Hereditary: A Descent into Familial Dread
Ari Aster’s 2018 film “Hereditary” isn’t your typical horror flick. It eschews jump scares for a slow-burning, unsettling atmosphere that burrows deep under your skin. The film follows the Graham family – Annie (Toni Collette, in a powerhouse performance), her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), their teenage son Peter (Alex Wolff), and their young daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro) – as they grapple with the death of their secretive grandmother.
What starts as a believable portrayal of grief morphs into something sinister. Annie, a miniature artist, channels her emotions into increasingly disturbing creations that foreshadow the horrors to come. The domestic tension thickens as the family crumbles under the weight of their unspoken anxieties.
Aster is a master of building dread. He uses long, lingering shots and sound design that crawls under your nerves. Innocuous moments, like a child’s click of the tongue, become unsettling. The film is beautifully shot, yet the grays and browns of the Grahams’ home create a constant sense of unease.
Collette delivers a career-defining performance. She portrays Annie’s descent into madness with raw vulnerability and terrifying intensity. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Alex Wolff portraying teenage angst beautifully and Milly Shapiro’s unsettling portrayal of Charlie lingering long after the credits roll.
“Hereditary” is not for the faint of heart. There are moments of shocking violence and disturbing imagery, but it’s the film’s exploration of grief, loss, and the hereditary weight of trauma that truly chills. The ending is divisive, but it undeniably leaves a lasting impression.
This isn’t a horror film that relies on cheap thrills. It’s a haunting and thought-provoking exploration of the darkness that can lurk within families. If you’re looking for a horror film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, “Hereditary” is a must-watch. Just be prepared to confront the demons that reside not just in the Grahams’ house, but potentially within your own.