After a tragic death, a family falls apart while also
dealing with the possible arrival of a malevolent spirit. HORROR
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Hereditary (2018)Written and Directed by Ari Aster
Starring Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd |
I'm a lifelong fan of horror movies, and I make it my mission to seek out ones that will terrify me or chill me to the bone. It's tough to find films like that, since I'm so desensitized by my love for the genre. But Hereditary was on a completely different level. This was a film that screwed with my beliefs, caused me to question my mental state, and made me paranoid about any secrets my own family has kept from me. The trailers made this look like a ghost movie with a twist, which it absolutely isn't. Hereditary is equal parts tragic family drama and absolute mindf**k, and every horror fan worth his/her salt owes it to themselves to watch it.
Toni Collette turns in an Oscar-worthy performance as Annie, a mother driven to the brink by tragedy and willing to do anything to right the wrongs she's caused. When she opens her home to a dark presence, her family begins to think that she's losing her mind, which she very well may be. The film keeps you guessing about what's really going on until the very last scene, which blows open an entire film's worth of questions. Hereditary conjures up some unforgettable dark imagery that will stay with you for years to come, and it never gives you a moment to catch your breath and remember that it's just a movie, particularly in the second half. It feels way too real at times, which is the mark of genius when it comes to horror. Hereditary is destined to be a horror classic on par with its many influences, most notably The Shining, Suspiria, and I would argue The Exorcist III (a truly horrifying cult hit). It's a film that people are going to remember, because it's an original idea in a sea of remakes, reboots, and sequels. Hereditary is unlike any ghost, demon, or monster movie I've ever seen, and I guarantee it's going to make me second guess the shadows around my home for a long time. |