Ancestors Review: A Mesmerizing Ghostly Drama of the Aids Crisis 2026

In the new film Ancestors, director David Turpin attempts to connect with the generation of gay men who lived through the worst years of the Aids crisis. Set in a foggy, ghostly London in 1988, the movie is a dreamy and mysterious drama that works incredibly well at times but wears off far too easily at others. It’s a messy but moving debut that showcases a mesmerizing performance from Éanna Hardwicke.

Ancestors Review: A Ghostly Séance of Memory and Loss

Turpin, born in 1982, doesn’t have first-hand experience of the Aids crisis, but he bears the scars passed down through generations. His film is about building bridges between past and future, living and dead, old and young, and how those pushed out of society work to create and sustain their own. In interviews, Turpin has referred to the film as a “séance,” and that’s an apt description for its dreamlike quality.

The story follows a young gay man in 1988 London who becomes entangled with the ghosts of those who died before him. It’s a haunting exploration of legacy, mortality, and the connections that transcend death. While the film’s ambition is admirable, it often throws too much at the wall, prioritizing scrappy creativity over laser focus.

What Works and What Doesn’t

What’s most consistent is Éanna Hardwicke’s mesmerizing performance. He carries the film with a quiet intensity that draws you in. The atmospheric cinematography and sound design also stand out, creating a palpable sense of dread and longing. However, the narrative can feel disjointed, with some scenes dragging and others rushing to make their point.

As with many first features, there’s a lot of ideas here, but not all of them coalesce. The film’s emotional core is strong, but its execution is uneven. Still, for those interested in queer history and ghost stories, Ancestors offers a unique and often moving experience.

Ancestors vs. Other Aids Crisis Films

How does Ancestors compare to other films about the Aids crisis? Here’s a quick comparison:

Key Takeaways from Ancestors

• Éanna Hardwicke delivers a standout performance that anchors the film.
• The atmospheric direction creates a haunting, dreamlike London.
• The narrative struggles with focus, but the emotional core resonates.
• It’s a poignant reflection on legacy and intergenerational trauma.
• Fans of ghost stories and queer history will find much to appreciate.

FAQ

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of terpenes energy, tea replace alcohol, tattoo removal technology, supplements take tirzepatide, and sun lamp tanning. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of trunk sleepaway camp, wristbands gymnastics, wrist wrap ganglion cyst, on cloud shoe flat feet, and shoes capsulitis second toe. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.