Davika Hoorne Returning for ‘Inherit’ Sequel, Director Banjong Pisanthanakun Confirms
Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun confirms a sequel to his psychological horror film Inherit.
1Sequel Development Confirmed
Director Banjong Pisanthanakun has officially confirmed that his psychological horror film Inherit will receive a sequel. Star Davika Hoorne is set to return for the project, continuing their professional collaboration. The original film recently premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and is currently closing the Jakarta World Cinema festival event.
2Creative Team Reunion
Pisanthanakun and Hoorne previously worked together on the 2013 horror-comedy Pee Mak, which remains Thailand's highest-grossing local film of all time. The director specifically chose Hoorne for the role of Woranart, describing her as a fashion icon who perfectly balances beauty, humor, and a modern, adaptable personality for the character.
3Character Inspiration Sources
To prepare for the complex role of the immortal grandmother, Pisanthanakun advised Hoorne to study iconic cinematic figures. Specifically, she looked at Sharon Stone’s performance as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct and Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs to capture the character's sinister, multi-layered nature.
4Evolution of Horror Genre
Pisanthanakun notes that modern horror has shifted away from the concept-driven ghost stories of the past. Influenced by films like Hereditary and It Follows, he now focuses on creating unique, authentic atmospheres. He believes horror remains the most creative genre currently, allowing for refreshing storytelling methods that engage contemporary global audiences.
5Thai Industry Challenges
The director expressed concern regarding the current state of the Thai film industry, citing a lack of consistent public funding. He hopes Inherit, which opens in Thailand on November 19, will successfully draw local audiences back to cinemas. He noted that existing government support is often limited and primarily targets horror projects.
6Hoorne’s Strategic Career Path
Davika Hoorne is highly selective with her film projects, often dedicating a full year to a single role to ensure artistic depth. Beyond acting, she has expanded into producing girls' love titles and recently directed a short film titled Soap Opera. She plans to focus heavily on television series production by 2027.
7International Market Perspectives
Pisanthanakun emphasizes the importance of international perception in his filmmaking process. During his collaboration with Korean director Na Hong-Jin on The Medium, he gained insights into how global audiences interpret Thai horror elements. He aims to maintain solid, unique storytelling while navigating the difficulties of recruiting talent for non-horror genres locally.
8Future Industry Outlook
While Pisanthanakun is currently leading a Thai-Korean horror co-production, both he and Hoorne advocate for better government support for diverse independent themes. They believe that securing international funding and diversifying genres beyond horror is essential for the long-term sustainability and growth of the Thai film industry in the coming years.