Hereditary plunges viewers into a maelstrom of grief, mental illness, and insidious supernatural forces as the Graham family confronts a terrifying legacy that stretches back generations. More than just a horror film, Hereditary is a chilling exploration of familial trauma, the weight of inheritance, and the fragility of the human psyche when confronted with the unknown1.
Director Ari Aster masterfully crafts an atmosphere of dread and unease, eschewing traditional jump scares in favor of a slow-burn approach that allows the horror to seep into the viewer’s subconscious. As Aster himself explained, “The film is about how trauma can utterly transform a person, and not necessarily for the better.” 2 This focus on the psychological impact of trauma, coupled with the film’s disturbing imagery and unsettling sound design, creates a truly haunting cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
To fully grasp the intricate plot of Hereditary, we must delve into the lives of the Graham family, unravel the secrets of their ancestry, and decode the film’s rich symbolism. This analysis will explore the characters, their relationships, and the sinister events that unfold, while also connecting the film to broader themes in horror cinema and cultural contexts.
The Graham Family and the Shadow of Ellen Leigh
The film introduces us to the Graham family, a seemingly ordinary family grappling with extraordinary circumstances. Annie, played with chilling intensity by Toni Collette, is a miniature artist struggling to cope with the recent death of her enigmatic mother, Ellen Leigh4. Annie’s art, meticulously crafted miniature replicas of her own life and home, reflects her desire for control in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. As we learn from 5, “Toni Collette, in a riveting performance, plays Annie, an artist who constructs miniature models.” This artistic pursuit becomes a poignant metaphor for the family’s lack of agency and their struggle against a predetermined fate.
Annie’s husband, Steve, portrayed by Gabriel Byrne, is a psychiatrist who attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the family’s growing turmoil5. Their children, Peter, a troubled teenager played by Alex Wolff, and Charlie, a peculiar young girl played by Milly Shapiro, complete the family unit4. From the outset, the family dynamic is fraught with tension, with unspoken resentments and unresolved conflicts simmering beneath the surface.
Annie’s relationship with her mother, Ellen, is particularly complex. In a support group, Annie reveals that she had a difficult childhood and a strained relationship with her mother, marked by secrecy and a sense of unease6. She describes Ellen as a secretive and controlling figure who had an unhealthy attachment to Charlie. This troubled history casts a long shadow over the Graham family, setting the stage for the horrors that are to come.
Unmasking the Occult: Paimon and the Cult’s Sinister Plan
As the Grahams grapple with their grief, a series of disturbing events begins to unfold. Strange occurrences plague their home, and both Annie and Peter experience unsettling visions and nightmares7. The film gradually reveals that Ellen Leigh was not just a troubled matriarch; she was a devoted member of a cult that worshipped Paimon, one of the kings of Hell8.
This cult, led by the manipulative Joan, had a sinister plan in motion – to bring Paimon into the physical world by possessing a male host from Ellen’s bloodline9. This plan, as revealed in 9, was not their first attempt. Annie’s brother had committed suicide years earlier after claiming that their mother was “trying to put people inside him.” This chilling detail highlights the generational nature of the cult’s influence and the Graham family’s tragic history.
Annie, vulnerable and desperate for answers, is unwittingly drawn into the cult’s web. Joan, exploiting Annie’s grief and desperation, manipulates her into conducting a séance, unknowingly furthering the cult’s plan8. As 9 points out, “Understanding Annie’s Role… While ‘Hereditary‘ presents itself as a complex supernatural horror film, its plot is essentially about a cult successfully carrying out an elaborate plan to provide a demon king with a suitable host.”
Charlie, seemingly the initial target of the cult’s efforts, tragically dies in a freak accident7. Her death, while horrific, serves as a catalyst for the next stage of the cult’s plan, shifting their focus to Peter. Through a series of manipulated events and supernatural interventions, the cult successfully lures Peter into their web, ultimately leading to his possession by Paimon9.
Symbols of Dread: Decoding the Visual Language of “Hereditary”
Hereditary is a film steeped in symbolism, with recurring motifs and visual cues that contribute to its unsettling atmosphere and foreshadow the unfolding horror. One of the most prominent symbols is the sigil of Paimon, a circular pattern with a distinctive spiral. This sigil appears throughout the film, subtly embedded in various scenes. As noted in 10, “From the book, Aster selects The Sigil of Paimon, a circular pattern engraved with a unique spiral (a sigil being a symbol possessing magic power) as an alternative to pentagrams and ‘upside-down crosses’ — cliches that he wanted to avoid.” We see it on Ellen’s necklace, in the markings on the telephone pole that claims Charlie’s life, and even hidden within Annie’s artwork7.
Another recurring motif is the presence of ants, often associated with death and decay7. Ants swarm over Charlie’s decapitated body, infest the Graham home, and appear in various scenes throughout the film, symbolizing the encroaching darkness and the inevitable decay that awaits the family.
The film also employs the motif of decapitation, representing the separation of mind and body, and ultimately, the loss of control11. Charlie’s gruesome death, Peter’s visions of his own decapitated head, and Annie’s final act of self-harm all contribute to this theme, highlighting the characters’ vulnerability and their inability to escape their predetermined fate.
Even seemingly innocuous details, like the pigeon that appears early in the film, can be interpreted as symbolic warnings7. These symbols, woven into the fabric of the film, create a sense of unease and foreshadow the impending doom that awaits the Graham family.
The Legacy of Trauma: “Hereditary” and the Cultural Context
Beyond its supernatural elements, Hereditary delves into the profound impact of trauma and its inheritance across generations. The film explores how past experiences, particularly those related to family and mental health, can shape our present and future2. Annie’s struggles with her mother’s legacy, Peter’s inherited predisposition to mental illness, and Charlie’s disturbing behavior all point to the cyclical nature of trauma and its devastating consequences12.
As 13 suggests, Hereditary is “a film dominated at its core by a form of collective, cross generational familial memory. Its central characters are infatuated with the memory of lost family members and it is this memory which returns to haunt the family.” The film’s exploration of inherited trauma resonates with broader societal discussions about mental health and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. It taps into the anxieties surrounding family secrets, the weight of expectations, and the fear of repeating the mistakes of previous generations14.
Hereditary also reflects cultural anxieties surrounding the loss of control and the fear of the unknown. The Graham family’s descent into chaos is a chilling reminder of how easily our lives can be upended by forces beyond our comprehension. This theme, coupled with the film’s exploration of inherited trauma, makes Hereditary a powerful and thought-provoking piece of contemporary horror cinema.
Conclusion: A Descent into Inherited Darkness
In conclusion, Hereditary is a chilling exploration of inherited trauma, demonic possession, and the unraveling of a family unit. The film masterfully combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating an unsettling and unforgettable cinematic experience2. Through its intricate plot, symbolic imagery, and exploration of complex themes, Hereditary solidifies its place as a modern horror masterpiece that continues to haunt and captivate audiences.
The film’s ending, with Peter’s complete possession by Paimon and the coronation in the treehouse, leaves a lasting impression. This final scene, where Peter is stripped of his identity and forced to serve as a vessel for a demonic entity, highlights the devastating consequences of succumbing to inherited darkness9.
Hereditary serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power of the past and the importance of confronting our inner demons before they consume us. It is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the nature of family, the weight of legacy, and the fragility of the human psyche in the face of unimaginable horror.
Works Cited
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2. Is Hereditary based on a true story? Details explored – Soap Central, accessed January 21, 2025, https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/is-hereditary-based-true-story-details-explored
3. 11 Memorable Facts About ‘Hereditary’ – Mental Floss, accessed January 21, 2025, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/601658/hereditary-movie-facts
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8. The True Story Behind ‘Hereditary’s Occult Themes, accessed January 21, 2025, https://collider.com/hereditary-movie-occult-true-story/
9. Hereditary Explained: A Guide Through the plot, accessed January 21, 2025, https://www.cinemaexplained.com/post/hereditary-explained-a-guide-through-the-plot
10. Western Esotericism and the Case for Elevated Horror in Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary’ (2018), accessed January 21, 2025, https://thecultural.me/western-esotericism-and-the-case-for-elevated-horror-in-ari-asters-hereditary-2018-775014
11. Thoughts on the Themes of Hereditary – Reddit, accessed January 21, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Hereditary/comments/rb4lu7/thoughts_on_the_themes_of_hereditary/
12. Hereditary – The Complete Guide (Everything Explained) – YouTube, accessed January 21, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlqyulT662g
13. Film Analysis: Hereditary (2018) – Deptford Cinema, accessed January 21, 2025, http://deptfordcinema.org/journal-posts/filmanalysis/hereditary
14. One Year of ‘Hereditary’: Its Personal Impact on Me and its Cultural Impact on the Horror Genre – Bloody Disgusting, accessed January 21, 2025, https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3565195/one-year-hereditary-personal-impact-cultural-impact-horror-genre/