Hereditary [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital]

Warning SPOILERS!!! One of the best horror films of 2018 is HEREDITARY, a nearly indescribable mash-up of supernatural horror and family drama. It also contains some of the most brutal deaths I have seen in a modern-day horror film, five-star performances from everyone in the cast, some weird photography tricks that had me rewinding the film to make sure I saw it correctly, as well as the ugliest child actress I have ever laid eyes on! The film begins with the funeral of the estranged mother of Annie Graham (an exceptional Toni Collette; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1999), where Annie's entire family, which includes husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne; END OF DAYS - 1999), teenage son Peter (a fantastic Alex Wolff; MY FRIEND DAHMER - 2017) and not-quite-right young daughter Charlie (Newcomer Millie Shapiro, who is, to put it simply, hard on the eyes. What's up with her nose???), mourn the passing of Annie's mother, each in their own unusual way. It's quite obvious that Annie doesn't love son Peter as much as she does Charlie (it's explained why in an incredibly hurtful line of dialogue spoken by Annie), but there's something much worse on the horizon. Is it possible that Annie's mother was a witch and she has plans for Peter, even though she's dead? Annie makes a living by creating realistic miniature dioramas, which she fashions down to the most minute of details (check out the opening of the film to see how realistic her dioramas are), which she then displays and sells at at art galleries, She spends more time on them than with her children and we can see it affects them greatly. Peter wants to go to a party with his friends, but Mom makes him take Charlie along. He leaves Charlie alone at the party while he goes off to smoke some pot with a girl he likes, but when Charlie has a piece of chocolate cake, she has some type of allergic reaction and cannot catch her breath. Peter puts her in the car and races to the hospital, but before he gets there, he nearly hits a dog laying in the middle of the road and is forced to swerve off the road, the same time Charlie has her head out the window trying to catch her breath. In an unbelievably brutal scene, Charlie is decapitated at the jawline when her head is smashed against a telephone pole (!). So what does Peter do? Well, he simply drives home and goes to bed (he's in a state of shock). The next morning, we hear Annie scream when she discovers her daughter's headless body in the car. The fact is that we never see her do it, as the scene is played specifically on Peter's face when his mother's screams wake him up, is one of the film's most telling scenes. This film is full of these kind of scenes, which makes it all the more remarkable. While the acting is way above average, it's the direction and photography that got my attention. Directed with a sense of urgency by Ari Aster, whose only other directorial credits are a handful of short films, this is unlike any horror film that came before it and is bound to spawn a bunch of imitators, which couldn't possibly match this film's sense of style. Let me talk about this film's style for a minute: The photography (by Pawel Pogorzelski) plays with light the like I have never seen before, so much so, that I found myself stopping the film, rewinding it and making sure I saw what I saw. Every time there is a trick of the light, something awful and violent happens. The entire film is like living an alternate life in a dream. I really didn't know what to expect, but I found myself jumping out of my seat more than a couple of times. Movies never do that to me, but this one did. That's a testament to this film's effectiveness. I've only revealed 10% of what happens in this film, so be prepared for some major shocks and chills. Let me end this review with this: HEREDITARY is my favorite new film of 2018 and that includes all genres, not just horror. It's guaranteed to put you in a hypnotic trance and plays with your emotions like no other film that came before it. I can't wait to see what Ari Aster does next! A big thumbs-up to everyone involved with this film, from cast to crew. The film runs 127 minutes, but it never seems overlong. And, oh, that ending (it's bound to PO a lot of people, but I found it apt and eerie). If you think modern horror films are spineless and ineffective, may I recommend this film to you? To say I am looking forward to Ari Aster's next film, MIDSOMMAR (2019), is a vast understatement.;

I've waited a long time to watch this movie. After letting the hype die down, it was time to partake in one of the most-talked about horror movies in a long time. Us horror fans don't get many releases that promise real terror and ACTUALLY DELIVER. Hereditary is a perfect title for this movie as it inherits from the many horror films before it (in both acknowledging them but being different). It's also about the inheritances of many things by the characters (loss, grief, problems, stress, love, depression), and subsequently what you inherit by watching it yourself (many of the aforementioned things).It's going to be a LONG time before I watch Hereditary again, and that's a good thing for me. A good horror movie affects you well after it is over, and it definitely has happened for me with Hereditary. This film is going to stick with me for quite awhile before I feel the need to re-experience what it is I watched last night. It is a dread-filled movie that I cannot even begin to put words to without failing your experience prematurely. It's an emotional roller coaster ride, and I felt completely drained after watching it. Whether it was the score or subject material, it definitely gave me the goosebumps in multiple instances just because of how bluntly it's presented to you.I haven't felt this way about a horror film in a long time, and I guess that speaks to this film's greatness. I'd heard it was that good and somewhat failed to believe, so I patiently waited until the time was right. Everyone in this movie is a total delight in playing their part of this nightmarish tale of family and loss. The movie rides the line of mystery throughout, keeping you on your toes even though you can pretty much see a lot of it coming. The nerve-racking feeling that permeates throughout the film is one that isn't created easily, most likely heavily assisted by a shredding score.Ari Aster has done a brilliant job at bringing all of these characters to life. Toni Collette puts on a true masterclass performance as Annie, who the film centers around in varying degrees. The son played by Alex Wolff is wonderful considering the role and what it easily could have resulted in with a bad actor. Everyone in this film was phenomenal and makes it what it is, and I cannot applaud this talented group enough for putting on this terrifying show. You could remove a lot of the horror aspects from this film, and it'd still do some damage to your brain.Watch it with as little research as possible going in and I think you'll have a great time. Horror fans rejoice, for I believe we truly have another modern horror classic in Hereditary. I was hesitant to say it, but it really is an amazing film. It borrows from so many different places and does so many things in its own way. That while it doesn't quite do something that hasn't been done, it does it in a really smart and unique way to make this story so completely terrorizing.The case came in great condition with a slipcover. 4K & Blu-ray copies were included along with a digital copy.

If you've read reviews or movie recommendations suggesting you watch this film, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, the reviews are correct: this might be the most perfect horror film ever created. Not the goriest, not the most violent, but as close to perfection you've ever seen. Second, and this is important: a few scenes have very dark, almost black backgrounds. You will have to turn UP the brightness on your TV to see the important parts (you'll know what I'm talking about after you've seen it). Third, this movie features a LOT of important audio cues that continue to make the movie more terrifying, so pay attention!There are more than a few reviews of this movie on youtube, and rightfully so. I'd heavily recommend watching the 4.5-hour "complete guide" if any of the mythology escapes you. This movie is deep. Every relationship, every character, every mention of a deceased relative, every minor detail is actually important - down to the color of the paint Annie spills in her studio.Props to Ari Aster and A24 for this triumph of moviemaking, to Toni Collette for her masterful portrayal of Annie, and to Millie Shapiro and Alex Wolff for their haunting deliveries. If you enjoy the horror genre, you will absolutely enjoy Hereditary.