Hereditary
This recently entered my local $2.25 s
hit theater some few miles from my home. Before I dive into it, I must admit, at least where I live, these dollar theaters are almost too lit. These Mexicans that bring their 6 kids to a film don't give a f
uck. For better and for worse. I saw the last Strangers film at this theater and people were cheering on the killers and applauding and laughing and having a jolly time. Hugely fun 2 hours, turned an otherwise s
hitty movie into what I think all movie going experiences should aspire to. Sometimes the kids cry or someone speaks overly loud and you wanna tell them to get the f
uck out. I guess since the price of admission is so cheap that people think it's an excuse to be obnoxious? I have no idea. No real complaints though, big fan. Go support them.
It's impossible to discuss this film without spoiling it. I'll give it my best go. Hereditary is a story about a suburban family who anyone that might see them around wouldn't probably think anything of. Deep within this ancestry lies evil though. The likes of which I'm not sure anyone was ready for. It begins with a funeral. The main character, Annie, never truly knew her mother. Secretive as her mom was, she was also racked with mental disorders. Her dad as well. Those same genes trickled down to Annie and retroactively have now spilled over into the kids. I've only just scratched the surface of any intricate detail this film requires you to look for.
This movie pulls no punches. It will mash your face in, and spit on your grave. What it lacks in any real jump scares, it makes up for it with calculated, unnerving atmospheric tension. This film is soaked in dread, from the blueish dark lighting, to Millie Shapiro's incredible creepiness, to Toni Colette's unforgettable role as a woman who visibly gets shredded throughout the film. She shows such an incredible range of emotions. Early Oscar buzz is well deserved. I'd never been a huge Colette fan but I've done a 180 on that opinion. I highly doubt she'll win, but I'll be damn surprised if she doesn't get nominated. Not to mention Alex Wolff who is a pretty young up and comer, but Christ get this man some more roles. He was great as well.
All in All, Hereditary juggles many things. It maintains being a family drama while at the same time it's a horror film in the vein of The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby. I'm aware some people have trouble processing the last 15 or so minutes of the end and to a minor extent, I can agree a little, but it no way deters me from the experience leading up to it. It's a fine ending and the entire film is in the pantheon now of one of the great horror films of our time.
A