Hereditary

I found it ironic that the horror elements - effective as they are - of 2018's HEREDITARY were the least successful.  During the first two acts, writer/director Ari Aster's debut film builds a solid, sometimes brutal family drama with just the right amount of portent.  We just know the director is teasing us with clues about what is to come, even if we don't put two and two together right away.  It's an involving thriller with relatable moments whether you're a parent or not.  But as we inch toward the climax, Aster's true mission comes front and center with what might be described as a rather overdone, ridiculous wrap-up.  One where the line between horrifying and laughable is tread very dangerously. 

And the horror scenes are old hat.  Seen it all before.  This surprised me.  Aster's film was heavily touted as a "new horror classic" but I have to conclude that anyone who would proclaim this is not familiar with the real horror classics of old.  I had this idea that HEREDITARY was a clever, mind-bending original.  Not at all.  More of a retro retread/homage that lifts ideas and even an exact camera shot or two.  That in itself is nothing new.  Brian De Palma, to name but one, certainly did it a few times.  And if you're a regular on this blog you'll know I value ingenuity more than just content.  But as talented as Aster obviously is - his shot transitions are some of the best I've seen in recent years - his film ends up feeling like another latter day throwback, one with which the artist didn't trust enough to forge his own path.

Toni Collette is quite good as Annie, mother of the rather odd Charlie (Milly Shapiro), an introvert who decapitates a dead pigeon and Peter (Alex Wolff), who like many teens is always looking for some good weed.  Annie's mother Ellen has just died as the film begins but the grieving process doesn't seem to be very difficult for the family, including Annie's husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne, a bit stiff).  Annie reluctantly attends a bereavement support group and in a heartfelt speech reveals the frustrating relationship she had with her mother. 

Strange and terrible things happen.   Someone desecrates Ellen's grave. The family suffers a breathtaking tragedy that I will not reveal here, though suffice it to say the staging of that scene jolted me to the core.  It must've been something to experience with an audience.  Subsequently the film tracks the fallout with some strong moments among the characters, and suitably discordant vibe. 

For awhile, at least.  As HEREDITARY's pieces come together Aster's method becomes clearer - he's merely imitating.   I was reminded of THE EXORCIST, DON'T LOOK NOW. ROSEMARY'S BABY, and a host of other films.  I read that the director cited ORDINARY PEOPLE for inspiration as well, obviously for the earlier scenes.  Viewers unfamiliar with those will likely be more impressed with this movie, which is well shot by Pawel Pogorzelski.  Perhaps those of the same mindset (and maybe age) as those who held JOKER in such high esteem.  You might think that having a wealth of film knowledge and viewing experience would make these contemporary re-dos more interesting, but more often the opposite is true.

The final scene is straight up horror, with some nifty if familiar effects.  By that point my interest and empathy for the characters had been extinguished.  I was left with many thoughts about what Aster was traying to convey about mental illness, demonic forces, and masculinity, but they were not enough for me to hail HEREDITARY as the modern classic so many were exclaiming.  I did like Aster's use of miniatures in an ongoing subplot.