Annie Graham, the deeply troubled mother at the heart of Ari Aster’s Hereditary, navigates a terrifying psychological landscape that propels the film’s disturbing narrative. While the film masterfully avoids explicitly diagnosing Annie, she exhibits signs and symptoms that suggest a complex interplay of mental illnesses, most prominently Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and schizophrenia1. This nuanced portrayal of mental illness, interwoven with supernatural elements and inherited trauma, makes Hereditary a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of familial dysfunction and the fragility of the human psyche.
One of the most unsettling scenes in the film unfolds at the dinner table, where Annie, in a fit of rage, confronts her son Peter. “I am your mother!” she screams, her voice raw with anguish and resentment. “And I am a person!” This outburst, fueled by years of repressed emotions and a history of familial trauma, offers a glimpse into the tormented mind of Annie Graham.
To fully understand the potential mental illnesses that plague Annie, we must delve into the intricate web of her family history, analyze her behavior through the lens of DID and schizophrenia, and examine how the film intentionally blurs the lines between psychological reality and supernatural occurrences.
Dissociative Identity Disorder: Fragments of Self
DID, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a severe mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states within an individual1. These identities, each with its own unique patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, can alternately control the person’s consciousness, leading to disruptions in memory, identity, and perception.
Throughout Hereditary, Annie displays several behaviors that align with the diagnostic criteria for DID. She mentions episodes of sleepwalking, which could be interpreted as transitions between different personalities, with one identity taking control while the other remains unaware1. This aligns with dissociative amnesia, a common symptom of DID where individuals experience gaps in their memory for everyday events or personal information1.
Further supporting the possibility of DID are the instances where Annie “attacks” Peter, her son. These episodes, marked by aggression and followed by confusion and a lack of memory, suggest the presence of another identity taking over and acting out in ways that Annie herself cannot recall or comprehend1.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence for DID lies in the film’s depiction of two potential on-screen personality shifts. The first occurs in Peter after Charlie’s death, where his facial expression and demeanor abruptly change, as if another presence has momentarily taken hold1. The second shift occurs in Annie herself after Steve’s death, marked by a similar, unsettling transformation1. These visual cues, while open to interpretation, could be Ari Aster’s way of subtly portraying the fragmented nature of Annie’s identity.
Schizophrenia: A World Distorted
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that profoundly affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly2. Individuals with schizophrenia may experience a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormal motor behavior.
In Hereditary, Annie’s experiences with hallucinations, particularly the recurring presence of Joan, a woman she meets at a grief support group, point towards a possible schizophrenic diagnosis1. Joan appears exclusively to Annie, offering comfort and guidance, but also subtly manipulating her into engaging in rituals and seances. This could be interpreted as a delusion, a fixed belief that is not based in reality, where Annie perceives Joan as a real person with benevolent intentions when she may be a figment of her imagination.
Adding to the potential schizophrenic symptoms are Annie’s experiences with visual and auditory hallucinations. She sees strange lights and shadows lurking in the corners of her home, and hears whispers and voices that no one else seems to notice1. These sensory distortions, coupled with her paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior, paint a picture of a mind struggling to maintain a grip on reality.
| Symptom | DID | Schizophrenia | Annie’s Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissociative Amnesia | Memory gaps for events or personal information | May occur, but not a core symptom | Sleepwalking episodes, inability to recall “attacks” on Peter |
| Identity Alteration | Presence of two or more distinct personality states | Sense of self may be fragmented, but not distinct identities | Potential on-screen personality shifts, changes in behavior |
| Hallucinations | Possible, but not a core symptom | Auditory and visual hallucinations common | Seeing Joan, strange lights, and hearing voices |
| Delusions | Possible, but not a core symptom | Fixed, false beliefs | Believing Joan is a real person with benevolent intentions |
Annie’s Family History and Inherited Trauma
Annie’s mental health is inextricably linked to her family history, a theme emphasized by the film’s title, Hereditary. From a young age, Annie was burdened by a family plagued by mental illness and shrouded in secrecy. Her mother, Ellen, suffered from dissociative identity disorder and dementia, while also engaging in secretive “private rituals” that hinted at a darker, more sinister undercurrent within the family3.
Adding to the family’s troubled history, Annie’s father died by starving himself to death, a chilling act that speaks volumes about the despair and dysfunction that permeated their lives4. Her brother, too, succumbed to mental illness, struggling with schizophrenia and ultimately taking his own life. His suicide note, claiming that their mother “tried to put people in me,” adds another layer of disturbing ambiguity to the family’s already complex narrative3.
Annie’s relationship with her mother was particularly strained. Ellen was emotionally distant and controlling, exerting a significant influence over Annie’s life, even pressuring her to have Peter against her wishes5. This lack of maternal support and the constant pressure to conform to her mother’s expectations likely contributed to Annie’s anxieties and insecurities, further exacerbating her mental health challenges.
Even after her mother’s death, Annie grapples with a complex emotional struggle, experiencing a mixture of minimal grief and overwhelming relief5. This conflicting emotional response highlights the complicated nature of their relationship and the lasting impact of Ellen’s manipulative behavior.
Furthermore, Annie projects her own regrets and untapped dreams onto her children, especially Peter5. This projection, coupled with her anxieties about her family history of mental illness, creates a toxic dynamic within the family, contributing to the growing tension and Peter’s increasing sense of alienation.
The film also reveals a disturbing detail about Annie’s childhood: her mother breastfed Charlie, Annie’s daughter4. This act, seemingly innocuous on the surface, takes on a sinister meaning when viewed through the lens of the Jungian archetype of the Great Mother. In Jungian psychology, the Great Mother represents both the nurturing and destructive aspects of the feminine, and in Hereditary, Ellen’s breastfeeding of Charlie could be interpreted as a symbolic act of possession or control, foreshadowing the tragic fate that awaits the young girl.
This history of mental illness within the family suggests a genetic predisposition or a pattern of inherited trauma that significantly impacts Annie’s psychological well-being6. The weight of this hereditary burden, combined with the traumatic events that unfold throughout the film, pushes Annie further towards a psychological breaking point.
Annie’s Art as a Coping Mechanism
Annie, a miniature artist, channels her anxieties and experiences into her meticulously crafted dollhouses. These miniature worlds, filled with intricate details and often recreating tragic events from her life, serve as a coping mechanism, allowing her to process her trauma and exert a sense of control over her chaotic reality4.
This use of art as a form of therapy has parallels to the case of Anna O, the first patient cured by psychoanalysis. Anna O, like Annie, used creative expression to confront her inner turmoil, “express her torment in poetical compositions that bring some relief to agitated state of mind.” 4
However, while art provides a temporary escape and a means of processing her emotions, it also reflects Annie’s struggle to confront her grief and trauma directly. The symbolic significance of the miniature houses lies in their representation of Annie’s attempts to control and recreate her reality, mirroring her struggle with mental illness and her desire to impose order on a world that feels increasingly chaotic and unpredictable.
Annie’s Search for Help and Support
Despite her resistance to therapy, Annie actively seeks help and support in coping with her grief and anxieties. She attends a grief support group, hoping to find solace and connection with others who have experienced similar losses4. As she admits at her first session after her mother’s death, talking through the trauma of her brother’s suicide brought her much-needed comfort4.
At the support group, Annie meets Joan, a fellow grieving mother who lost her son and grandson4. Joan becomes a source of comfort and guidance for Annie, offering a listening ear and a seemingly empathetic presence. However, Joan also subtly influences Annie, encouraging her to engage in spiritual sessions and rituals to contact Charlie’s spirit4. This influence, whether born from genuine concern or a more sinister motive, plays a significant role in Annie’s descent into despair and her increasing reliance on supernatural explanations for her experiences.
Annie’s Breakdown and Peter’s Confrontation
One of the most pivotal scenes in Hereditary occurs when Annie, in a state of emotional breakdown, confronts Peter about his role in Charlie’s death. “NOBODY TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING!” she shouts, her voice filled with rage and accusation5. This outburst, fueled by grief, trauma, and years of repressed emotions, exposes the raw vulnerability and desperation that lie beneath Annie’s carefully constructed facade.
Peter, in a rare moment of defiance, challenges his mother’s denial of responsibility. “What about you, Mom?” he asks. “She didn’t want to go, why was she there?” 5 This confrontation highlights the toxic family dynamics that have festered for years, with Annie projecting her own guilt and anxieties onto her son.
This scene marks a turning point in the film, as Annie’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Her mental state deteriorates rapidly, and her grip on reality loosens, leading to increasingly erratic and disturbing behavior.
The Blur Between Reality and the Supernatural
Hereditary masterfully blurs the lines between mental illness and supernatural occurrences, creating an atmosphere of ambiguity and dread that permeates the entire film. While Annie’s experiences could be attributed to DID and schizophrenia, the film also presents a strong case for demonic influence and possession, leaving the audience to question the true nature of her affliction.
This ambiguity is a deliberate choice by Ari Aster, highlighting the complexities of mental illness and the challenges of understanding the human mind, especially when confronted with seemingly inexplicable behavior. The film intentionally avoids providing a definitive answer, forcing the audience to grapple with the uncertainty and draw their own conclusions about the forces at play.
The film’s visual and narrative techniques further enhance this sense of ambiguity. The use of unsettling imagery, dreamlike sequences, and unreliable narration blurs the lines between reality and perception, making it difficult to discern whether Annie’s experiences are solely the product of mental illness or a manifestation of supernatural forces.
Hereditary and the Greek Tragedy: A Parallel
Hereditary draws intriguing parallels to the Greek tragedy of Heracles, particularly in its exploration of inherited fate and the consequences of ignorance. In Greek mythology, Heracles, driven mad by the goddess Hera, tragically kills his own wife and children. Similarly, Annie, burdened by a family history of mental illness and manipulated by unseen forces, becomes an unwitting participant in the destruction of her own family.
The film subtly connects Annie’s story to Heracles’ through the motif of ignored signs and warnings. Just as Heracles failed to heed the omens that foreshadowed his downfall, Annie remains oblivious to the clues that hint at her mother’s sinister involvement with the Paimon cult3. This parallel emphasizes the theme of inherited burden and the tragic consequences of failing to recognize the dangers that lurk beneath the surface.
Female Madness in Hereditary: A Historical Perspective
Hereditary engages with the historical representation of female madness in literature and film, using Annie’s character to critique societal perceptions of women and mental illness6. The film’s portrayal of Annie’s mental breakdown aligns with historical representations of female madness, often depicted as hysterical, irrational, and ultimately destructive.
This connection is evident in the film’s visual and thematic allusions to classic works like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness is marked by hallucinations and paranoia, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” which explores the oppressive societal constraints placed upon women and their mental health6.
By drawing on these historical representations, Hereditary offers a nuanced and critical perspective on how female madness has been portrayed throughout history, highlighting the societal factors that contribute to women’s psychological struggles and the often-misunderstood nature of mental illness.
Gender Roles and Family Dynamics in Hereditary
Hereditary subverts traditional gender roles within the family, further contributing to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Steve, Annie’s husband, takes on many of the nurturing duties typically associated with the mother, while Annie grapples with her mental breakdown and increasingly erratic behavior4.
This reversal of roles creates a sense of unease and disorientation, challenging the audience’s expectations and highlighting the breakdown of traditional family structures. Steve’s attempts to maintain order and stability within the family are ultimately undermined by the insidious forces at play, further emphasizing the film’s theme of helplessness in the face of inherited fate and psychological turmoil.
Viewer Interpretations and Online Discussions
Hereditary has sparked numerous online discussions and debates about the nature of Annie’s mental illness and the film’s ambiguous ending. Some viewers interpret Annie’s experiences as primarily psychological, focusing on the evidence for DID and schizophrenia. Others lean towards a supernatural explanation, emphasizing the influence of the Paimon cult and the possibility of demonic possession1.
These diverse interpretations highlight the film’s richness and complexity, inviting viewers to engage with its themes on multiple levels. The lack of a definitive answer encourages discussion and analysis, making Hereditary a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
Conclusion: A Descent into the Unknown
Hereditary offers a chilling and ambiguous exploration of mental illness, trauma, and the fragility of the human psyche. While Annie exhibits symptoms suggestive of both DID and schizophrenia, the film intentionally avoids a clear diagnosis, leaving the audience to grapple with the uncertainty and the interplay between psychological and supernatural forces.
Annie’s struggles highlight the devastating impact of inherited trauma, familial dysfunction, and grief on mental health. Her descent into madness is a complex and multifaceted process, fueled by a history of mental illness within her family, a strained relationship with her mother, and the traumatic loss of her daughter.
Ultimately, Hereditary serves as a disturbing reminder of the complexities of mental illness and the challenges faced by individuals and families grappling with these conditions. The film’s ambiguous ending and its refusal to provide easy answers leave a lasting impression, forcing viewers to confront their own perceptions of mental illness and the unknown forces that shape our lives.
Works Cited
1. Hereditary (2018) – How much was real, and how much was mental illness? : r/movies, accessed February 15, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/11ay4iz/hereditary_2018_how_much_was_real_and_how_much/
2. Schizophrenia/DID theory. : r/Hereditary – Reddit, accessed February 15, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Hereditary/comments/ef6pzs/schizophreniadid_theory/
3. Hereditary: The Real Inspiration Behind The Movie (It’s Not Mental Illness) – Screen Rant, accessed February 15, 2025, https://screenrant.com/hereditary-movie-real-inspiration-heracles-explained/
4. Hereditary Explained: Psychoanalysis and Freud – Filmosophy, accessed February 15, 2025, https://www.filmosophy.co.uk/paulinas_gore_hereditary.html
5. What Hereditary Taught Me About My Own Toxic Family Dynamic – Collider, accessed February 15, 2025, https://collider.com/what-hereditary-taught-me-about-toxic-family-dynamic/
6. Female madness, decapitation and cults in ‘Hereditary’ – The Stanford Daily, accessed February 15, 2025, https://stanforddaily.com/2020/11/11/female-madness-decapitation-and-cults-in-hereditary/