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Updated 3 months ago,January 16, 2025
Spoilers ahead.
Hereditary(2018) is often heralded as one of the most terrifying horror films of its generation.
Its combination of supernatural horror and raw familial drama leaves an indelible mark on viewers.
Hereditary
What setsHereditaryapart is its ability to ground supernatural elements in real human experiences.
The decapitation of Charlie, a shocking and gruesome moment, is only the catalyst for what follows.
The brilliance of this scene lies in its restraint and emotional authenticity.
The horror deepens as we hear Annie discover her daughters body the next morning.
The camera stays with Peter as Annies screams fill the air.
This deliberate choice traps the audience in Peters perspective, amplifying the scenes intensity.
The visuals that follow are hauntingly symbolic.
The sequence culminates in Annie on her hands and knees, wailing that she wants to die.
Her position mirrors her ultimate fate in the films finale, where her headless body bows to Paimon.
What makes this sequence the most disturbing inHereditaryand arguably in horror historyis its realism.
