Devastating, Thought-Provoking Horror

Rating: 10/10 (3 November 2018)

Do you like quiet, devastating horror that looks at family dysfunction and isn't afraid to show how ugly the world can be? Hereditary, much like Mike Flanagan's recent take on The Haunting of Hill House, is a family drama at its core, but that's exactly why it's so horrific. The tension between the characters is always palpable, but it ends up building to such a fever pitch that you may find yourself wanting to take a break during the movie.
There's one incident in the movie that's so shocking you're almost certain to still be thinking about it several weeks later. It's a huge game changer that takes the movie in a direction you'll never see coming. As long as no one has spoiled the incident for you, that is. It left me reeling, and that's very hard for a horror movie to do.
By the end of the film, everyone will get at least a taste of what they're looking for; there's quiet, introspective, humanity-based horror, some gore, a few freaky sequences that will make sensitive viewers squirm and maybe even shriek, and a more classic horror element that I won't spoil in this review.
Having said all of that, Hereditary truly isn't for everybody. There's a reason this film is so divisive. Much like The Haunting of Hill House (TV and book versions), Get Out, and modern horror books such as Where the Cats Will Not Follow and The Haunting of Cabin Green, this movie was clearly made with a certain group of horror fans in mind. It's thought-provoking and is meant to spur deep discussions about its many layers and themes. The filmmakers also understood that no matter how much gore or how many supernatural creatures you put on the screen, the most horrifying things in the world can always be found within ourselves and within the disconnect that occurs within many family relationships. If that sounds good, you'll love this movie. If, however, you prefer tons of blood and/or a humorous approach to horror, you'll probably be best served by watching something else.