THE GREAT DIVIDER
Movie Review – Hereditary
Review by Ray Schillaci
Writer/director Ari Aster has fashioned an evil film that can nearly be a companion piece to Robert Eggers’ The VVitch. Perhaps not as elegant or intricate, and in no way as subtle, but Hereditary does get under the skin with a brilliant performance by Toni Collette and moments of creepiness and shock that leave a lasting impact on the viewer whether you like it or not. Audiences are half-and-half on this one while the majority of critics are giving it high praise. If it were not for a few scenes that illicit unintentional giggles, this film could rank close to the status of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist.
There are flaws with Aster’s film, but they are flaws many of us that appreciate the thinking man’s horror genre will overlook due to so much brilliance on the screen. From the very unusual cross study of grief and the occult to the moody production values and Colin Stetson’s eerie score, Hereditary delivers chills and shocks rarely entering the schlocky territory of so many “horror” films. But, those looking for another Stephen King, It or The Twilight Zone feel of Get Out will be disappointed. After the gasps and seeing those visibly shaken by Aster’s film, I happen to hear one viewer moan and claim “Not another VVitch.” Those who did not have the patience for Eggers’ film will not appreciate Aster’s storytelling technique.
Aster delivers a slow burn with very subtle other-worldly suggestions. There are hints of occultism everywhere. There’s no monster, slasher or demonic ghosts. There is the exploration of something far more frightening, the decimation of a family and the evil influences surrounding them. This is what audiences feared in Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. Although, unlike Polanski’s film, Aster does deliver some very frightening visuals and sounds that keep us on the edge of our seat.
Annie (Toni Collette) and her family are dealing with the loss of her nearly estranged and quite possibly mentally ill mother, Ellen. From Annie’s description at the funeral, this is more of a relief than a loss. It’s a very uncomfortable eulogy and sets in motion the disturbing feeling that permeates throughout the film. Neither her teenage son, Peter, or her husband, Steve, seem to think this was any big loss. But, Annie’s daughter, 13 year-old Charlie, being a special needs child, felt protected by grandma Ellen.
From Annie’s job as a miniature artist to the bizarre scrawling on the walls in some of the rooms, we know there is something not quite right in this household. Gabriel Byrne as Steve assumes the steadfast tradition of husband and father attempting to reassure everybody that Annie will eventually get over her troubles and they will all eventually lead a normal life. We know this is wishful thinking and this family is just going through the motions with blinders on until all hell breaks loose, and it does.
From the unsettling treehouse that we know will be of some mass importance, to whatever is up in the attic, it all generates a disturbing fear. To go any further and reveal the chaos that ensues would be a terrible spoiler. But, I cannot help but issue a warning: there are scenes that are so disturbing and shocking, I would give second thoughts to anyone under seventeen seeing it, and many adults who are easily effected by the harming of animals or children.
Aster has fashioned the kind of occult-type film that was popular in the ’70s, exploring the underlying darkness into the human soul and testing the waters of spiritualism. Once again, Toni Collette delivers an Oscar-worthy performance that hammers away at our hearts. Alex Wolff, best known from Nickelodeon’s Naked Brothers Band, delivers a solid acting job as well that is downright haunting while Miley Shapiro as Charlie gives us the creepiest child performance seen in years. Hereditary is an exploration into something so unsettling it can leave you quaking in the dark long after it is over.
Directed by: Ari Aster
Release Date: June 8, 2018
Rated: R
Run Time: 127 Minutes
Country: US
Distributor: A24
