Hereditary movie review with Rob Ryan from York College

18th June 2018

Rob Ryan from York College helps us out with the latest movie reviews, and this one looks scary...

It’s a rarity when a horror film comes out that has caused such amazing buzz that its even topping The Exorcist on best horror films of all time lists. Even more of a rarity is when that film receives such a wide mainstream release as most of the well received horror films that come out to day are mainly independent films that receive some sort of limited release unable to reach to the multiplex. Hereditary the directorial debut of Ari Aster is something to behold, Not just because its one of the best films of the year and probably the most uncomfortable you will ever feel in a cinema this year, but because for once you don't have to travel 20 miles out of time to a independent cinema just to watch this film, its probably playing in your superhero blockbuster saturated multiplex as we speak. The fact that the film is doing so well in its release strategy and the auditorium in my showing was mostly full is amazing to me and will introduce audiences something that's new, innovative and thought provoking, the type of film they are not familiar with and the type of film that treats them with respect. In an age of sequels and remakes, this is something we need more then ever.

Hereditary is a film that really takes its time, letting mood and situation be creepy rather then resorting to cheap jump scares to remind us that we are watching a horror film every single scene, instead Hereditary is a depressing and harrowing family drama for the first half where each character is developed and fleshed out in subtle and meaningful ways. We are treated to fantastic performances from Toni Collete's Annie the grieving mother with so much death and sadness in her family tree. The emptiness in her face is unsettling and chilling but Ari Aster is quick to make sure that sympathy plays a big part in development and Collete's range from conveying anger, sadness and fear is petrifying in its realism. But the standout for me is Alex Wolff's son Peter who gives probably the most accurate depiction of guilt, and grief in any film ever. The feeling of doing something unforgivable and there is nothing you can do to change that. The panic attacks, the outbursts, the paranoia, the cold and stoned look on his face forces the viewer to be on edge as we watch this boy spiral into madness and insanity. Its truly one of the best performances of the year and shows that Wolff is a talent to look out for in the future.

As it isn't you conventional horror and the first half is more of a character and dialogue driven film, this is a film that you have to be patient with but thanks to the staggering performances, direction cinematography Ari Aster makes sure that there is always something for the audience to chew on, weather that would be subtle details and clues to the mystery the film presents or the realistic family dynamic on display. But director Aster makes the clever choice of starting of small when it comes to the horror elements and tension and building it up as the film goes a long unlike other mainstream horror films where they often exhaust all of what they have to offer earlier on in the film and unlike some bad horror films that constantly build with no satisfying pay off, Hereditary builds to a third act that shocks, surprises, upsets and most importantly scares both at the same time, with a sequence that rocked me to my core. With its dark lighting and clever camera work is was as if as I couldn't move out of my seat even if I wanted to. Everything comes together with no loose thread hanging and it was if I was a changed man when walking out because I witnessed horror filmmaking that was piratically flawless and there was no going to bed that night.

Its best that you go into Hereditary without reading into what the plot is. Try and avoid some the latest Tv ads they have to promote it as some of them spoil the imagery that is really effective once you see it for the first time on the big screen. I can't say that it’s a easy watch but no film so far this year has hit me the way Hereditary has and when I make a top 10 favs of the year I'm going to be thinking about this film for its phenomenal performances, direction cinematography, music as well as its themes of loss, grief and how dangerous values from past generations can be pasted to future generations. I have seen the film 2 days ago and I still can't get it out of my head. I can't wait for what Ari Aster has to offer next. If you are a horror fan and you haven't see it yet then you are missing out!!!

Rating 9/10

Posted by Ben Fry at 12:40pm