Hereditary is a disturbing horror film with expertly crafted suspense. It’s uncomfortable to watch at times, and yet at others you can’t help but feel an immense sadness for these characters. For most of the movie, we’re more focused on the intense guilt and grief that this family is going through, which helps give it a bit more depth than is normally present in the genre. It eventually leans more into standard horror genre tropes as we barrel towards the stunning conclusion. But since director Ari Aster did such good work on the front end building the characters and their family history and dynamics, it doesn’t feel as gimmicky. Or even if it does, maybe I just don’t mind it as much. He doesn’t spring for the same type of jump shocks that most horror directors rely on, which is refreshing (and kind of unique). It’s more about a slow-burning fuse of dread. And casting a talented veteran actress like Toni Collette in the main role was a fantastic choice. Same goes for Gabriel Byrne (not to mention Ann Dowd). Both actors bring an emotional resonance to their roles that help elevate the film overall. I’m not a huge horror movie watcher, but Hereditary is a worthwhile foray into a genre that’s often shallow and shock factor-heavy (even if it is sometimes bound by the constraints of the horror movie formula).

4 out of 5 stars