Hereditary, the 2018 psychological horror film directed by Ari Aster, has garnered a reputation as a modern horror masterpiece, earning critical acclaim and achieving cult status among genre enthusiasts1. However, despite the accolades, the film has been met with a wave of negativity from some viewers. Many find it deeply unsettling, disturbing, and even emotionally draining3. So, why exactly does “Hereditary” evoke such strong feelings of dislike in some audiences?
The answer is multifaceted and rooted in the film’s unique approach to horror. Hereditary masterfully blends the supernatural with the psychological, delving into the darkest corners of family dynamics and inherited trauma4. Its slow-burn pace, emphasis on atmosphere and dread, and ambiguous ending can leave viewers feeling frustrated and unfulfilled5. Additionally, the film’s graphic imagery and exploration of challenging themes, such as mental illness and grief, can be too intense for some viewers to handle6.
Unpacking the Disturbing Elements of Hereditary
Hereditary’s disturbing nature stems from a combination of factors, including its thematic content, subversion of genre expectations, and unsettling imagery. Let’s explore these elements in detail:
1. Thematically Disturbing and Uncomfortable
Hereditary is not a film for the faint of heart. It delves into the complexities of family relationships, exploring themes of mental illness, grief, and inherited trauma with unflinching honesty4. The film’s raw and emotionally charged portrayal of these issues can leave viewers feeling deeply unsettled and emotionally drained6.
- Mental Illness: The film portrays a family with a history of mental illness, including psychotic depression, schizophrenia, and dissociative identity disorder7. Annie, the mother, reveals that her brother committed suicide due to his belief that their mother was “putting people inside him.” 8 This explicit depiction of mental illness can be triggering for viewers who have personal experience with these conditions or who find the portrayal insensitive.
- Grief and Trauma: Hereditary captures the raw and devastating effects of grief and trauma on individuals and families6. The scene where Annie discovers her daughter Charlie’s decapitated body is particularly harrowing, showcasing the mother’s utter despair and the family’s inability to cope with the sudden loss8. This unflinching portrayal of grief can be difficult for some viewers to process.
- Abuse and Neglect: The film subtly hints at possible emotional abuse and neglect within the family, particularly towards the children9. Annie’s confession to Peter that she tried to induce a miscarriage while pregnant with him reveals a deeply troubled mother-child relationship10. This can be upsetting for viewers who have experienced similar situations or who are sensitive to these issues.
- Rejection of the Female Form: As pointed out in one review, Hereditary presents a disturbing pattern of portraying women as either helpless, deviant, or “crazy.” 11 This can be interpreted as a rejection of the female form, further contributing to the film’s unsettling nature.
2. Subverting Genre Expectations
Hereditary is often marketed as a horror film, but it deviates significantly from the conventions of the genre4. This can lead to disappointment for viewers expecting traditional horror elements such as jump scares, gore, and clearly defined antagonists.
- Slow-Burn Horror: Hereditary takes a slow-burn approach, gradually building tension and atmosphere rather than relying on cheap scares6. This deliberate pacing allows the film to create a sense of creeping dread and unease, but it can also test the patience of viewers who prefer a faster pace and more immediate thrills5.
- Ambiguity and Open-Endedness: The film leaves many questions unanswered and offers an ambiguous ending that is open to interpretation1. While some viewers appreciate the film’s ambiguity and the opportunity for individual interpretation, others find it frustrating and unsatisfying12. The lack of a clear resolution can leave viewers feeling unfulfilled and even cheated.
- Lack of Catharsis: Unlike many horror films that offer a sense of catharsis through the defeat of evil or the survival of the protagonists, Hereditary leaves viewers with a lingering sense of unease and despair4. The film’s bleak ending, where the family is ultimately destroyed and the demonic forces prevail, can be emotionally draining and leave viewers feeling hopeless.
3. Graphically Disturbing Imagery
Hereditary features several scenes with graphic and disturbing imagery, including depictions of self-harm, violence, and death6. While these scenes are often praised for their effectiveness in creating a sense of horror, they can also be too intense for some viewers, leading to feelings of disgust or revulsion.
- Charlie’s Death: The scene where Charlie is decapitated in a car accident is particularly graphic and disturbing8. The suddenness and brutality of her death, coupled with the visual of her severed head, can be traumatizing for some viewers, especially those who are sensitive to violence or who have experienced similar losses.
- Annie’s Self-Harm: Annie engages in acts of self-harm, including banging her head against a door and attempting to decapitate herself with piano wire9. These scenes can be triggering for viewers who have self-harmed or who are struggling with similar issues.
- The Ending: The film’s climax features disturbing imagery of naked cult members, decapitated bodies, and demonic possession8. The scene where Peter discovers his mother’s headless body and is subsequently chased by her through the house is particularly unsettling13. This culmination of disturbing imagery can be overwhelming for some viewers and contribute to their negative perception of the film.
The Role of Expectation and Real-Life Anxieties
The negative reception of Hereditary is also influenced by audience expectations and the film’s ability to tap into real-life anxieties.
- Marketing and Hype: The marketing for Hereditary often positions it as a traditional horror film, emphasizing its scares and disturbing imagery14. This can lead to disappointment for viewers who go in expecting a conventional horror experience and instead encounter a slow-burn psychological drama with ambiguous elements.
- Real-Life Anxieties: Hereditary’s themes of inherited trauma, mental illness, and the breakdown of family resonate with deep-seated societal anxieties15. The film’s exploration of these issues can be particularly unsettling for viewers who have personal experiences or fears related to these themes.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing
Hereditary is filled with symbolism and foreshadowing, which contribute to the overall sense of dread and unease16. For example, Charlie’s fascination with decapitating objects, such as the pigeon head she finds, foreshadows her own tragic demise17. The recurring motif of Paimon’s symbol, appearing on the telephone pole that kills Charlie and in various other scenes, subtly hints at the demonic forces at play16. These symbolic elements create a sense of foreboding and contribute to the film’s disturbing atmosphere.
Hereditary’s Style and Direction
Ari Aster’s direction and stylistic choices further contribute to Hereditary’s unsettling nature. The film features long, deliberate camera pans that create a sense of claustrophobia and unease11. This technique, reminiscent of medieval tapestry, draws the viewer into the film’s world and amplifies the feeling of being trapped within the family’s increasingly disturbing reality11. The “cluck” sound made by Charlie, while seemingly innocuous at first, becomes a recurring motif that evokes a sense of dread and foreshadows the character’s unsettling presence throughout the film11.
Hereditary’s Place in Horror Cinema
Despite its divisive reception, Hereditary has been praised by many critics and has earned a place among the most thought-provoking and unsettling horror films of recent years3. The film’s exploration of complex themes, its unconventional narrative structure, and its disturbing imagery have cemented its status as a modern horror classic.
- Psychological Horror: Hereditary is a prime example of psychological horror, a subgenre that focuses on mental and emotional distress rather than physical violence6. The film’s exploration of grief, trauma, and mental illness makes it a disturbing and thought-provoking experience.
- Elevated Horror: Hereditary is often categorized as “elevated horror,” a term used to describe horror films that aspire to be more than just genre exercises6. These films often explore complex themes and feature high-quality filmmaking, aiming to transcend the limitations of the genre.
- Auteur Horror: Hereditary is a testament to the vision of its writer-director, Ari Aster18. Aster’s unique style and willingness to push boundaries have earned him recognition as a rising auteur in the horror genre.
Conclusion
Hereditary is a film that defies expectations and challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about family, grief, and mental illness. Its slow-burn approach, ambiguous ending, and disturbing imagery can be off-putting to some, while others find it to be a masterpiece of psychological horror. Ultimately, whether you love it or hate it, Hereditary is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It challenges traditional notions of what a horror film can be, reflecting evolving audience tastes and a growing appreciation for horror that delves deeper into the psychological and emotional complexities of its characters.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Ari Aster 19 |
| Main Actors | Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, Gabriel Byrne 13 |
| Year of Release | 2018 13 |
| Awards and Nominations | 52 wins & 113 nominations, including Best Actress wins for Toni Collette at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, Detroit Film Critics Society Awards, Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, and Gotham Awards6. |
| Production Details | Cinematography by Pawel Pogorzelski, Editing by Jennifer Lame and Lucian Johnston, Music by Colin Stetson 13 |
| Plot Summary | When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited20. |
| Budget | $10,000,000 (estimated) 6 |
| Box Office | $87,819,062 worldwide 6 |
Works Cited
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