Review Movie Hereditary A Family Affair Gone Wrong

Character Analysis

Hereditary’s chilling effectiveness stems not just from its jump scares (though those are plentiful!), but from the meticulously crafted characters and their agonizing unraveling. Each member of the Graham family carries a unique burden, a carefully constructed psychological profile that makes their descent into madness both believable and profoundly unsettling. The film masterfully avoids simple villain/victim tropes, instead presenting a complex tapestry of inherited trauma and self-destructive tendencies.

Annie Graham’s Motivations and Psychological Complexities

Annie, the grieving mother at the heart of the story, is a fascinating study in repressed grief and inherited madness. Her meticulously controlled exterior masks a deep well of unresolved trauma stemming from her own difficult relationship with her mother, Ellen. Annie’s perfectionism and need for control are arguably coping mechanisms for the overwhelming anxiety and guilt she feels over her family’s struggles, particularly Charlie’s. Her artistic pursuits, seemingly a source of solace, become a conduit for her subconscious anxieties, reflecting the disturbing imagery and themes that plague her. The film subtly hints at her own possible mental illness, suggesting a cyclical pattern of inherited trauma. Her actions, often seemingly irrational, are rooted in a desperate attempt to maintain control in the face of overwhelming forces beyond her comprehension.

Comparison of Annie, Peter, Charlie, and Ellen’s Personalities

The Graham family is a portrait of dysfunction, each member reflecting a different facet of inherited trauma and coping mechanisms. Annie’s rigid control contrasts sharply with Peter’s rebellious adolescence and self-destructive tendencies. Charlie, the youngest, is depicted as a somewhat unsettling child, exhibiting signs of anxiety and possibly a nascent understanding of the family’s dark secrets. Ellen, the enigmatic grandmother, embodies the generational weight of the family’s inherited curse, her manipulative and controlling nature seeding the destructive patterns seen in her daughter. The contrast between their personalities highlights the multifaceted nature of inherited trauma and its varying manifestations.

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Character Development Throughout the Film

Each character undergoes a significant transformation throughout the film’s runtime. Annie’s carefully constructed facade crumbles as the supernatural forces close in, revealing her underlying fragility and desperation. Peter’s rebelliousness intensifies, leading him down a path of self-destruction fueled by grief and a growing awareness of the sinister forces at play. Charlie, initially presented as somewhat eccentric, becomes a pivotal figure in the unfolding horror, her actions directly influencing the trajectory of the family’s fate. Ellen, though physically absent for much of the film, remains a powerful presence, her influence shaping the events and the characters’ responses.

Key Decisions and Their Consequences

The characters’ decisions are often driven by emotion and a lack of understanding, leading to devastating consequences.

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• Annie’s decision to participate in the séance: This decision opens the door to the supernatural forces that ultimately consume her family. It’s a desperate attempt to connect with her deceased mother, but it backfires catastrophically.
• Peter’s decision to abandon his family: Driven by fear and self-preservation, Peter flees the family home. This act of abandonment leaves Annie vulnerable and alone to face the escalating horrors.
• Charlie’s decision to disregard warnings: Charlie’s actions, though seemingly innocent, contribute to the escalating supernatural events. Her defiance of boundaries inadvertently facilitates the malevolent entity’s actions.
• Ellen’s manipulative actions throughout her life: Ellen’s subtle manipulation and control over her daughter have profound and lasting effects, creating a cycle of trauma that continues through generations.

Directorial Style and Cinematography

Ari Aster’s directorial debut, *Hereditary*, isn’t just a horror film; it’s a masterclass in building and sustaining dread. He eschews cheap jump scares in favor of a slow burn, meticulously crafting an atmosphere of creeping unease that burrows under your skin and refuses to let go. This chilling effect is achieved not through gratuitous gore, but through a masterful blend of cinematography, sound design, and pacing that keeps the audience perpetually on edge.

Aster’s use of lighting is particularly noteworthy. The film is often shrouded in shadows, with strategically placed darkness highlighting the characters’ vulnerability and amplifying the sense of the unknown. This shadowy aesthetic, combined with the use of natural light filtering through windows or illuminating specific objects, creates a visual language that speaks volumes about the characters’ internal states and the growing threat looming over them. The contrast between light and dark isn’t just visually striking; it’s deeply symbolic, reflecting the duality of the family’s life and the encroaching darkness of the supernatural forces at play.

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Lighting and Camera Angles

The film’s use of low-key lighting, often highlighting specific objects or characters’ faces in stark contrast to the surrounding darkness, enhances the feeling of unease. Consider the scene where Annie first discovers the disturbing videotapes in her son Peter’s room. The dim, flickering light from the monitor casts long, ominous shadows across the walls, transforming a mundane space into a place of unsettling mystery. The camera angles are equally effective. Low angles frequently place the viewer in a position of vulnerability, looking up at the characters and emphasizing their powerlessness against the encroaching supernatural forces. Conversely, high angles can make characters seem small and insignificant, further emphasizing their vulnerability.

Sound Design and Pacing

The sound design in *Hereditary* is as crucial as the visuals. The film utilizes a range of unsettling sounds, from subtle creaks and whispers to jarring bursts of noise, to maintain a constant state of tension. These sounds are often used off-screen, creating a sense of something unseen and threatening lurking just beyond the frame. The film’s pacing is deliberate and slow, building tension gradually before unleashing moments of intense horror. This deliberate pacing allows the audience to fully absorb the unsettling atmosphere and become deeply invested in the characters’ fates. The slow burn approach is crucial to the film’s overall effectiveness, as the prolonged suspense makes the moments of terror all the more impactful.

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Specific Scene Analysis: The Charmin Ultra Strong Scene

The scene where Annie discovers the disturbing miniature replica of her family’s house, complete with unsettling details, is a perfect example of Aster’s masterful use of visual storytelling. The close-up shots of the miniature house, focusing on its chillingly accurate details, create a sense of unease and foreboding. The lighting in this scene is particularly noteworthy; the dim, almost claustrophobic atmosphere amplifies the feeling of dread and isolation. The scene’s slow pacing allows the audience to fully absorb the unsettling details, and the quiet, almost suffocating silence heightens the suspense. The slow pan across the miniature house, revealing its disturbing accuracy, is particularly effective in building tension. This meticulous detail and slow reveal allow the horror to slowly seep into the audience’s consciousness, leaving a lasting impact long after the scene concludes.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

Hereditary, Ari Aster’s directorial debut, didn’t just creep into theaters; it clawed its way into the collective consciousness, sparking a fervent debate among critics and audiences alike. The film’s unique blend of family drama and terrifying horror proved divisive, resulting in a fascinating spectrum of critical and audience responses. Some hailed it as a masterpiece of modern horror, while others found its slow burn and unflinching depiction of grief too much to bear. The film’s impact, however, is undeniable.

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Critical Perspectives on Hereditary

The critical reception of Hereditary was, to put it mildly, a rollercoaster. Reviews ranged from ecstatic praise to measured criticism, often focusing on different aspects of the film’s execution. Positive reviews frequently lauded the film’s unsettling atmosphere, Toni Collette’s powerhouse performance, and Aster’s masterful control of suspense. Negative critiques, on the other hand, sometimes pointed to a perceived slow pace in the first act or found the film’s ending ambiguous or unsatisfying. The film’s divisive nature speaks to its ambition and willingness to push boundaries, rather than a fundamental flaw in its creation.

Categorization of Critical Opinions

We can broadly categorize the critical perspectives into several key areas. Firstly, Toni Collette’s performance was almost universally praised, with many critics considering it an Oscar-worthy display of raw emotion and vulnerability. Secondly, the film’s unsettling atmosphere and effective use of sound design were major points of commendation. Thirdly, the film’s narrative structure and pacing were a source of both praise (for its deliberate build-up of tension) and criticism (for its perceived slowness). Finally, the ambiguity of the ending sparked significant debate, with some viewing it as a powerful artistic statement and others finding it frustratingly unclear.

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Audience Reactions and Impact

Audience reactions mirrored the critical divide. Many viewers were deeply affected by the film’s exploration of grief, trauma, and family dysfunction, praising its psychological depth and unsettling realism. Others found the film too disturbing or slow-paced, unable to connect with its more esoteric elements. Regardless of individual preferences, Hereditary undeniably left its mark on viewers, sparking numerous online discussions, fan theories, and a significant boost in the popularity of “slow burn” horror. The film’s impact extends beyond mere entertainment; it sparked conversations about mental health, familial relationships, and the power of cinematic horror to explore complex emotional landscapes.

Summary of Key Critical Reviews

Genre and Influences

Hereditary isn’t your grandma’s cozy horror flick; it’s a genre-bending behemoth that stomps all over familiar tropes while simultaneously paying homage to its cinematic ancestors. It expertly blends elements of several genres, creating a disturbingly unique viewing experience that lingers long after the credits roll. This masterful mix of genres, coupled with its diverse influences, makes Hereditary a fascinating study in cinematic hybridity.

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Hereditary defies easy categorization, comfortably inhabiting the realms of psychological horror, family drama, and supernatural thriller. The film’s central conflict isn’t simply a haunted house or a malevolent spirit; it’s a deeply fractured family grappling with grief, trauma, and the insidious influence of a malevolent, otherworldly force. This intricate weaving of personal tragedy with supernatural elements elevates Hereditary beyond a simple scare-fest, transforming it into a profound exploration of inherited trauma and the fragility of the human psyche.

Genre Classification and Blending

Hereditary’s success lies in its refusal to be neatly categorized. While undeniably a horror film, it transcends the typical jump-scare approach. The horror is deeply psychological, slowly building tension and dread through unsettling imagery, disturbing sound design, and the gradual unraveling of the Graham family. The family drama element is equally crucial, providing a relatable human core to the increasingly surreal and terrifying events. The film uses the family’s dysfunction as a breeding ground for the supernatural horror, making the scares all the more impactful and unsettling because they are rooted in the very real struggles of its characters. The supernatural thriller elements add a layer of mystery and suspense, keeping the audience guessing about the true nature of the evil at play and its connection to the family’s past. This intricate layering of genres creates a rich and complex narrative that avoids genre clichés.

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Influences from Literature, Film, and Mythology

The film draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. The unsettling atmosphere and themes of inherited trauma echo the works of writers like Shirley Jackson (The Haunting of Hill House) and Edgar Allan Poe, with their exploration of psychological torment and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. Visually, the film is reminiscent of classic horror films like The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby, borrowing from their unsettling imagery and slow-burn approach to building suspense. The film also incorporates elements of pagan mythology and occult practices, particularly focusing on themes of inherited curses and generational trauma. The film’s unsettling imagery and focus on familial curses draw parallels to the disturbing themes found in works like The Wicker Man, albeit with a far more psychological focus. The use of symbolism, particularly involving the miniatures, adds another layer of complexity, hinting at the power of inherited trauma and the inescapable nature of fate.

Comparison with Similar Films

While sharing thematic similarities with other psychological horror films such as The Babadook (exploring grief and maternal guilt) and The Others (playing with perceptions of reality), Hereditary distinguishes itself through its unflinching portrayal of family dysfunction and its uniquely unsettling visual style. Unlike many horror films that rely on jump scares, Hereditary builds tension through unsettling imagery, sound design, and the gradual disintegration of the Graham family. Compared to films like Insidious, which often utilize more overt supernatural elements, Hereditary keeps a foot firmly planted in the realm of psychological horror, making the supernatural elements all the more disturbing because of their ambiguous nature. The film’s focus on the internal struggles of the characters, rather than simply external threats, sets it apart from many other horror films in the genre.

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Subversion of Genre Conventions

Hereditary cleverly subverts typical horror conventions. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, it meticulously builds suspense through unsettling visuals, disturbing sound design, and the slow, agonizing unraveling of the Graham family. The film avoids typical horror antagonists, opting instead for a more ambiguous and unsettling evil that’s deeply intertwined with the family’s history and psychology. This makes the horror all the more effective, as it stems from the very real and relatable struggles of its characters. The film also challenges the traditional “final girl” trope, instead showcasing the vulnerability and fragility of its characters in the face of overwhelming horror. The ending, in particular, is a subversion of expectations, leaving the audience with a sense of unease and lingering questions rather than a sense of resolution or closure. This refusal to provide easy answers further contributes to the film’s lasting impact and its unique position within the horror genre.

Visual Effects and Special Effects: Review Movie Hereditary

Hereditary’s unsettling atmosphere isn’t solely built on chilling performances and a bone-chilling script; it’s a masterclass in subtle, effective visual effects. Ari Aster expertly blends practical effects with CGI, creating a disturbing realism that stays with you long after the credits roll. The film avoids flashy, over-the-top VFX, instead opting for a more understated approach that amplifies the dread and psychological horror. This strategic use of effects makes the disturbing moments even more impactful, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.

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The film’s visual effects seamlessly integrate into the narrative, enhancing the sense of unease and escalating the tension. Rather than relying on CGI to create every unsettling moment, Aster uses a clever mix of practical effects and digital enhancements, resulting in a unique visual language that is both disturbing and believable. This careful balance between practical and digital effects allows the film to maintain a grounded sense of reality, even as it delves into increasingly surreal and terrifying territory.

Practical and CGI Effects in Hereditary

The use of practical effects in Hereditary adds a tangible layer of horror. For instance, the unsettling movements and contortions of the characters are often achieved through practical means, creating a visceral and believable sense of dread. This contrasts with the subtle use of CGI, which is primarily employed to enhance or extend the practical effects, creating a seamless blend that avoids a jarring or artificial look. The combination of these techniques contributes to the film’s overall realism and unsettling atmosphere. Specific scenes demonstrate this masterful blend.

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• Type of Effect: Practical make-up and puppetry. Scene: The disturbing scene involving the disturbingly realistic and disturbingly lifelike miniature version of the family house. Purpose: To create a visceral, unsettling image that heightens the sense of dread and foreshadows the events to come. The detail in the miniature is astonishing, mirroring the real house perfectly, adding to the uncanny valley effect.
• Type of Effect: CGI enhancement of practical effects. Scene: The unsettling scene with Charlie’s head. Purpose: To subtly enhance the disturbing imagery, creating a realistic yet unsettling effect. The CGI is used sparingly, focusing on creating a sense of unease rather than creating a spectacle.
• Type of Effect: Practical effects and subtle CGI. Scene: The climactic scene involving Annie’s transformation. Purpose: To build tension and create a sense of escalating horror. The practical effects provide a visceral sense of the transformation, while the CGI enhances the unsettling imagery without overwhelming the scene.

Contribution of Visual Effects to the Film’s Overall Impact, Review movie hereditary

The strategic use of visual effects in Hereditary is crucial to its overall impact. The film’s unsettling atmosphere is not created through jump scares or gratuitous gore, but rather through a slow burn of dread, meticulously crafted through the visual language. The effects, both practical and CGI, contribute to this by subtly unsettling the viewer, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the film ends. The subtle use of CGI, in particular, enhances the realism of the practical effects, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the film’s unsettling world. The film avoids flashy or overly stylized effects, opting instead for a more realistic and disturbing approach. This makes the horror feel more grounded and relatable, increasing the emotional impact on the viewer.

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