03/20/2025
🎥Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary (2018), directed by Ari Aster in his feature film debut, is a psychological horror film that masterfully blends family drama with supernatural terror. The film is known for its unsettling atmosphere, disturbing imagery, and slow-burn tension that builds to a horrifying climax.
The story revolves around the Graham family, led by Annie Graham (played by Toni Collette), an artist who specializes in miniature models, and her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne). The family is grieving the recent death of Annie's mother, Ellen, whose mysterious past and strained relationship with her daughter are soon revealed to have deep, unsettling roots. After the funeral, strange events begin to unfold, revealing dark secrets about Annie's family history.
Annie’s teenage son, Peter (Alex Wolff), and her young daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro), also begin to experience disturbing occurrences. Charlie, who is peculiar and has a strange affinity for odd objects and sounds, becomes a pivotal character as the film delves into her connection to the supernatural events. As the family members struggle to cope with their grief, they soon find themselves caught in a terrifying web of occult rituals, possession, and a malevolent force that seems to haunt their bloodline.
The film’s tension escalates as Annie becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her family’s tragic history, which seems to be linked to dark occult practices. Her journey of discovery leads to horrifying realizations about her own role in the family’s fate. Meanwhile, Peter is drawn into a nightmarish situation that feels increasingly out of his control, as both supernatural and psychological horrors begin to take hold of the family.
Toni Collette’s performance as Annie is widely praised for its intensity, as she portrays a mother struggling with grief, guilt, and terror. Her emotional range, particularly in scenes where she unravels emotionally and psychologically, stands out as one of the most compelling aspects of the film. The performances of Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro are also notable, with Wolff in particular navigating a complex role of a young man caught in a nightmare that he doesn't fully understand.
Hereditary explores themes of grief, trauma, family dynamics, and the inevitability of fate. It examines how inherited trauma and emotional wounds can be passed down through generations, and the idea that some family legacies may be cursed or inescapable. The supernatural elements, while present, often serve as metaphors for the psychological horror the family experiences as they grapple with the dark truths of their past.
The film’s haunting imagery, including unsettling visuals and an eerie soundtrack, contributes significantly to its atmosphere of dread. Aster's direction is meticulous and deliberate, allowing the horror to unfold slowly, drawing the audience into a disturbing web of tension before unleashing shocking and grotesque moments of terror. The film's final act is a gut-wrenching, horrifying sequence that leaves viewers stunned and unsettled, offering one of the most chilling conclusions in recent horror cinema.
Hereditary was widely acclaimed for its originality, emotional depth, and its ability to redefine what a horror film can be. It is often regarded as one of the best horror films of the 21st century, praised for its ability to unsettle and disturb on a psychological and emotional level, not just through scares but through its profound exploration of grief, family, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface.
