"Hereditary," directed by Ari Aster, is praised for its departure from predictable horror tropes, focusing on family inheritance of sinister secrets rather than just physical or psychological illnesses. The film's tension is built through subtle scares rather than jump scares, with meticulous craftsmanship in cinematography and set design enhancing the storytelling. The plot follows the Graham family's unraveling after the matriarch's death, leading to terrifying ancestral revelations. The film's success is attributed to its independent distributor A24 and the collaborative efforts of Aster and cinematographer Pavel Pogorzelski. "Hereditary" is highlighted for its ability to invoke genuine fear, with Toni Collette's performance standing out as a driving force in the film's emotional depth.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The film "Hereditary" was directed by Ari Astor.
2. The film features a star-studded cast, including Gabriel Byrne, Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, and Milly Shapiro.
3. The story follows the troubled Graham family, who are dealing with the passing of their matriarch, Ellen.
4. The family discovers that they have inherited a dark and sinister presence from their ancestors.
5. The film explores themes of family, grief, trauma, and mental illness.
6. The main character, Annie Graham, is a miniaturist who builds intricate dollhouses.
7. Annie's daughter, Charlie, dies in a tragic accident, which sets off a chain of events that reveals the family's dark past.
8. Annie's husband, Steve, is a psychiatrist who tries to help his family cope with their grief.
9. The family discovers that they are being haunted by a malevolent spirit, which is later revealed to be the demon Paimon.
10. Paimon is a demon from ancient mythology who is known for being mischievous and able to possess human hosts.
11. The film's climax features a shocking and disturbing scene in which Annie's head is decapitated, and her body is used as a vessel for Paimon's spirit.
12. The film ends with Peter, Annie's son, being possessed by Paimon's spirit, and the implication that the demon will continue to haunt the family.
13. The film features a unique and unsettling atmosphere, which is created through the use of eerie sound effects, creepy visuals, and a haunting score.
14. The film's cinematography is highly praised, with a focus on close-ups, long takes, and a muted color palette.
15. The film's script is also highly praised, with a focus on character development, psychological complexity, and themes of family trauma and grief.
16. The film's director, Ari Astor, is a first-time director, but his film is highly praised for its originality, creativity, and technical expertise.
17. The film is produced by A24, an independent film production company known for producing unique and innovative films.
18. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and received widespread critical acclaim.
19. The film has been compared to other horror classics, such as "The Exorcist" and "The Shining," for its themes of demonic possession and family trauma.
20. The film's ending is highly ambiguous, leaving audiences to interpret the meaning and significance of the events that unfold.