The story of The Estate: scheming sisters and a dying aunt
What happens when desperation meets opportunity? That's the central question driving The Estate, a 2022 black comedy that finds two sisters — Macey and Savanna — at rock bottom. Their ramshackle café is barely hanging on, their lives are going nowhere fast, and they're running out of time. So they devise a plan: win over their estranged Aunt Hilda before she passes away, and hopefully secure some of her fortune in the process. It's a premise built on pure self-interest, and that's exactly the point. Director Dean Craig leans into the moral messiness of the scheme, crafting a film that doesn't pretend its characters are sympathetic — they're just desperate enough to try.
Behind the making of The Estate and its cast ensemble
Dean Craig, who wrote and directed The Estate, brought together a cast that could've made this work if the material had landed differently. Toni Collette and Anna Faris carry the film as the scheming sisters, two actresses with proven comedic chops who've navigated both dramatic and lighter fare throughout their careers. Collette's resume includes everything from Hereditary to Muriel's Wedding; Faris has spent years perfecting physical comedy and deadpan delivery. The supporting cast reads like a who's who of recognizable faces: David Duchovny, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kathleen Turner (as Aunt Hilda herself), and Ron Livingston all signed on to flesh out the family dynamics. The film was released on November 4, 2022, through Signature Entertainment, arriving with an R rating. Unfortunately, the box office and critical reception didn't match the pedigree of the ensemble. With a Metascore of 37 out of 100 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 32%, The Estate landed harder on critics' "skip it" pile than anyone involved probably hoped.
What makes The Estate stand out (and what doesn't)
Here's the thing about dark comedies: they live or die on whether the audience is willing to laugh at the characters rather than with them. The Estate tries to thread that needle, but doesn't quite stick the landing. Collette and Faris do solid work — their chemistry as sisters feels genuine, and there are moments where the absurdity of the scheme generates real laughs. The film's willingness to make its protagonists genuinely unlikable is admirable in theory. But somewhere between the script and the screen, the balance tips wrong. What's striking is how the film seems uncertain whether it wants to be a character study of two desperate women or a straightforward inheritance comedy romp. That tonal inconsistency is probably why audiences and critics didn't warm to it. The IMDb rating of 5.3 out of 10 (from over 6,000 votes) suggests viewers found it forgettable rather than offensive — which might be worse. Variety reported that the film struggled to find its footing with test audiences, and that struggle shows in the final cut.
Where to stream The Estate online
If you're curious about The Estate despite the middling reviews, you can currently watch it on Prime Video. Movie OTT tracks where every film is streaming across platforms, and you'll find the full availability widget at the top of this page — so you don't have to hunt around wondering if it's on Netflix or Hulu. Prime Video's catalog has plenty of hidden gems alongside the misses, and this one's at least worth a rental if you're in the mood for something light and you've got ninety-five minutes to spare. The R rating means it's not holding back on language or situations, so it's not a family-friendly pick.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed The Estate?
Dean Craig wrote and directed The Estate. Craig has worked in comedy and drama across film and television, and this 2022 project represents his attempt to blend dark humor with family dysfunction.
Q: Where can I watch The Estate?
The Estate is currently available on Prime Video. Check the streaming availability widget at the top of this page for the most up-to-date information on where it's streaming in your region.
Q: What's the plot of The Estate?
Two sisters, Macey and Savanna, scheme to win over their terminally ill Aunt Hilda in hopes of inheriting some of her fortune. Their café is failing and their lives are stalled, so they devise a plan to get back into her good graces before it's too late.
Q: Is The Estate based on a true story?
No, The Estate is an original screenplay written by director Dean Craig. It's a fictional black comedy, not an adaptation or based-on-true-events film.
Q: Why did The Estate get bad reviews?
Critics found the film's tonal balance off — it wasn't sure whether it wanted to be a character study or a straightforward comedy romp. The Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 32%, and the IMDb rating of 5.3 reflects audience indifference more than outright hostility. Variety noted that the film struggled with test audiences, a sign that the core concept didn't translate as intended.
Final thoughts on The Estate
The Estate isn't a disaster — it's just a misfire. With better pacing or a clearer sense of its own comedic voice, it could've been the kind of mid-budget comedy that finds an audience on streaming. Collette and Faris deserve better material, and the premise had potential. But sometimes even a solid cast and a clever setup can't save a film that doesn't quite know what it wants to be. If you're a completist who needs to see everything Toni Collette touches, go ahead. Otherwise, Movie OTT's library has plenty of stronger options worth your time.
