This is fairly engaging

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2019)

This is fairly engaging but the rather drawn out beginning and first half with its stop/start manner had me thinking I was watching some multi part TV series where the writers were only too aware this was something they needed to spin out. The kids are okay, the mother far too manic and Gabriel Byrne as the laid back and largely irrelevant father, far too lethargic and inexpressive. I was struck, however, having coincidently only seen him in the night before in Miller's Crossing in his prime, he maybe always had the feeling that one expression would probably do. Here he appears more dead than some of the actual dead but perhaps that is intended. All is not overly explained and on IMDb where there are usually one or two questions posed apropos certain films, for Hereditary there are dozens. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble dealing with them all but surely the film itself should take some responsibility for clarity. As it happens, for me, the overlong first half or so was engaging enough but as the 'happenings' began to take place I felt somewhat let down considering how long the build up had been.