Scream Stream: What makes Hereditary the most disturbing horror films of all time

Hereditary, released in 2018, has been proven the scariest movie of all time, scientifically. The film brings in reality and supernatural elements in a perfect balance. Owing to that, it became the most disturbing film of all time.

Although Hereditary brings in the aspect of cult, even without it, the movie would have been pretty disturbing. Why, you ask? Look at the title - Hereditary. Keeping that in mind, the makers focus on the tragedy the family goes through, owing to a single entity.

While the cinematography and lighting play a strong role in Hereditary, it is also the powerful story and execution that makes this Ari Aster directorial a scary watch. Ari has not shied away from showing things as they are. She has used gruesome scenes which only take the movie to a new level and give the viewers a real experience. Combined with Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro's acting, this film becomes a must watch.

Small moments lead to the big reveal.

A death took place in the Graham family. While nobody is affected by it as much, soon, you see every family member behaving strangely. The little girl Charlie (Milly), especially, has a lot of new things on her mind. The mother Annie, played by Toni Collette, is witness to a lot of strange events too. She sees her mom in her belongings or the small caricature she builds. These moments make up for the big reveal.

Deathscare in the first half of the film.

One of the lead characters in the movie dies early on, soon after the first death. The moment when that person dies is so real, intense and scary, that it makes your heart skip a beat. Everything following that is what terror looks like.

Jumpscares throughout it.

It is said that the dead don't come back. However, Hereditary isn't a movie that falls in that category. Even when you have just relaxed after an intense scene, there is no respite for you as a viewer. Be rest assured, you will get that jumpscare.

The brilliance of lighting and cinematography.

All horror films become scary because they build up to a moment. Cinematography, obviously, plays a big part in that. Hereditary too has some brilliant cinematography which slowly takes you to a moment and gives you jumpscares at the final destination. Lighting also plays an important role because in most moments, you have to stay focused but at the end moment, you know exactly what is happening with the scene.

Use of prop to show an intense, horror scene.

Peter, played by Alex, becomes witness to an intense moment. The makers have brilliantly used a prop and another element to show two sides of a scene - real and the one that plays with your mind. Of course, they always intended to do the latter and thus, certain actions are put in place.

The Easter Eggs very few could recognise.

Annie meets Joan out-of-the-blue. When she visits her place, she sees a welcome mat with Joanie written on it. It is the most obvious clue people miss, till the very moment they realize Joan and Annie are connected beyond human imagination.

Extreme Satanism combined with fiction.

Not many would know but Satanism is actually a culture followed mainly in the US. There, the believers worship the devil (satan) rather than God. Hereditary uses that concept and takes it much steps further. It is not something that Indians have explored or liked previously. In fact, they are unlikely to be open to the idea even in the future, the way things currently are. Thus, the movie was either shunned by or avoided by the Indians. However, it should not have. You cannot say you truly are a horror fan till you have seen Hereditary. That is the impact the film leaves.