Hereditary Film Analysis
Walking into a movie without prior knowledge is the best way to watch a film. If Hereditary is on your list, watch it without researching beforehand and let yourself form your own opinions and theories. Hereditary was crafted so well, it is deeply disturbing so much so that you don’t want to see the events unfold yet you can’t help but look. I would define the film as a family drama with hints of horror. Before watching the film, I already knew of some scenes and had been told not to watch it. Friends of mine said it was “the scariest film you’ll ever see.” Admittedly, I expected more gruesome or frightening scenes, however, I was pleased with the overall result and the quality of the casting choices. What makes this film different is that there is psychological depth to it rather than unnecessary violence and holy terror. There is a truth to the film, unlike the horror films such as The Exorcist (1973) or Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) which can be seen as unrealistic. Hereditary is relatable in a way because of family relations, tension, and justified feelings that stem from trauma.
One of the reasons I enjoyed the film was because of the director. Ari Aster included an amalgamation of scenes where you don’t know if what you are watching is imaginary or actually happening in realtime. As the audience member it’s hard to determine what’s real and what’s not which made the film gripping to watch.
Out of all the horror films I’ve seen this was the only one that had a combination of horrific events while maintaining the underlying theme of a cursed family tree, even including how mental illness plays a role family outcomes. For example, higher chances of being predisposed to certain illness and misfortune. While the feature film does display cult themes, spiritual play, as well as other disturbing elements, it also showcases something considered normal, the different stages of grief. Toni Collette, who plays Annie Graham, copes through her creation of miniature dioramas of her family trauma, Peter uses marijuana, and Charlie, played by Milly Shapiro has her notebook in which she draws in. In addition, Milly Shapiro helps to create this abnormal thirteen-year-old girl who displays unnerving mannerisms such as her KLOKK noise and a particular lack of emotional facial expressions. Her prescense alone, while she is an innocent child is slightly unnerving in the way she looks as well as interacts with others.
Heavy emotions run throughout this film and create tense moments between Steve (the husband), Annie, and Peter. Refusing to address past and current problems at hand results in the characters’ weak facade. In times of crisis, we may say things we don’t mean, become on edge, and unintentionally or intentionally hurt ones we love which the scriptwriters were able to showcase and articulate.
A few uncomfortable events have occurred amongst the family members especially between Annie and Peter, for example, she doused Peter in paint primer, held a lit match, all while sleepwalking. As events unfold, their relationship becomes more harshly honest yet strained due to their feelings and attitudes towards each other. Another unsettling component of the film besides the constantly uncomfortable atmosphere is the anticipation of how each character is going to respond to yet another awful event happening. The ongoing ‘accidents’ force them to uncover traumas that no one wants to uncover. The Graham family is plagued by emotional damage and unresolved trauma, their ever-growing intense emotions play off of each other as more traumatic occur. Because of the constant occurrences of disturbing circumstances, a sense of dread surrounds the film and around the audience members in the expectation of what is to come. The emotional trauma begins to spiral out of control and you may start to wonder as I did, whether if it’s all bad luck or if the family dynamic is the cause of the immense tragedies that occur in the 2 hours and 7minutes of the film.
The amount of emotional damage is one of the most horrific parts of the film, I even forgot about the violent images because I was focused on the after-effects of experiencing loss and trauma. The minimal jump scares and unsettling scenes aren’t as dreadful as the emotional suffering that occurs. A horrific scene was illustrated when Peter imagines Charlie in the corner of his room, at that moment there is a deprivation of one’s senses, which causes one to feel unnerved, in Peter’s dark dark room his mind perceives a figure in the corner which happens to be Charlie.
The use of foreshadowing in this film can be missed if you don’t pay attention. For example, the discovery of the headless grandmother (Annie’s mother) as well as the single shot of the wooden post as Peter drives to the party were both indication of a beheading. Looking back, there are other subliminal messages of foreshadowing of the demonic plan as well as the beheading of the characters. I suggest you watch the film multiple times and try and find the messages for yourself.
This film will have you terrified to see more, yet at the same time pinned to the screen and become attached to the characters. Hereditary reveals the horrors of what lies underneath familial tension as well as who you can become when you are faced with true despair. Of course, not everyone will like this film as much as I did, some moviegoers may be disappointed by the few typical horror jump scares, but others may find it suffices their horror genre appetite and may find it hard to sleep for a few weeks. Watch it if you can handle it.
