Hereditary is, on one level, about the things we fear we may pass on to our children, and the film amply plays into that, whether it's presenting allergies, birth defects, or mental illness. What is actually going on in this horror film would be getting into spoilers, especially considering that it changes its skin every so often. Part of the enjoyment is having one's expectations confounded. What I will say is that it's a very well made film, and an intelligent one. It manages jump scares not through dissonant chords and smash cuts, but with mood and the innocuous things the audience connects to the events. It lets your eye roam and find the scare. Watch the topics covered in the teenager's classroom, because they're essentially the titles of each act. The film's recursive qualities, mostly achieved through the dioramas Toni Collette's brilliantly-portrayed character makes (which also ties into a theme of manipulation/puppetry), enhance the creep factor and bring an existential dread to the proceedings. Is our course predetermined by our genes/family history? It's a sound basis for psychological horror when you think about. A second viewing would probably yield more interesting elements laid in, including a completely different interpretation of literal events that may well hold up to scrutiny. The actual ending left me a little cold, I'll admit, but movies like this often do. I like them (The VVitch and The Kill List are the examples that come to mind), but intellectually.
Were my eyes glued to the screen? Yes. Was I creeped out? Yes. Do I know exactly what I just saw? No. Was it obvious that this was a first time feature director? No.
Most directors might have botched this up easily but Ari Aster impressed with his take.
There was enough content to lose the audience (and I think I saw the film with many who got lost along the way) but it was engaging and exciting, creepy and paced. At many points I thought the fore-shadowing was excessive but by the time Joni Mitchell started playing, i forgave the obvious and embraced the less then obvious.
Overall, worth the watch. Especially in a packed theatre. Do it while you can
Thrilling first part but the "big reveal" is a disappointment. It leaves too many questions unanswered. The cast were absolutely brilliant as was the directing. The ending was just an anti-climax.
my preferred ending would be that either the mother or the son were suffering from a psychotic break and either killed the remaining members or were living in a delussion. Would've been much better than the wtf cult ending with demons.
This movie will haunt you for days if only for the moms reaction to her daughters fatal accident. Eerie from the get go it will un-nerve you in a way that other horrors WISH they could. Brilliant acting all round and whether or not you enjoy it, you will be glad you watched it.
Def got Midsommar vibes from this. Both left me feeling icky inside. Only afterward did I learn that they are both from the same director. Not for my taste...
Well, I feel I must leave a proper comment on this film, so I can do another about Midsommar.
When I watched Hereditary I was expecting a different film and it was, in a sense, the potential of it was wasted, I really liked the first 40 minutes or so, but after that I actually laughed out loud, it became ridiculous. I truly wanted to like this film, but I couldn't. Although I've to say that I respect it, because I think it is different, not only a commercial product like most.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 41
Borvaran
Kubrick would've used Toni Colletefontanick
Scariest movie experience I’ve had in years. A lot of shots are stuck in my head haunting me as I write this.Siskoid
Hereditary is, on one level, about the things we fear we may pass on to our children, and the film amply plays into that, whether it's presenting allergies, birth defects, or mental illness. What is actually going on in this horror film would be getting into spoilers, especially considering that it changes its skin every so often. Part of the enjoyment is having one's expectations confounded. What I will say is that it's a very well made film, and an intelligent one. It manages jump scares not through dissonant chords and smash cuts, but with mood and the innocuous things the audience connects to the events. It lets your eye roam and find the scare. Watch the topics covered in the teenager's classroom, because they're essentially the titles of each act. The film's recursive qualities, mostly achieved through the dioramas Toni Collette's brilliantly-portrayed character makes (which also ties into a theme of manipulation/puppetry), enhance the creep factor and bring an existential dread to the proceedings. Is our course predetermined by our genes/family history? It's a sound basis for psychological horror when you think about. A second viewing would probably yield more interesting elements laid in, including a completely different interpretation of literal events that may well hold up to scrutiny. The actual ending left me a little cold, I'll admit, but movies like this often do. I like them (The VVitch and The Kill List are the examples that come to mind), but intellectually.Zevango
*clicks tongue*Fenring
Son looks like Toni Collette cheated on Gabriel Byrne with Jason Schwartzmancorchap
Were my eyes glued to the screen? Yes. Was I creeped out? Yes. Do I know exactly what I just saw? No. Was it obvious that this was a first time feature director? No.Most directors might have botched this up easily but Ari Aster impressed with his take.
There was enough content to lose the audience (and I think I saw the film with many who got lost along the way) but it was engaging and exciting, creepy and paced. At many points I thought the fore-shadowing was excessive but by the time Joni Mitchell started playing, i forgave the obvious and embraced the less then obvious.
Overall, worth the watch. Especially in a packed theatre. Do it while you can
Marazmatique
thekure23
Hereditary is a horrorfilm. In the original sense of the word. Horror.danisanna
Thrilling first part but the "big reveal" is a disappointment. It leaves too many questions unanswered. The cast were absolutely brilliant as was the directing. The ending was just an anti-climax.Whadda Vol. 2
I haven't been this creeped out by a movie in a long, long time. Just... wow.dippygirl78
This movie will haunt you for days if only for the moms reaction to her daughters fatal accident. Eerie from the get go it will un-nerve you in a way that other horrors WISH they could. Brilliant acting all round and whether or not you enjoy it, you will be glad you watched it.accidie
FINALLY a fresh take on the horror genre. This movie is an experience. So weird and fucked up, it makes you feel things.ryano1076
Def got Midsommar vibes from this. Both left me feeling icky inside. Only afterward did I learn that they are both from the same director. Not for my taste...Shidan
Well, I feel I must leave a proper comment on this film, so I can do another about Midsommar.When I watched Hereditary I was expecting a different film and it was, in a sense, the potential of it was wasted, I really liked the first 40 minutes or so, but after that I actually laughed out loud, it became ridiculous. I truly wanted to like this film, but I couldn't. Although I've to say that I respect it, because I think it is different, not only a commercial product like most.
marcemedi
Ari Aster =Showing items 1 – 15 of 41