The Reel Review
Wow. Wow. Wow. Ari Aster’s dark and oh-so-twisted directorial debut is one that EVERYONE will be talking about for years to come. The dread-filled horror story starts off simply – when the matriarch of a highly dysfunctional family dies, her melancholy descendants begin to decipher cryptic and increasingly disturbing details of their family history. As the story progresses, the unholy mood grows more chilling, with an increasing array of OMG, WTF-did-I-just-see? moments, a disconcerting blend of realism and the surreal that will fill you with dread and despair, and jaw dropping performances by Toni Collette and Alex Wolff (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle). That said, and as shocking as the film is with its well crafted nods to such classics as The Exorcist, The Shining and Rosemary’s Baby, the sum still doesn’t quite live up to its amazing parts. But that ending – wow.
Video & Photo
This movie made me happy for two reasons. First, it was able to accomplish what so many movies strive for- it has a jaw dropping moment and never really let's go. Second, it proves that on the heels of 'A Quiet Place', the horror genre is having a rebirth with really talented people at it's helm. I haven't been scared at the movies in years let alone back to back releases. Hereditary is brilliant. Toni Collette has delivered a performance like that in her entire career. There is surely an Oscar nod in her future. And speaking of Oscars, it will be hard for the awards season to ignore Hereditary and A Quiet Place. We've come a long way when the Academy has to choose which horror film to shine it's love. Cheers to good movie making! The bar has now been set really high; someone please notify Mr.Shyamalan.