Review: 'Hereditary' redefines psychological horror standards

By Lucy C.

As Halloween came around this year many students at AHS want to get a good scare at the end of Halloween night, and one scary movie they may have watched--or will want to put on tap for next year--is Hereditary.  Although it was released several years ago, it remains one of the best horror movies I have ever seen.

For a little bit of background, Hereditary is a psychological horror movie that came out in 2018. This was made by the Film company A24 that receives high praise for their movies. The movie was an eerie, psychological and terrifying movie that gets people off the edge of their seats. Charlie, a little girl and her family have been grieving due to their grandma named Joan, passing away. Annie, the mother of Charlie, tries to comfort her family during this tough time. Soon, the family would have to endure bizarre occurrences. A past that has not yet been revealed has unlocked mysteries of Annie’s ancestry.  

This horror movie was such an inventive and psychological whirlpool of excitement and thrill. It makes you want to know more even as the person who gets more information on what is really happening and has a great amount of suspense. 

To get a little more specific, firstly the acting was impeccable. I believe it gave realism to the movie and allowed the audience to really feel as if they are in the movie. Hereditary made you feel like you knew what was going to happen but you ended up realizing that you are not ahead as you think you are. The actor for Charlie made it more believable as the way they acted.  Joan, the grandma in this movie, was also a great actor. She presentence herself as if she wasn’t real.

Secondly, this movie had an absolutely great pace as the movie made it anticipate  for the audience. As stated before even as the people who understand what is happening it still becomes a mystery to the viewers. The pace helps with that as it keeps the viewers waiting. It also gives plot twists during the time it takes to reveal what is to occur next. The pace is not too slow or fast to give an audience a perfect taste toward their attention. Pace of the movie is most important for the audience as it reels in the attention of the audience. 

Thirdly, the props as the miniature house in the movie contributes to the story line. There are little figures that represent Joan the grandma and allows visuals as us in the audience to understand what is happening in the story and to give more depth to the story. Some of the houses that are displayed in the movie were real! It adds more excitement to the way it connects to real life. The house is the most crucial part of the movie as it provides more information and gives us an idea of what life was like before their grandma passed away. 

Mariana C., a junior at Airport, states, “I enjoyed Hereditary, throughout the movie I was completely engaged. I love that I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen. I was impressed by how good the actors portrayed their roles. I recommend this movie 100%. It kept me on the edge of my seat with all of the plot twists and jumpscares!

Even other students in another grade also watched and enjoyed Hereditary! Amayiah H., a senior, states, “I love love love hereditary. It’s probably one of the only horror movies that I have zero complaints with. It gave me that unsettling feeling in the best way not going to lie. Also the acting was so good. They did really well with the cast to be honest.” 

Diana Tova, an online reviewer of this movie whose full review can be found on RottenTomatoes.com or SpotlightOnFilm.com, explains that she loves the movie based on three reasons, but mainly for the movement of the camera throughout the film. She also talks about how the movie is more of an original story which she describes is hard to do in horror films. She also talks about the negatives of this film as well as she describes that this movie does not fit in one category and bounces around to different elements. 

Keith Garlington, another online reviewer of Hereditary,  whose full opinion can also be found via RottenTomatoes, specifically praises  Toni Colete,  who plays Annie. He talks about how she is an extraordinary film actor and portrayed her really well in the movie. He also says that the plot was vague as it had fewer details which he believes is a good element as a “better effect.” As the movie pieces all together slowly. He also says that this movie is “genuinely terrifying” and then he goes on to describe how the movie is “discomforting” and will get “deep down under your skin.” He states, overall this is the kind of horror movie that he wants to see more of.

My final review: 10/10 stars.  

Hereditary is what I highly recommend watching. As you are going to miss out on an extraordinary and chilling movie. 

You can watch this movie on Youtube, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV. You can rent and buy from any of these production companies.  

Other movies that you may also want to see if this is up your alley are A24 Films such as X another horror movie.