Hereditary (2018): Creepy, Atmospheric Horror with a Focus on Domestic Spaces
Meta Description: Explore how “Hereditary” masterfully crafts horror through domestic spaces, creating an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after viewing.
—
Ari Aster’s “Hereditary,” released in 2018, stands as a significant entry in the horror genre, not merely for its unsettling narrative but for its unique approach to domestic spaces. The film intricately weaves a tale of grief, family dynamics, and the supernatural, all set against the backdrop of a seemingly ordinary home. This article delves into how “Hereditary” utilizes its domestic environment to amplify its horror, creating an atmosphere that resonates deeply with viewers.
The Domestic Setting: A Familiar Ground
At first glance, the Graham family home appears to be a typical suburban dwelling. It is a space filled with personal artifacts, family photographs, and the remnants of a life once lived. However, as the film progresses, this familiar setting transforms into a character of its own, reflecting the family’s unraveling dynamics and the horror that unfolds within its walls.
The film opens with a funeral scene, establishing a somber tone. The house, with its dimly lit rooms and narrow hallways, immediately evokes a sense of claustrophobia. This atmosphere is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of the story. The home’s layout, with its hidden corners and shadowy spaces, mirrors the family’s secrets and internal conflicts. Aster’s choice to keep the horror rooted in a domestic space makes the events feel all the more real and relatable.
The Influence of Grief on Domestic Spaces
Grief plays a pivotal role in “Hereditary,” influencing the characters’ interactions and the atmosphere of the home. Following the death of the family matriarch, Ellen, the Graham family grapples with their loss in different ways. Annie, played by Toni Collette, becomes increasingly isolated, spending hours in her art studio, which is filled with unsettling miniature dioramas that reflect her inner turmoil. This space is not just a creative outlet; it becomes a sanctuary for her grief, echoing her mental state.
The studio itself is a microcosm of the family’s disintegration. The meticulous attention to detail in Annie’s art serves as a stark contrast to the chaos that envelops her life. The viewer can sense the weight of her sorrow in the cramped, cluttered space, which becomes a breeding ground for her descent into despair. Aster effectively uses this domestic setting to illustrate how grief can distort perception and influence behavior, creating an unsettling atmosphere that permeates the home.
The Role of Children in Domestic Horror
The film’s focus on children, particularly Charlie and Peter, adds another layer of complexity to the domestic horror. Charlie, the youngest, exhibits peculiar behavior, often retreating to her own world. Her connection to the supernatural is hinted at through her fascination with strange objects and her unsettling interactions with the family’s deceased grandmother. The attic, a dark and dusty space filled with remnants of the past, becomes a significant location where Charlie’s character develops. It is here that she discovers her grandmother’s belongings, further intertwining her fate with the family’s dark legacy.
Peter, the older brother, struggles with the expectations placed upon him by his family. His relationship with the home is fraught with tension, particularly in scenes where he tries to escape the suffocating atmosphere created by his mother’s grief. The domestic space becomes a battleground for Peter’s internal conflict, reflecting his desire for independence while being tethered to the family’s tragic history. The claustrophobic nature of the home amplifies his feelings of entrapment, making the horror feel personal and immediate.
The Use of Space and Composition
Ari Aster’s meticulous attention to space and composition enhances the film’s eerie atmosphere. The camera often lingers on the home’s architecture, highlighting its labyrinthine layout and the interplay of light and shadow. For instance, the use of wide shots reveals the isolation of the family within their home, emphasizing their emotional distance from each other. This visual storytelling reinforces the idea that the domestic space, while familiar, is fraught with tension and unease.
One notable scene occurs during a family dinner, where the camera captures the awkwardness and unspoken resentment among the family members. The dining room, typically a space for connection, becomes a site of confrontation, with the characters’ body language and expressions conveying their inner turmoil. The claustrophobic framing of the scene amplifies the discomfort, making the viewer acutely aware of the strained relationships that define the family dynamic.
The Supernatural and the Domestic Sphere
As the narrative unfolds, the supernatural elements of “Hereditary” seep into the domestic space, blurring the lines between reality and the uncanny. The presence of the occult, tied to the family’s lineage, manifests in subtle yet disturbing ways. The attic, once a storage space for forgotten memories, transforms into a site of horror, housing the remnants of the grandmother’s dark practices.
The film’s climax takes place in the family home, where the domestic space becomes a site of terror. The once-familiar environment is now filled with dread, as the characters confront the consequences of their actions and the weight of their familial legacy. Aster’s choice to keep the horror grounded in the home allows for a more profound exploration of the characters’ psyches, making the supernatural elements feel like an extension of their internal struggles.
The Impact of Sound and Silence
In addition to the visual elements, the sound design in “Hereditary” plays a crucial role in creating an unsettling atmosphere. The film utilizes silence and ambient noise to heighten tension. The creaking of the house, the whisper of the wind, and the distant sounds of the outside world contribute to the feeling of isolation. These auditory cues immerse the viewer in the domestic space, making them acutely aware of the characters’ experiences.
The use of silence is particularly effective in scenes where characters are grappling with their grief. The absence of dialogue amplifies the emotional weight of these moments, allowing the viewer to feel the characters’ pain and confusion. Aster’s deliberate pacing and attention to sound create an atmosphere that is both haunting and immersive, drawing the audience deeper into the domestic horror.
Conclusion: A New Kind of Horror
“Hereditary” redefines the horror genre by grounding its narrative in the complexities of family dynamics and the unsettling nature of domestic spaces. Aster’s masterful use of setting, sound, and character development creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s exploration of grief, isolation, and the supernatural within the confines of a family home resonates with viewers, making it a profound commentary on the nature of horror itself.
In a world where horror often relies on external threats, “Hereditary” invites us to confront the darkness that can exist within our own homes. By focusing on the domestic sphere, Aster crafts a chilling narrative that reminds us that sometimes, the most terrifying experiences arise not from the unknown but from the familiar. As the credits roll, the viewer is left with a haunting sense of unease, a reminder that the true horror often lies within the spaces we call home.