Chance's Corner: Hereditary Review

There was a lot of animosity radiating from my theater as Hereditary faded to black, most of it was verbalized through groaning and other grumblings. The staff quickly bumped up the lights (we didn't even get to see the credits), and as I collected my trash, I turned to the people behind me and kind of rolled my eyes. They rolled their eyes, too, and one of them said, "well, that was stupid and predictable." That's certainly the simple way of putting it, but... they're not wrong. I'd also add "dull" to that critique.

Marketing suggests that Hereditary is this generations The Exorcist - the scariest movie of the year! However, the majority of Hereditary is just straight-up draaaawn out drama, with unfocused meditations on loss and (postpartum) depression. The bits of horror that are sprinkled throughout the first two acts are just staples of the genre - birds flying into windows, supposed specters lurking in the shadows, etc. There's a few "unsettling" things in the lingering pauses, but nothing significant. The only genuine surprise it had up its sleeve, which involved a telephone pole, was met more with giggles than terror. It was so ridiculous, just about as ridiculous as actor Alex Wolff's attempts at sobbing.

Now, the third act does up the ante as it transitions into a full-fledged horror film, but yet again, most of it was met with giggles - except when a particular man smiles, which is pretty ironic. That was the only instant in which I truly felt unnerved - an instant. The rest of it just didn't come off the way writer/director Ari Aster obviously intended, and it ends up feeling like a knock off of Paranormal Activity 3 and Rosemary's Baby once you really think about it.

Toni giving her monologue

Toni Collette is just about the only saving grace of this film. That woman can act! Her yelling monologue at the dinner table is a true standout moment. Unfortunately, her touted Oscar chances were made null and void by the horrific (not in the good way) third act where her character merely becomes an oogie-boogie device - in other words, a creature not a character. I also enjoyed the overall aesthetic of the film, especially the way certain scenes felt like they were unfolding in one of the central character's dioramas. That's about the only nice things I have to say about Hereditary.