Director Banjong Pisanthanakun confirmed to Variety that a sequel to his psychological horror film Inherit is officially in development, with star Davika Hoorne returning to reprise her role as the centipede-harboring grandmother Woranart.
The Core Takeaways of the Inherit Sequel Announcement
- Director Banjong Pisanthanakun confirmed the psychological horror film Inherit is receiving a sequel, with star Davika Hoorne officially attached to return.
- The original film recently celebrated its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival as a Centrepiece selection and is slated to close the Jakarta World Cinema festival.
- Pisanthanakun plans for the Thai release to help draw local audiences back into cinema seats despite industry funding challenges.
From Toronto Festival Screenings to a Confirmed Sequel Greenlight
The announcement arrives just as the original feature prepares to close the Jakarta World Cinema festival. Inherit first grabbed international attention during its world premiere in September as a Centrepiece selection at the Toronto International Film Festival. Pisanthanakun revealed the sequel plans exclusively, locking in Hoorne to continue anchoring the atmospheric horror narrative.
No further narrative specifics accompanied the initial announcement, keeping anticipation high for how the ancient centipede spirit mythos will expand.
Shaping the Modern Horror Icon on Set
Pisanthanakun noted that Hoorne was his absolute first choice for the youthful-looking grandmother who conceals a dark, centuries-old secret from her wealthy family.
Pisanthanakun envisioned an immortal figure who reads as a modern fashion icon, casually chatting with ChatGPT while sunbathing by the pool in a bikini. To nail the complex duality of the role, the director instructed Hoorne to draw inspiration from iconic cinematic antagonists, specifically pointing toward Sharon Stone’s Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct and Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.
Davika Hoorne Returning for 'Inherit' Sequel, Director Banjong Pisanthanakun Confirms (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/1i8pdQqPQ1
| Project Milestone / Event | Timeline / Date | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto International Film Festival | September 2026 | World premiere of Inherit as a Centrepiece selection. |
| Jakarta World Cinema Festival | November 2026 | The psychological horror film serves as the festival’s closing feature. |
| Thailand Theatrical Release | November 19, 2026 | Opens across local cinemas with box office pressure to revive domestic attendance. |
| Future Television Focus | 2027 | Davika Hoorne shifts primary focus to upcoming TV series and production work. |
Coping with Pressures in the Thai Film Industry
The director pointed out that the current state of the Thai film industry creates immense pressure to lure local moviegoers back to physical theaters. Public funding remains inconsistent, often favoring horror exclusively while leaving other genres fighting for financial traction.
Hoorne echoed these sentiment regarding the hurdles of independent funding, particularly as she expands her own creative footprint into producing girls’ love romance titles and directing short films like Soap Opera.
Choosing to live with a character for an entire year of production means every cinematic venture demands deep artistic commitment.
