An Instant Classic

Rating: 10/10 (3 July 2019)

This film will be spoken of alongside the likes of The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and The Shining in the future. Director Ari Aster takes his time in introducing characters, relationships, themes, and tone. It's what some would call "a slow burn." However, I think it's always interesting and always captivating. Aster sinks the audience so deep into what feel almost like a surreal, nightmare world right from the top of the film, so I never felt bored.
Toni Collette gives the greatest horror performance of all time. Without a doubt. She's human, scary, tragic, and maniacal. Alex Wolfe also deserves a huge round of applause for giving one of the most realistic portrayals of a teenager in a horror film. His shock, grief, and guilt feel real and specific.
Aster does give us some truly appalling scares and moments of absolute shock. The final scenes of this film are pure surreal horror. They feel deeply disturbing, deeply frightening, and immediately iconic.
This is a modern classic.