After watching the incredibly dark 2018 horror movie Hereditary, fans of the genre were impressed by Ari Aster's work and highly anticipated his 2019 follow-up Midsommar. Aster's next film, Disappointment Blvd, will be released in 2022, and fans can expect it to be as emotionally brutal and shocking as his first one.
With Hereditary being a fan favorite recent horror movie and one of the most critically acclaimed in years, fans have taken to Reddit to share what it is that they love and appreciate so much about the story of the Graham family.
Fans Notice More When Rewatching
Some horror films are all about setting, some are all about the villain, and others are all about character development. This one definitely delves into all of these aspects, and Redditor Fangore loves that the movie is so richly layered.
The fan wrote that "So much was hidden in the background" and when fans see the movie more than once, they will "notice some nice hints at what's to come." Hereditary is a deeply emotional horror film and there's an art to the filmmaking style here.
It's Terrifying And Intelligent
For many horror fans, Hereditary is a movie that deserved its hype. Redditor MopvivII wrote that "some horrors are smart but not scary" and others are the opposite "but Hereditary nails" the blend of tones.
From the moment that fans are introduced to Annie's daughter and Peter's sister Charlie, they wonder about her tick and feel like something terrible is going to happen. By the time that Charlie's big death scene happens, fans know that the movie is not only scary but also clever and that nothing is going to turn out the way that audiences expected.
The Tone Is Dark And Fresh
One Redditor praised Hereditary for its "uniquely dark storytelling and style," and it's definitely true that horror fans love the sad and brutally honest tone of this film.
As the movie opens, fans learn that Annie's mother Ellen has passed away, which leaves Annie with some difficult emotions as they had a horrible relationship. There are many dramas that talk about complex families, but it's a rare scary movie that really delves into how mothers and daughters can have trouble dealing with each other and how that can haunt the daughter for a long time.
The Feeling Of "Dread"
Considered one of the scariest horror movies, Ari Aster's beloved 2018 film is known for its unique tone.
Redditor infodawg wrote that the movie has a feeling of "Pure, unadulterated dread." The movie doesn't let up as audiences realize how sad the Grahams are and how little they understand each other. It feels like they will never find a way to get along or find happiness, and when the movie takes things up a notch after the big death scene, fans watch with a pit in their stomach.
The Movie Is Surprising
When Peter and Charlie go to a party, she has a horrible allergic reaction and they have to go home. A huge tragedy occurs when Peter accidentally swerves the car and Charlie dies in a truly graphic and shocking way.
Redditor neoriply379 wrote that they appreciate the movie because they "didn't see any twists or turns coming" and were "thoroughly engaged by the story." Charlie's scene is very upsetting yet important to the overall story as it changes the Grahams forever.
It's A Great Example Of How To Make A Horror Movie
Redditor WurmiMama wrote that Hereditary is a "master class in horror filmmaking" as Ari Aster will "turn every horror trope on its head so that you’re caught off guard."
Fans of the genre like the movie because while it's a take on a family who has terrible relationships with one another, it has that one shocking death, and the discovery that the family is tied to a demon is fascinating and not something that anyone would anticipate or guess.
Toni Colette's Amazing Performance
Hereditary is one of Toni Collete's best movies, and Redditor Fragrant-Fan4919 enjoys this movie because "Toni Collette is so incredible in it."
Annie is a layered character who needed a talented actor who could show her pain, heartbreak, and pure emotion. As Annie mourns her mother, which is complicated since they didn't get along, and then faces the grief over losing her young daughter Charlie, Toni Collette shows her acting skills in every single scene.
The Ending Is Interesting
When King Paimon possesses Peter, it's incredibly disturbing to watch, especially as audiences see that Peter has lost everyone in his family and there is really zero hope left of anyone returning to normal.
Redditor Cosmonaut_Kittens mentioned the "bells ringing and people chanting" when the characters worship the demon in the movie's final scenes. The fan wrote the "music is triumphant and exciting, almost as if we should be happy that the master plan has all come together."
The Family's Story Is So Sad
Hereditary is a visually beautifully modern horror movie, and fans watch the Graham family deal with more loss than anyone ever should have to.
Redditor johnoves wrote that the movie is especially interesting because of the "constant stress and anxiety you could feel in each scene just from the family problems."
The Movie Is Haunting
If there is one word that fans could use to describe this film, it would definitely be haunting, thanks to the overall theme, the demon Paimon, and Charlie's death.
Redditor mikeweasy wrote that looking back on Hereditary, there are "three images in there that make me feel uneasy just thinking about them." Not every horror movie has left such a lasting impression on audiences.