When a narcissistic son (Chris Baker), yearning for a life of luxury, and his father's erratic gold-digging wife (Eliza Coupe) decide to kill their way into their inheritance, they employ the help of an absurdly handsome, mysterious hitman (Greg Finley), initiating a psychosexual love triangle that spirals into more than anyone bargained for. Deftly balancing sharp humor and horror, The Estate delivers a perfectly campy, wildly enjoyable thrill ride that packs a deadly punch.
The director James Kapner said in a statement:
"This will come as a shock to no one, but we live in a time where the need for truth and transparency is more vital than ever. I first read writer/star Chris Baker's initial draft of The Estate a little over two years ago after crawling into my bed seeking recuperation from a 24 hour Vegas binge with my business partner (and producer on the movie) Adam Makowka. I can't think of a better testament to this project than the simple fact that while I had no serotonin in my body at all, not only did the story hold my attention, it actually had me laughing out loud. No easy feat when your mind is mush and the existential weight from an all nighter is compacting your very being into a pile of prehistoric ooze.
"Though the world (and the story of The Estate itself) has changed a thousand times over since then, that same feeling I had reading the 1st draft is still there when I think about the project. Its bluntness, its frankness about the world and the way it works, about money, about greed, about the desire for individual gain and notoriety are all themes that are as relevant as ever. These elements will always feel timely because they are truths about the world we live in.
In a world where “alternative truths" is part of our lexicon, it is our job as filmmakers, artists, and human beings to determine what we deem truthful and what we deem important.
"For me, as a filmmaker and storyteller, I find myself constantly drawn back to stories that examine violence, sex, unchecked ego, and the darker sides of human nature.
"When tackling weighty themes, one can fall victim to sliding quickly into pretension, myself very much included. Luckily, Chris' script possessed the magical cure for that peskiest of ailments, which is cutting, viscerally honest humor. From day one, I always felt that the comedic element of this story was our way in to creating something meaningful and resonant without being too pedantic."
"In the end, my hope is that the film makes people laugh, it makes people dig their fingernails into their couch in moments, and it makes people see the world a little differently after seeing our current reality reflected through the distorted yet utterly true lens of The Estate."