Hereditary
It’s not just a horror movie, it’s the horror of realizing your family’s worst traits might be living quietly inside you too. With that said, I can see why this film doesn’t work for everyone, as it’s an amalgamation of family drama with bits of horror sprinkled in, but it works on so many levels for me. Hereditary is a frightening tale of family trauma and how you can inherit more than just genetics from your family. It’s expertly crafted and shot, with most of the horror hiding in the shadows or in the small details you notice upon rewatches, until the final act when there are no holds barred. It’s accompanied by what might be the most frightening score in a horror movie by Colin Stetson. The first time I heard the track “Reborn” I felt a pit in my stomach from the fear it created once the score built into full screeching. I’d also be remiss not to mention the incredible performances by everyone involved, each playing a crucial part in building up the horror and tension.
By the time the credits rolled, I was left in complete bewilderment at how well this movie wove its themes together, delivering a satisfyingly horrifying ending. It left me terrified of tongue clicks and realizing that the demons are bad, sure, but nothing’s scarier than inheriting the worst parts of the people who raised you