Hereditary Blu-ray Review

Hereditary" is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio from Lionsgate Films. The film, captured digitally using various Arri models and finished at a 2K DI, exudes a highly stylized visual composition. The meticulous use of color grading emerges prominently, with a brownish-yellow hue pervading many interior scenes and hallucinatory moments awash in cooler blue tones. This deliberate grading enhances more natural scenes, offering depth and vividness, particularly in select outdoor shots. The video maintains very good to excellent levels of fine detail, especially in extreme close-ups, highlighting the cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski's adeptness. However, minor banding is observed in certain scenes but does not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience.

Shot entirely on the Arri Alexa digital camera system, the transfer renders outstanding definition and clarity. Fabric textures, architectural details, and the physical environment are sharply defined; viewers can perceive even the minutest details such as the threading in clothing and the grain of wood from a distance. Facial complexions reveal nuanced textures, capturing every pore and wrinkle with lifelike accuracy. Despite the deliberately restrained contrast and subdued palette, whites remain crisp and daylight sequences, though somewhat lackluster, do not compromise background details. Nighttime blacks are rich and deep, providing strong inky shadows without losing finer detail. The overall palette, characterized by somber tones, retains richly-saturated primaries and vibrant secondary hues that enhance the atmospheric dread the film intends to convey.

Overall, this presentation honors the filmmakers' creative intentions with its dreary, grayish aesthetic while ensuring that the visual impact crucial to horror is not diminished. With its finely detailed imagery and careful handling of color and texture, this transfer stands as a commendable effort likely to satisfy fans of "Hereditary.

The Blu-ray release of "Hereditary" boasts an exceptionally well-crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack that significantly enhances the film’s haunting ambiance. Offering remarkable fidelity, the mix allows for crisp, unimpeded dialogue front and center, ensuring clarity in every dramatic exchange. The superbly designed soundfield immerses the listener in a myriad of atmospheric details, such as the unsettling clucking noise and the eerie flipping pages of Charlie's notebook. These elements are deftly panned through discrete channels, particularly the surround channels, imparting an air of tension that permeates the room. The sound design masterfully integrates washes of low-frequency sound with the film's moody score, effectively heightening unease even in scenes that appear visually benign.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also exhibits a sophisticated use of ambient effects, which dynamically animates the film’s auditory environment. Wind rustles leaves, birds chirp faintly, and distant chatter subtly pull viewers into Hereditary's unnerving world. One of the standout facets is Colin Stetson's grim musical score that pervades all channels, delivering a robust mid-range with exceptional definition. Despite a predominance of dark tones, the score imparts a cohesive warmth and impressive presence to the overall soundstage. Moreover, the mix’s robust low-end frequencies subtly energize visuals with a menacing undertone, all while maintaining a meticulous balance to prevent overwhelming the listener. In sum, this lossless audio mix proficiently augments the film’s atmospheric depth, making it a profoundly engaging auditory experience.

The extras included in the Blu-ray release of "Hereditary" provide insightful behind-the-scenes perspectives and a deeper understanding of the film's thematic focus on family trauma over supernatural elements. “Cursed: The True Nature of Hereditary” offers an engaging Electronic Press Kit (EPK) style feature with writer-director Ari Aster, cast, and crew delving into the movie's production and narrative themes through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The “Selected Deleted Scenes” segment presents roughly 16 minutes of excised content, providing additional context and character exploration not seen in the theatrical cut. Lastly, “Evil in Miniature: Photo Gallery” showcases high-definition images of the intricate models integral to the film’s eerie visual storytelling.

Extras included in this disc:

Cursed: The True Nature of Hereditary: EPK-like piece featuring interviews and BTS footage focusing on family trauma themes.

Selected Deleted Scenes: Collection of deleted scenes.

Evil in Miniature: Photo gallery of film models.

"Hereditary" is an affecting and viscerally unsettling film, masterfully constructed by writer-director Ari Aster. Toni Collette delivers an exceptional performance as Annie Graham, an artist struggling with familial loss and unspoken traumas. Her nuanced portrayal grounds the film's eerie tone, particularly as subtle paranormal occurrences and psychological unraveling fact the narrative's tension. The film also features standout performances from Alex Wolff as Peter, whose harrowing reaction to a family tragedy anchors one of the movie's most striking sequences, and Milly Shapiro as the peculiar Charlie, whose eerie demeanor further complicates the family's dynamic.

This deeply atmospheric horror film stands out with its meticulous blend of foreboding ambiance and shocking moments. Aster displays an adept ability to elicit genuine fear through a combination of detailed character explorations and meticulously crafted suspense sequences. The story’s progression, interspersed with hints of occult elements, emphasizes mood and mounting dread over explicit horror. A key sequence involving a tragic accident shifts the narrative into full horror mode, exemplifying Aster’s talent for blending slow-burn tension with sudden, jarring shocks.

Undoubtedly, "Hereditary" excels not only in chilling psychological terror but also in its technical execution. The cinematography encapsulates the eerie mood, often using long takes and close-ups to capture the raw emotional states of the characters. The narrative's intricacies enrich the viewing experience despite some elements of ambiguity around the plot’s occult aspects. Adding to the film’s depth are the themes of grief and inherited trauma, explored masterfully through the Graham family's disintegration. This artistry in storytelling and performance makes "Hereditary" a noteworthy entry in modern horror cinema.

Hereditary, the feature-length directorial debut of Ari Aster, stands out as a masterful horror film that solidifies Aster's promising talent in the genre. The film follows the story of a family spiraling into madness following a tragic loss, with Toni Collette delivering an exceptional performance that anchors the emotional depth and gravity of the narrative. The supporting cast, particularly Alex Wolff as Peter, also provides strong performances that complement Collette's powerful portrayal.

The Blu-ray presentation of Hereditary is equally impressive. The video quality is stunning, effectively capturing the film's dark and foreboding atmosphere with impeccable clarity. The DTS-HD MA soundtrack further enhances the viewing experience, immersing the audience in a soundscape that heightens suspense and dread. Despite the lack of substantial supplementary materials, the technical merits of the Blu-ray release make it a worthwhile addition for horror enthusiasts who appreciate high-quality presentations.

While Hereditary may not universally be hailed as a modern classic by all, its deeply unsettling mood, coupled with Collette's nuanced performance, ensures it leaves a lasting impression. The film's ability to create and maintain an atmosphere of relentless tension compensates for any shortcomings in development or logic. Overall, Hereditary earns a solid recommendation, particularly for those dedicated to the horror genre.