The Estate
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The Estate
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Estate is an adult comedy with strong language throughout and sexual and risqué humor. The plot focuses on a group of cousins -- including sisters Savanna (Anna Faris) and Macey (Toni Collette) -- competing for the inheritance of a terminally ill aunt played by Kathleen Turner. Cancer is mentioned and a character has a fit and later dies on-screen. Jokes are made in poor taste about a man with a history of exposing himself, including a young adult being used as "bait" to catch him in the act. The film includes sexual references and exposed male genitals. The language is strong and frequent, and includes words such as "c--t" and "f--k." Alcohol is consumed to the point of inebriation on one occasion and there is a brief shot of a character taking cocaine. A fight includes a gun being fired, though nobody is hurt. The movie relies on inappropriateness and bad behavior for its humor, which may appeal to some, but it is very much aimed at older teens and adults.
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What's the Story?
In THE ESTATE, after hearing their wealthy aunt has a terminal illness, sisters Savanna (Anna Faris) and Macey (Toni Collette) travel to her home hoping to get into her good books -- and her will. But when they discover other family members have had the same idea, a battle commences that will push them to increasingly extreme lengths to get their hands on Aunt Hilda's (Kathleen Turner) riches.
Is It Any Good?
Even the all-star cast struggles to keep the humor alive in this sweary family comedy centered around unlikable characters and bad behavior. A few moments land, but The Estate suffers from a lack of warmth and intelligence beyond jokes that may seem daring to some but low-brow poor taste to others.
At the center of the family battle, Turner is as charismatic and watchable as ever. But Oscar-nominee Collette is let down by a part that lacks complexity or depth. Faris, David Duchovny, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Ron Livingston all show up and do their thing, but that thing quickly becomes tiresome. While the humor may proudly cross lines, it never does so with much originality, leaving the plot to tread heavily toward its inevitable conclusion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the edgy humor in The Estate. Did you find it funny? Did you feel it ever crossed the line? How did it compare to other comedies you've seen? Were there any positive messages in amongst the humor and shock value?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex treated in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How were drinking and drug use portrayed? Were there consequences? Did the movie glamorize it?
The movie's central dynamic is created by an estranged family coming together. Can you think of other films that involve a family forced together under unusual circumstances. How do they compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 4, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: November 22, 2022
- Cast: Anna Faris, Toni Collette, Kathleen Turner
- Director: Dean Craig
- Studio: Signature Entertainment
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: pervasive language, crude/sexual material, graphic nudity and brief drug use
- Last updated: January 9, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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This Is Where I Leave You
Dramedy mines dysfunction for laughs; some sex, language.
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August: Osage County
Affecting but exhausting dysfunctional-family drama.
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The Royal Tenenbaums
Quirky extended-family story with dry adult humor.
For kids who love comedy
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