Wrote this in 2018 lol
Hereditary is a masterfully crated, yet deeply unsettling directorial debut from Ari Aster.
The film presents itself as a taught, psychological family drama in the beginning – we open to the funeral of a family’s matriarch. Yet, the family does not mourn their grandmother, nor do they celebrate her life. Her daughter delivers a brief, cold, and distant eulogy and that is the most grief anyone in the family shows. There are no tears. Her granddaughter nonchalantly munches on a candy bar at the funeral. The grandson when asked by his father if he misses his grandmother, smiles smugly. The family expresses their grandmother’s death with as much emotion as a person would if they had suddenly realized they left their keys at home or if they had to take another route home from work due to traffic.
It becomes apparent that the grandmother’s death is but a minor inconvenience. It also becomes apparent that something isn’t quite right with the family, yet no major reasons can be pinpointed. There is a sense of uneasiness elicited in the viewer and that feeling only grows throughout the film.
Two prominent psychological themes are woven throughout the film. The first being the deterioration of the familial structure due to the inability to cope with loss and grief. The second being the deterioration of one’s self due to mental illness. Both themes are brilliantly played off each other, creating a feeling of suffocation and dread as you watch the characters completely collapse in on themselves.
Yet there is a darker undercurrent to the film. It plays with our fear of the unknown. With our fear of the shadows and specters and figures which may lay within them. With the Eldritch horrors awaiting us in the night.
This film was amazing. But it was completely unenjoyable to watch. It was too real, too visceral, and completely oppressive in the atmosphere. I can’t recommend this film to anyone unless you want to take a long, hard look into the void and if you decide to do so, the void will look back.
Love your take on the movie, I want to rewatch now... I know you said it was unenjoyable, but I couldn't look away from the void! I loved it for some reason. Would love to hear your review of Ari Aster's other films, especially Midsommar!
ReplyDeleteaww why thanks! someone actually reads this haha. I will definitely review Midsommar - lots to dissect there!
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