Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary follows the Graham family after the death of their secretive grandmother. Annie (Toni Collette), a miniature artist, struggles to cope with her mother's death while her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne) and children Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro) try to maintain normalcy. However, when a tragic accident occurs, the family begins to unravel as they discover sinister secrets about their ancestry and the true nature of their grandmother's legacy.

What makes Hereditary exceptional is Ari Aster's masterful direction and his ability to create an atmosphere of mounting dread through meticulous attention to detail. The film's use of miniatures as both a plot device and visual metaphor creates a sense of the family being manipulated by forces beyond their control. The cinematography, particularly the use of wide shots and slow zooms, creates an unsettling sense of space and perspective. Toni Collette's performance as Annie is a tour de force, capturing the complex emotions of grief, guilt, and growing madness. The film's sound design and score by Colin Stetson contribute significantly to its oppressive atmosphere.

Hereditary has been hailed as a modern masterpiece of horror cinema, redefining the genre through its sophisticated approach to psychological and supernatural horror. The film's exploration of themes like grief, trauma, and the weight of family history resonates deeply with audiences. Its shocking moments and disturbing imagery have become iconic, while its deeper themes about mental illness, family dynamics, and inherited trauma have sparked extensive analysis and discussion. The film's success helped establish Ari Aster as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary horror cinema.