Ari Aster's Hereditary: Horror Through Control and Subversion
Ari Aster's first feature film, 'Hereditary' (2018), presents an unconventional horror narrative centered around the Graham family, with Annie (Toni Collette) at the helm as a miniature artist. Her daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro), also expresses her creativity through found objects. The film’s title signifies the passing down of both skills and traumas. As the family faces tragedy, Annie's mental health deteriorates—her father died from starvation and her mother experienced dissociation—merging reality with hallucination. Aster draws inspiration from Kubrick's 'The Shining' and Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby,' crafting an atmosphere of impending dread. A striking visual is Annie's depiction of a pristine house over decayed replicas, representing the weight of lineage. The film concludes with a visionary ending, setting it apart from typical blockbusters.
Key facts
- Ari Aster directed 'Hereditary', released in 2018.
- Toni Collette plays Annie, an artist who makes miniature installations.
- Milly Shapiro plays Charlie, Annie's daughter who assembles art from found objects.
- The film explores hereditary transmission of talents, anxieties, and traumas.
- Annie's father was psychotic and starved to death; her mother had severe dissociation.
- The film includes a double-dream sequence blurring reality and imagination.
- Echoes of Kubrick's 'The Shining' and Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby' are present.
- Annie's earlier artwork shows a pristine house stacked on increasingly decayed versions.
Entities
Artists
- Ari Aster
- Toni Collette
- Milly Shapiro
- Christian Caliandro
Institutions
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
Locations
- Firenze
- Italy