George H.

******** SPOILERS ******* The Horror genre is a pointless waste of time IMHO unless it delivers the memorably awesome. Fortunately, Hereditary had 1) a virginal sacrifice involving a brightly horrific, uniquely realistic shattered human head. it was complete with buzzy stage one of nature’s reclamation 2) an all too-easy-to-believe 2nd horror layer (naturally flowing from tasking a boy with adult responsibility) 3) exploring the grisly, terrifically acted aftermath that would likely have on family dynamics 4) answering a question we’ve all pondered (perhaps unconsciously), namely, How would an expert in explaining away fantasy himself grapple in extremis w/the fantastical? Answer in this case: the only way possible, really f*g badly. (The police could have only borne witness, thus opening an unclosable plot line, but IRL shrink/father should’ve at least summoned society’s perennial thin, blue boundary layer to chaotic mayhem) 5) mom at her apogee, skittering across the ceiling: appalling! (A star subtracted because overall, Hereditary's not a 5/5 movie.)

The scenery is a big plus and the acting, particularly by the star, is great. So if alcoholic travails and recovery is interesting to you, I can recommend the movie. But it doesn't interest me so at probably an hour in, I cut my losses and slow walked a trivial out run of my own.

NPR's review of this movie is excellent, except for Mr Chang's thumbs up, as the movie dragged on for me. I may have been the only one left in the (small) theater when it ended, which tells you something. And it was a good ending, but that and the sprinkling of magic isn't enough to make up for the characters not having much going for them, or going on. The movie was made with admirable attention to detail and realism but overall it will be too dull for most to be happy having spent 130 minutes with.

As much fun as watching cockroaches get smashed. Forced myself to watch 50min before beating a hasty retreat myself. If you only have the ability to reinforce one brutish, simple concept and scenario, for the love of God, keep it short. Two stars to give great animation its due.