Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Hereditary.
Director Ari Aster’s 2018 filmHereditaryremains one of the most divisive horror movies in modern history. Though not all audiences liked the movie when it premiered, it’s no surprise thatNetflix recently releasedHereditaryfor streaming. Produced by acclaimed studio A24,Hereditarywas hyped asan instant modern horror classicbefore its premiere, drawing in plenty of viewers who wanted to experience this frightening phenomenon for themselves.
ThoughA24’sHereditarydelivered plenty of scary scenesand an engaging story, the film had a shocking reception in theaters after it split general audiences down the middle.Hereditaryhas its fair share of fans and haters, but it ended up being one of the most popular, profitable, and disputable films ever produced by A24. All in all, this film’s reputation is expected to makeHereditarya top viewing choice on Netflix.
Hereditary Is Now Streaming On Netflix - What The Horror Movie Is About
Hereditary Is An Intense, Frightening Tale Of Familial Grief And Demonic Possession
Hereditarycenters around the Graham Family made up of mother Annie, father Steve, son Peter, and daughter Charlie, and begins with them attending the funeral of Annie’s mother, Ellen Leigh. Following the funeral, Annie attends a support group in which she confesses her difficult childhood and the tense relationship she had with Ellen. Meanwhile, Annie’s son Peter attends a high school party and is forced to bring his younger sister Charlie along. However, after the latter has an allergic reaction from eating cake with walnuts at the party, Peter tries racing her to the hospital,only for Charlie to get decapitated by a telephone pole in a horrific accident.
Hail Paimon!: Hereditary Ending Explained
Ari Aster’s Hereditary is as horrific as it is perplexing, and deciphering its layered ending and “Hail, Paimon” scene isn’t a simple feat.
The Graham family is fractured by the death of their youngest child, anda grief-stricken Annie is taught how to perform a seance to communicate with Charlie’s spirit. Though Annie succeeds in doing so,Hereditaryreveals she accidentally summoned theDemon King Paimon, who is trying to possess her and Peter. Not only that, but Ellen was also part of a secret, Satanic cult manipulating the Grahams into invoking and providing a host for Paimon.
Why Hereditary Is So Divisive (Despite Its 90% Score On Rotten Tomatoes)
As An Art Film, Hereditary Gained More Prestige From Critics Than Audiences
Before its theatrical release,Hereditaryreceived rave reviews from critics, with A.A. Dowd ofAV Clubdrawing comparisons between it and hit horror classics likeThe ExorcistandRosemary’s Baby.The film received a remarkable 90% score from critics onRotten Tomatoes, andmade $87.8 million against its $10 million budget, according toBox Office Mojo. However, despite these reviews and high box office numbers, audiences gaveHereditarya 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a D+ onCinemaScore.
15 Horror Movies To Watch If You Love Hereditary
Ari Aster’s Hereditary was one of the greatest horrors of the 21st century, leaving viewers searching for movies that explore similar themes.
Since A24 is an independent movie company, it’s actually no surprise that one of its films didn’t appeal quite a strongly to more mainstream audiences. It’s even more understandable withHereditary, as it’s a 127-minute slow-burning psychological horror film. The movie relies more on building tension and suspense over time rather than using multiple jump scares like in typical Hollywood horror films.It’s also an incredibly dark and intense story of how unresolved grief and dysfunction destroy a family, making it a deeply unsettling cinema experience.
Despite its mixed reception, the film succeeded in presenting a unique and haunting story about grief, trauma, and fate that features some of the most unforgettably frightening scenes in modern cinema.
In the end,Hereditaryis more of an art film than a horror blockbuster, so it certainly wasn’t going to appeal to all audiences in theaters. Despite its mixed reception, the film succeeded in presenting a unique and haunting story about grief, trauma, and free will that features some of the most unforgettably frightening scenes in modern cinema.Hereditaryisn’t for the faint of heart, but that should make it all the more appealing to fans of the horror genre now that it’s on Netflix.
