FilmSnobReviews

Title: Hereditary
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Ari Aster
Starring: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne
Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

What It Is: Annie’s (Collette) mother has just passed away. Just as this is happening a strange force is taking up residence in their home. With her skeptical husband Steve (Byrne), an unruly son named Peter (Alex Wolff) and oddball daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro). All of this as Annie starts to lose grip with the sanity she once took for granted. But what is this sinister force? Annie’s familial lines may hold the key and so might her now-deceased mother’s past.

What We Think: Aster forms what is, and I can confidently say this, perhaps the scariest film of 2018. Not only that but Toni Collette gives us all a lesson in exactly how to act like you’re losing your mind. Alex Wolff BRINGS it. His performance is absolutely his best ever. Ari Aster’s script is a delicate one. Not in content but in the balance needed not to tip its hand. I think when coupled with Aster’s wonderful eye behind the lens it crafts an intriguing film who’s twists and turns seem to be both unexpected and wonderful. Milly Shapiro is quite unsettling in her role, a huge showing from her as well.

Our Grade: A-, Do I recommend this one? Are you nuts? Of course, I do! It is one of the best films of 2018! Anyone who knows me knows I am not a fan of horror films. But when a film is well made, unpredictable and features acting and writing like this its genre doesn’t matter. Whatever Aster wants to do next I will certainly be waiting for. I’m sure it’ll be good! This one has all the right thrills in exactly the right places. I wanna see Toni Collette come Oscar time for this exact film!