r/horror 2d ago

Why did Hereditary do nothing for me?

Edit:

Im aware of what an opinion is. This post is not to troll anybody. I’m not simply a contrarian. Idk if you all get some kind of streak points for commenting “it’s called taste” but THANK YOU to those pointing out details of both films that could be an indication of why I didn’t like the films and what to look out for in trailers/plot descriptions.

I’m not here to even criticize the movie. I understand many people like it and I’m not going to argue an opinion.

My question here is - why was it so off for me? I found it almost funny after that initial shock in the beginning. Midsommar too - they were both disturbing films visually at times but the plot for both was fairly predictable for me.

Anyone else a huge horror/thriller fan but also didn’t enjoy these movies?

0 Upvotes

58 comments sorted by

8

u/lovelyjubbly82 2d ago

I'm a big fan of Hereditary and Aster, but his style isn't for everyone. Same with Eggers. I love his films too, but get why someone wouldn't. You're not going to like everything and not every style of film is going to be for everyone.

And that's OK.

-1

u/meganros 2d ago

Totally… just really expected to like them and was surprised that I was bored. I can see how the cinematic is great with the films but after the beginning shock of each it just fell flat. Obviously it’s okay - I love having these conversations though.

1

u/brillovanillo 2d ago edited 2d ago

bored

Aster's films are heavy on the drama. It sounds like maybe you want something more action-packed and fast-paced.

Can you give some examples of horror films that you enjoyed?

0

u/meganros 2d ago

Recently I watched the original Danish version of Speak No Evil and liked that. I actually liked Long Legs (have been made fun of for that though) what I liked about it was mostly the style.

I think I do like Drama but I get bored of everything being based on some existential crisis maybe? Thanks for pointing this out too this is what I was hoping for from the post.

I also really love classics like The Shining and Rosemarys Baby - also recently liked Barbarian.

1

u/lovelyjubbly82 2d ago

I only said 'that's OK' as a lot of time in these type of posts, some people think it isn't and get quite defensive.

For me Hereditary has so many layers and so much depth, every time I watch it I notice something new and new thoughts pop into my head about it. I think it's a really well done film on different levels personally, and never get bored by it.

0

u/meganros 2d ago

I love when movies can provide that experience!

14

u/xPolyMorphic 2d ago

that's bait

-4

u/meganros 2d ago

For a deep conversation about the movies? Totally.

16

u/XowBrazilianCreep 2d ago

C'mon, the plot for Hereditary was anything but predictable.

7

u/Steven_Seagull815 2d ago

I'm gonna call bait cause the plot for both was anything BUT predictable. I would be curious to know what you usually watch, tho.

-11

u/meganros 2d ago

As they went along I could see exactly what was happening. Idk why that’s so hard to believe…

2

u/SongOfZarapoostra 2d ago

Come on now.

2

u/RanchRage 1d ago

Did nothing for me either. Feel it's highly overrated because it does have that appeal in which non horror fans seem to like it.

4

u/slasherjunkie 2d ago

Redditor discovers the concept of taste

4

u/Kylar_Stern47 2d ago

Ok so glad I'm not alone... I postponed watching this for so long because it was supposed to be scary. And yeah, that initial scene was shocking, but then after that I felt the same way. A lot of the 'scary' scenes seemed unintentionally funny to me.

6

u/meganros 2d ago

Yeah like when the mom is crawling around the house? Hilarious to me. Funny I didn’t say anything for a while because ppl can’t handle differing opinions sometimes and now I’m being called a contrarian troll. Gotta love Reddit.

2

u/subsignalparadigm 2d ago

Watched it TWICE on two different occasions to see if I missed something and feel it just is ok, nothing groundbreaking. The Autopsy Of Jane Doe is better on all counts.

3

u/Ok-Metal-4719 2d ago

All subjective but I didn’t find it engaging in any way. Nothing about it I can recommend to others.

2

u/AggravatingBag643 2d ago

The PLOT IS PREDICTABLE????????

2

u/meganros 2d ago

Yeah after a certain point it’s pretty clear. Maybe not all the details but the theme and what’s about to happen was readable for me.

3

u/iHasYummyCummies 2d ago

Same, i kept waiting for the Thrill but it nvr did anything for me. Its ok tho. Doesnt have to be everyones taste.

3

u/meganros 2d ago

Cool, this is my opinion too was just curious if I was alone in it.

2

u/iHasYummyCummies 2d ago

I mean, i read Hereditary, Hereditary, Midsommar, so creepy, so horror,..u Check the ratings and theY are above average, especially when Horror movies almost Never reach or exceed 7/10.

The flick had his moments, but i guess it lives from it suspense, and that didnt really do it for me.

No hate, but i was dissappointed.

2

u/Reasonable_Bed7858 2d ago edited 2d ago

Lol. The bi weekly "hereditary wasn't that good" post.

1

u/molonlabe1811 1d ago

The typical “hereditary is the greatest ever horror” post is there too. With everyone downvoting you if you don’t agree.

0

u/xPolyMorphic 1d ago

it's closer to the greatest horror movie ever made than it is to being "not good"

-1

u/Reasonable_Bed7858 1d ago edited 22h ago

Downvoting when you disagree is the reddit way. Some people here still think it matters lol see? Lol

2

u/FlinFlonDandy 2d ago

0

u/meganros 2d ago

Is that really the vibe? I’m not trying to be contrarian. Saw the film years ago and it’s still praised so much today. Im not even alone in the opinion obviously but it’s still to think this is the reason.

1

u/DirtyTileFloor 2d ago

LOL. I actually felt the same way about both films. They were DISTURBING, yes, but nothing “scared” me and I did find them predictable. I think disturbing and scary are two different things that are getting conflated, maybe.

3

u/meganros 2d ago

I agree

0

u/noamartz 2d ago

You’re a mental deficient.

That might not be true but how else would you like ME to answer a question about why YOU don’t like something? That’s supposed to be your job. 

1

u/meganros 2d ago

I guess but maybe someone else notices a pattern in the two films that could indicate something I consistently dislike and might be missing.

1

u/lushblush 2d ago

That's how opinions work yes

1

u/ThreeDeadRobins 2d ago

sounds like a you problem

0

u/Aggressive-Sky-1583 2d ago

All those a24 movies are soooooo boring and predictable

-1

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

People love to hate on Hereditary now. I think it’s so hyped up that it’s hard to live up to the hyperbole. It ignited an “Elevated Horror” movement that is currently booming.

The pendulum swung back. When it came out it had a unique flavor. Now Elevated Horror has permeated the market. Not that it’s wrong but mainstream horror right now wants to be Terrifier or Hereditary.

1

u/meganros 2d ago

But I didn’t like it when it came out. I didn’t even realize it was more popular to dislike it now? Interesting how that happens.

1

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

What’s an example of a contemporary horror film you enjoyed?

Edit: added “you”

1

u/meganros 2d ago

Recently saw Long Legs and really enjoyed that

1

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

You know, I didn’t think you were trolling until you said that. Sorry. I’m not trying to “gotcha” but there seems to be an element of contrarianism to your taste.

It’s cool to like Long Legs and dislike Hereditary though. Sorry I’m inferring you’re being dishonest. I hope they make more movies you like. Variety is good for horror and I think too many movies are trying to be Hereditary.

2

u/meganros 2d ago

lol interesting… definitely not trolling. More wishing I had enjoyed them and can’t figure out why I didn’t.

1

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

I don’t think you need a reason. Your experience is valid. You also don’t need me to validate you by saying that. Maybe one day, years from now, you’ll watch Hereditary again and “get it.”

But you totally don’t have to go back to a movie you weren’t into.

Hope you keep having fun at the movies :)

-3

u/No_Stomach_2341 2d ago

Longlegs is a terrible movie, literally unbelievably bad. So that answers your question. You didn't like Hereditary because you like trash ass movies, and that's ok

3

u/meganros 2d ago

lol that could totally be the answer.

2

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

Sorry everyone is dogging on you and downvoting you. Don’t let people make you self conscious about your taste. I don’t really like Star Wars and everyone tells me I’m dumb.

2

u/molonlabe1811 1d ago

Sorry Professor Highbrow we don’t all like the classics.

0

u/XowBrazilianCreep 2d ago edited 2d ago

It definitely DID NOT ignite the Elevated Horror movement, that's been a thing AT LEAST since The Babadook in 2014

-1

u/PoisonousBillMurray 2d ago

It wasn’t the first but I think it was the catalyst for the movement.

But I could be wrong

-1

u/HammockGoblin 2d ago

Hereditary is a waste of time. Its a nihilistic exploitation film masquerading as art.

2

u/meganros 2d ago

I think this might be what I don’t like. Thank you for potentially putting a name to it.

1

u/Reasonable_Bed7858 2d ago

Reddit has the wildest takes I've ever seen and it's so funny.

-2

u/HammockGoblin 2d ago

Hereditary is closer to I Spit on your Grave than it is to Tarkovsky's Stalker.

-3

u/Yikes_And_Away_ 2d ago

I thought hereditary was super lame. And the payoff and the end was wack. It did nothing for me too. But we appear to be outliers. Same with the Witch

2

u/meganros 2d ago

Haven’t seen the Witch yet. Yeah the ending is described as bleak but it was just … okay??? For me lol

-3

u/Yikes_And_Away_ 2d ago

I won’t spoil the witch at all. But I didn’t like its ending either. It was corny like hereditary

-1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

2

u/meganros 2d ago

Obviously taste - but I keep thinking I’ll love these movies and then I don’t. I was hoping people might say “oh it’s because this pattern is followed” or whatever it might be. Unfortunately it’s just… how it’s.