UHD Review Hereditary – UHD Review (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

Following the death of their matriarch, we find the Graham family both emotionally and physically isolated. Mother Annie (Toni Collette) recedes into her artistic passion, the creation of miniature dioramas that depict deeply personal perspectives. Son Peter (Alex Wolfe) uses pot to dull his mind and to pick up girls. Daughter Charlie (Newcomer Milly Shapiro) is ostracized because of her looks and quirks. And father Steve (Gabrielle Byrne) seems to retreat into his reading and professional studies.

Annie reflects on the troubles the family has endured during her mother Ellen’s eulogy. Many of the mourners are strangers, and Ellen had private rituals and grievances. The family had been estranged, but reunited after Charlie’s birth and as Ellen got terminally sick. Annie lies to her family about going out to the movies, when she is actually turning to grief...

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[Sam Posten]

Out today!

 

[Sam Posten]

Anyone give this a release day whirl?

 

[Josh Steinberg]

You're far more generous to this film than I felt after watching it. I've never walked out of a theatrical screening in my life, but I came really close on this one. By the time the movie was over, all I could think about was what groceries I wanted to pick up on the store on my way home, and what I wanted to make for dinner. Over the past few years, I've averaged watching over 300 movies per year, and I don't think I've had less fun watching a movie in recent memory than I did on this one.

Suffice to say, I will not be purchasing this disc

That said, if there's anyone who truly loved this movie, I would be interested in better understanding what it was about the movie that appealed to you. I'm curious if it's just not a movie for me or if I missed something somehow that would have made it work better for me.

 

[Malcolm R]

Yeah, I was amazed that this film made so much ($44m domestic, nearly $80m worldwide) given that the Cinemascore was a D+.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I only saw it because a) MoviePass and b) it got outstanding critical reviews from respected publications. I am at a loss as to why top critics thought so highly of it.

 

[Sam Posten]

I only saw it because a) MoviePass and b) it got outstanding critical reviews from respected publications. I am at a loss as to why top critics thought so highly of it.

In a word: Collette. Her performance was wide ranging and meaty. The poor reception from non critics can't be pinned on her. It's in the editing, not even the writing and directing either. The writer/director had a good kernel of an idea but lost it in trying to pace it too long.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I didn't enjoy Toni Collette's performance at all. I think she's a talented actress, but it was just so over the top in a way that was not enjoyable to watch, or even believable to me. But hey, I'm the one person who thinks Winona Ryder gave one of the worst performances ever in Stranger Things, so what do I know?

 

[Malcolm R]

I didn't enjoy Toni Collette's performance at all. I think she's a talented actress, but it was just so over the top in a way that was not enjoyable to watch, or even believable to me. But hey, I'm the one person who thinks Winona Ryder gave one of the worst performances ever in Stranger Things, so what do I know?

I have similar feelings about Collette and Ryder, and also Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I have similar feelings about Collette and Ryder, and also Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story.

I also am not a big fan of Paulson's work in that show (or several other projects for that matter).

 

[Sam Posten]

Interesting takes. I liked her performance, it echoed a lot of what I have seen in people with legit dementia and other illnesses.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

But her character doesn't have dementia.

 

[Sam Posten]

Are you sure?

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I don't believe it was ever stated in the film or implied that the Collette character had dementia; I could be wrong, but I don't recall that being a plot point.

 

[JQuintana]

I cheated and looked at Wikipedia and one plot point supposedly is she tells someone that some of her family had mental illness issues.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Right. I thought that was misdirection. We're meant to believe that the grandmother who died before the film began, and Collette's daughter, had some kind of mental illness, but...

Spoiler

the ending reveals that it's a story of demonic possession - so no one was mentally ill, it was that they were possessed and members of a cult that worshipped that demon who did the possessions

 

[Malcolm R]

Another reason not to bother with this film, if the resolution is that ambiguous.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Probably the worst movie I have ever seen. And I've seen some stinkers.

 

[Joe Bernardi]

Metacritic gave this an 87. I will no longer believe Metacritic. I want my 2 hours and 7 minutes back!

 

[Tino]

Well I Just saw it and I thought it was terrific.

Not really scary but more creepy with terrific performances. Especially Toni Colletes.

I wasn’t bored for a minute. I loved the sense of dread throughout and I really dug the story and especially the ending.

I was really expecting to hate it based on Josh’s opinion since we usually agree on most films. Gotta say Josh ( and Adam) we’re on opposite ends on this one.

One of the better “horror” films I’ve seen in a long time.

Think I’ll go out and buy the 4K tomorrow.