Hereditary is a film that explores family trauma, grief, faith, and mental health. Its limited perspective allows for a tremendous surprise as we catch up on the depth of backstory that’s led to current events. A narrow film, Hereditary manages a sense of scope through its exploration of the afterlife and intimation that demons really and truly exist. Of note, is the film’s structure. The first half is mostly grounded in reality. After a tragedy, the later portion becomes more surreal then escalates to the supernatural. 

While full of shocking and powerful moments, Hereditary is probably less subtextual than it seems. Much of what’s to discover is backstory and world building rather than a deeper metaphor or social commentary. With that said, Hereditary is a portrait of grief that’s quite striking as a dramatization of what happens when trauma tears a family apart. And is one of the most interesting horror films of the 2010s.  

Read our full explanation here, where we break down key aspects of the movie’s plot, ending, meaning, and more.

Written by Chris Lambert