‘Hereditary’ Is Coming to Netflix, and I Still Can’t Get Over This Scene

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  • What Is ‘Hereditary’ About?
  • How Charlie’s Death Continues to Haunt Viewers
  • Toni Collete’s Performance Leads to Other Horrifying Moments in ‘Hereditary’

On January 15, 2025, Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” will make its debut on Netflix, and it’s widely regarded as one of the scariest movie debuts ever recorded. This slow-building psychological thriller initially appears as a compelling family drama but later reveals itself to be a chilling tale of demonic possession deeply rooted in religious rituals. Toni Collette delivers an award-worthy performance, and the movie is filled with shocking and suspenseful moments that will stick with you long after watching.

For those about to watch Hereditary on Netflix for the first time, I can’t stress enough that this movie is not for the casual horror viewer. It’s designed for serious horror enthusiasts who relish tough viewing experiences that test the boundaries of the genre. So, let’s delve into the most unnerving scene in Hereditary.

What Is ‘Hereditary’ About?

Ari Aster was responsible for both writing and directing the highly praised horror film Hereditary, produced by A24. The plot revolves around the Graham family as they struggle with profound grief following the demise of their matriarch, Ellen (played by Pat Barnett Carr). After Ellen’s death, her 13-year-old daughter Annie (Toni Collette) strives to maintain family unity, which has a significant impact on Annie’s own daughter and youngest child, Charlie (Milly Shapiro).

In my perspective as a movie critic, delving into the emotionally charged narrative: As I, Annie, navigate through therapy sessions and sift through Ellen’s past possessions, an escalating storm of pain, sorrow, PTSD, and paranoia grips me tighter than ever. Simultaneously, my husband Steve (portrayed by Gabriel Byrne) learns that Ellen’s grave has been desecrated, yet chooses to withhold this information from me, fearing it would only add to my torment. Craving a moment of respite, I plead with my 16-year-old son Peter to escort Charlie to a party instead. With a heavy heart, Peter eventually consents, which ultimately triggers the film’s most unsettling and graphically violent sequence.

In Hereditary, one misfortune leads to another: Annie’s sorrow over Ellen’s passing pales in comparison to the events that unfold. At a gathering, Peter disregards Charlie, leaving her alone. Unaware, Charlie consumes a walnut-laden cake, which triggers her nut allergy, sending her into a severe anaphylactic reaction.

In a state of confusion and panic, Peter hastily drives Charlie to the hospital in his car. As Charlie leans out the window for some fresh air, Peter narrowly misses hitting a roadkill deer. Suddenly swerving to avoid it, Charlie’s head violently collides with a telephone pole. The chilling and horrifying event remains etched in viewers’ minds for many reasons.

How Charlie’s Death Continues to Haunt Viewers

What’s particularly unsettling about Charlie’s demise in the movie for viewers is the violation of a longstanding rule in horror films – not killing children. Seeing a 13-year-old perish in such a gruesome manner is tough to digest. This taboo has been upheld throughout horror cinema, with only rare exceptions. However, Hereditary breaks this norm, testing the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Additionally, Charlie was the most intimate family member to Ellen, making her passing all the more heartbreaking.

What continues to haunt people about Charlie’s death is Peter’s response. Shocked, speechless, and terrified, Peter picks up Charlie’s headless body, places it in the car, and silently drives home as if nothing extraordinary had occurred. Even more disturbing, Peter says nothing to anyone and retreats to his room, seemingly indifferent to the fact that his 13-year-old sister lost her life so brutally. When Peter hears Annie discover Charlie’s decapitated body in the car the following morning, her audible screams and desperate wails are more chilling than any on-screen imagery.

Later on, when viewers think they’ve been saved from seeing the gruesome aftermath of Charlie’s death, Hereditary cleverly defies expectations again. This is achieved by showing a close-up, up-close and personal, of Charlie’s head in broad daylight hours later, with a horde of flies feasting on the little girl’s decapitated face. The scene is brutally honest, daring, and skillfully cut to send an unavoidable shiver down your spine.

In the film, despite the horrific and shocking nature of Charlie’s death and its taboo aspect, it adds an extra layer of terror because it’s not supernaturally induced. As the story unfolds after Charlie’s demise, Aster subtly hints at a supernatural Satanic theme involving demonic possession. However, Charlie’s death portrays a heart-wrenching family tragedy that could potentially occur to any family, making it all the more relatable and chilling.

Toni Collete’s Performance Leads to Other Horrifying Moments in ‘Hereditary’

It’s Aster who deserves recognition for the skillful magic trick, but it’s Toni Collette who steals the show in one of the most notable Oscar oversights. In Hereditary, what makes it terrifying is that it starts as a typical family drama and gradually turns into an embodiment of pure evil. This transformation enables viewers to empathize with the characters initially, so when the chilling moments arrive, there’s a deep sense of concern and compassion for the Graham family.

While Charlie’s death undoubtedly leaves a lasting impact, it is Annie’s poignant conversation after his demise that remains most haunting and emotionally charged. Toni Collette’s exceptional acting in this scene not only showcases her extraordinary skillset, but also symbolizes the irreversible mental collapse of Annie’s character within the film’s narrative. The raw emotions of grief, anguish, rage, remorse, bitterness, and unvarnished honesty converge at this moment, with Collette’s portrayal elevating Annie to unprecedented heights. It is nearly impossible not to empathize with Annie during the dinner conversation, which serves to heighten the ensuing dread even further.

In the heart of the film Hereditary, the dinner table scene holds significant power, but the specter of childhood death stands as its most chilling aspect. It’s often said that no parent should ever have to endure a child’s death, a haunting motif deeply embedded in Hereditary. After Charlie’s shocking and gruesome passing, Annie becomes consumed with guilt and begins to harbor thoughts of setting Peter on fire while he sleeps. At times, these thoughts seep into reality, leading to yet another heart-wrenching incident as the climax unfolds, offering one suspenseful moment after another.

As “Hereditary” arrives on Netflix, the chilling scene of Charlie’s beheading still sends shivers down the spines of both new and returning viewers. This writer is no exception. Yet, it’s Toni Collette’s portrayal of Annie that brings a touch of humanity to the story, making the otherwise eerie elements even more impactful. Truly, this movie is as unique as it is terrifying. “Hereditary” will be available on Netflix starting January 15, 2025.

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2025-01-05 23:31