Review: Hereditary (2018) ★★★★

I will fully admit that I give horror films the benefit of the doubt more often than I should. The genre is comprised of an inordinate number of derivative, formulaic B-movies, and yet we continue to come back for more, because every once in a while there is a brilliant film that comes along to surprise us. And, generally speaking, even “bad” horror films are more enjoyable to watch (and more fun to dissect) than, say, a bad dramatic film or a bad comedy. Keeping in mind that I am not as harsh on horror films, I will say that the number one criteria I consider when determining how I feel about a given horror film is whether or not it is actually scary. Oddly enough, most horror films just aren’t that scary. So when one comes out that is genuinely frightening, I am inclined to heap praise on it, whether or not the other elements that make a quality film are present. In Ari Aster’s Hereditary, the scares come in relatively late in the film, but they are certainly worth the wait.

Hereditary’s title is a bit of a misnomer, as it gave me an inaccurate conception of what the film would be. This probably works in its favor, as I found myself surprised at the direction the story took at various times throughout. Having said that, when taken as a whole, the story follows a relatively familiar trajectory. Annie (Toni Collette) is a wife and mother who constructs miniature representations of houses and people, often taken directly from her own interactions. She lives with her husband, Steve (Gabriel Byrne), their teenage son, Peter (Alex Wolff), and their younger daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro). Charlie is a reclusive child who hardly speaks, engaging in antisocial behavior and making frequent clicking noises with her tongue. Annie’s mother, Ellen, has recently passed away, and during her eulogy it is revealed that Annie’s relationship with her mother has been strained for years. We also discover that there is a history of mental illness in the family, which seems to weigh on Annie as she grapples with the death of her mother. As the story develops, the family’s secrets are slowly revealed, and Annie struggles to keep the family united through difficult times. I hesitate to give anymore information about the film, as it is best to know as little as possible going into it.

Though it has its faults and is certainly a slow burn, Hereditary tells an emotionally gripping and intense story. At times it even manages to be funny, with some of the chaos of Annie’s life manifesting itself as manic comedy. In spite of this, the film is very dark, often downright morbid. The need for resolution builds with each passing event, hitting a dramatic (and shocking) crescendo early on, before returning to its slow ascent into the final horrific conclusion. It is the structure, more than anything else, that leaves the viewer on the edge of their seat, desperate for answers and curious to see how exactly the horror will emerge.

Despite the quality of the script, the performances are not always on the same level. Toni Collette is fantastic in her role as the neurotic, emotionally distant mother. She leaves us questioning whether or not her mind is playing tricks on her, while still maintaining a level of believability that makes us identify with her character. Gabriel Byrne gives a capable performance as the husband, and though his role is relatively important for the story, he remains in the background for the majority of the film. Milly Shapiro made her debut as Charlie, and she is perfect as the creepy, strange child no one quite understands. The majority of the cast does an admirable job, but unfortunately, Alex Wolff’s portrayal of the troubled teenage son leaves much to be desired. Throughout the film, he gives flashes of being a competent (even exceptional) actor, lending the right amount of emotional gravitas to the role while still maintaining the indifferent surliness that teenagers so often embody. However, in a few scenes, his ability to show vulnerability is downright laughable, and there are other times when the script does him no favors. Having a teenager scream, “Mommy!” when they are frightened is both annoying and ridiculous. If not for these few scenes when his acting abilities are stretched beyond their limits, he does a decent job of exhibiting the hints of mental illness that run in the family.

All in all, Hereditary is an exceptional horror film that sets the perfect pace as it lures the audience into a false sense of security. The ending is terrifying, and there are just enough unique twists in the film to be different from other similar plots. Hereditary is also not for the faint of heart, and there are definitely some pretty graphic scenes, so fair warning. However, if you can tolerate a bit of gore and some genuine scares, Hereditary is an excellent film that will stick with you for a long time.

Rating: ★★★★ out of 5

Hereditary is available to purchase via Amazon here.