In rallying my friends to see Ari Aster’s debut feature Hereditary, which has already developed a fearsome reputation as the most traumatically terrifying film to come out in decades, I was reminded of an anecdote from my movie-watching past.
Years ago, myself and my girlfriend of the time, Jen, wanted to spend a quiet evening at home watching a movie. We talked about what movies we wanted to see, or wanted to see again, or loved and wanted the other one to see. What did smart-guy Paul suggest? “Hey! Have you ever seen ‘Requiem for a Dream?’ I love that movie.”
Two hours later, Jen was very upset with me. I learned the hard way that only a twisted fuck like me watches “Requiem” on a pleasant night in.
This feels like that. So I rallied my horror-loving friends to see the movie this Sunday, but I was quick to point out that this didn’t sound like a “fun night out at the movies,” and we may all leave deeply disturbed.
As if we didn’t show up that way.
I had eight takers. Stay tuned for my thoughts.
Have you seen Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster? Was it really that horrifying?