Ari Aster’s feature directorial debut became one of the most divisive horror films of the decade, traumatizing audiences with its unflinching family tragedy and occult terror.

Sundance Premiere

Hereditary premiered at Sundance in January 2018 to instant acclaim and fear. The film follows the Graham family as they unravel following the death of their secretive grandmother, uncovering a horrifying ancestral curse.

A24 acquired the film and released it in June 2018 to $80 million worldwide—extraordinary for an arthouse horror debut.

Toni Collette’s Performance

Toni Collette delivered one of the decade’s most intense performances as Annie Graham, a mother spiraling into grief and terror. Her dinner table breakdown scene became legendary.

The Academy’s failure to nominate Collette sparked intense backlash and renewed conversations about Oscar bias against horror performances, despite her giving one of 2018’s most acclaimed performances.

”The Scene”

The film’s car scene became one of modern horror’s most shocking moments. The sudden, brutal violence followed by minutes of silent processing traumatized audiences in ways few films achieve.

The scene’s refusal to cut away or provide catharsis made it unforgettable and divisive—some praised its artistic boldness, others found it exploitative.

Elevated Horror Debate

Hereditary became a flashpoint in “elevated horror” debates—whether the term meaningfully described horror engaging with drama/art cinema traditions or was condescending gatekeeping suggesting most horror wasn’t “elevated.”

The film’s slow-burn pacing, dramatic focus, and festival pedigree fit the “elevated horror” label, though Aster rejected the term.

Ending Controversy

The final act’s explicit occult revelation divided audiences. Some found the demonic conspiracy satisfying payoff; others felt it undermined the film’s family tragedy core.

Ari Aster Arrival

The film established Ari Aster as a major horror auteur, leading to Midsommar (2019) and Beau Is Afraid (2023), cementing his reputation for emotionally devastating genre filmmaking.

References: A24 press releases, Box Office Mojo, Sundance Film Festival, Rotten Tomatoes, Variety