Ari Aster’s debut “Hereditary” has become an iconic staple of horror. I first watched the film upon its release in 2018. I loved a few things but disliked the majority. The continuous high praise amidst the film community made me want to watch it again.
Did I miss something?
There is quite a bit to praise. The performances of Toni Collette and Alex Wolff are excellent. Gabriel Byrne and Milly Shapiro are very good as well. And the style of Ari Aster – who wrote and directed – is outstanding. “Hereditary” isn’t a horror movie. It’s a horror film.
The story revolves around themes of grief, death, and depression. It opens with a funeral. There’s a weird kid with even weirder drawings. The viewer can tell that something isn’t right. And that something scary is just around the corner.
Toni Collette plays Annie, the matriarch of the Graham family. Collette delivers one of the best performances you’ll find. Annie runs the gauntlet of emotions throughout the story. Love for her family. Devotion to her husband (Byrne) and children Peter (Wolff) and Charlie (Shapiro). Resentment for her late mother. Dire grief and raw sorrow as traumatic events unfold.
A second viewing made me further appreciate Alex Wolff who is fast becoming one of my favorite actors. Wolff is involved in most of the best scenes in the film, and has a certain look that delivers in all the right ways during the scary parts. The most notorious being the car scene, where it’s a minute of near silence that Wolff owns like a pro. His eyes and demeanor make for one of the most gripping and suspenseful moments you’ll ever find in a movie.
A Film for Analysis Junkies
“Hereditary” has plenty of nuance to digest. One can (and will) fall through an endless worm hole of analysis videos and fan theories. Ari Aster tells the story in a compelling way. He captures tension in perfect fashion. It’s a dark story.
The scares, though limited, are truly terrifying. The score brings with it a feeling of dread. Parts can be tough to watch for the realistic depiction of tragedy. I could do without some of the grisly visuals and, at 127 minutes, a bit of trimming would be nice.
I want to like “Hereditary” more than I actually do. On a second viewing, I appreciate it more for its style. And the horror scenes that do work are excellent. But I still hate the ending. As we fast approach the Halloween season, I recommend watching. While I don’t think it belongs in the upper echelon of terror, It’s unique and unsettling in its own way as a true horror film.
“Hereditary” can be rented on Amazon.
