remember when movies were just fun and entertaining to watch without a big lecture on a higher purpose. Well this movie was exactly that's. The Estate was short and sweet and just plain fun. Watch it if you are in for some good laughs and some tense action with a big twist!

What a great film...modern day Wild Things w a fresh cast. Can't wait to watch it again to see when I should have caught the twists the first time around!

People, it's a dark comedy. It's supposed to be silly. The acting is superb and the story holds your attention. The characters are interesting. Highly recommended.

I saw this film at the Newport Beach Film Festival. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations, but I was BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER!

Think WILD THINGS meets CRUEL INTENTIONS. Super funny, tongue-in-cheek, and gorgeously shot. It's a really good time!

Saw it at a screening and loved Chris baker in particular is electric.

The movie's a razor sharp deconstruction of greed, ambition and entitlement. And on top of being full of ideas, it's a fast-paced, highly watchable film. Loved it.

I got a chance to see this film at a screening and absolutely loved it. It hits a dark comedy tone perfectly (not easy to do) and performances are excellent. Can't wait to see this again when it's released! Highly recommend.