TIFF review: Ancestors blends ghostly atmosphere with a moving AIDS-era tale

David Turpin's debut Ancestors arrives at TIFF as a moody, non-linear ghost story set in 1988 London about the AIDS crisis, anchored by Éanna Hardwicke's intense performance as Beau and a tender bond with Tiny. The film evokes memory, legacy and intergenerational care, weaving past and present with a séance-like atmosphere. While its atmosphere and emotional core are powerful, the ambitious structure can feel meandering and some elements misfire, though the final scene remains haunting and memorable.