Number 5's Surreal Creepy Film Collection

[zwanzig]

A few years ago when Hereditary (2018) was advertised, I was intrigued but had no expectations. I thought it looked compelling the way somewhat decent and well made horror films like The Conjuring (2013) or Insidious (2010) are. And I know, everyone likes to talk about THAT scene as incredibly jarring and disturbing(you know the one). But in watching it, I was more captivated by the underneath storyline, with this cult and the summoning of the demon Paimon. It felt new and refreshing, even though as I try to describe it, it sounds as rote as Rosemary's Baby. Something about the pieces Ari Aster laid down, the way the framing and music was utilized brought on this new sense of building dread and inescapable fates. Toni Colette is beloved and charismatic and even though some people complained about his performance, I empathized greatly with Alex Wolffe's portrayal. 

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Upon rewatches, it hits me all over again, the most disturbing scene I feel of the movie, the end when Annie is possessed. That whole last 10-20 minutes of the film sticks with you after. But something I realized which was brilliant, in the dinner argument scene, Annie finally bursts out demanding that Peter take responsibility and say he's sorry for what happened. Then much later, a panicked and terrified Peter locks himself in the attic, blubbering anxiously, "I'm sorry, mommy!" Anything he can think of in that desperate moment to calm her murderous rage(he thinks) while on the other side of the attic hatch, a possessed Annie hammers her head on the door in this freakish, supernatural persistence. 

Chills, man.

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And of course, you can't mention one great work by this director without mentioning the other, Midsommar (2019). It didn't affect me as hard but again, the same things that really fascinated me about Hereditary(the sense of deeper story and lore, plus the cultish rituals of the Hårga) and not THAT scene that everyone always talks about (you know the one).

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I really like The Cell - best thing J Lo ever contributed to. I can recommend Tideland (directed by Terry Gilliam) also given your brief. I will also be investigating the films you've mentioned which I'm yet to view - chairs!

Agreed. She was perfect for the role. And they really captured this beautiful surrealist tone for the shared mind sequences.

I do appreciate Terry Gilliam. I'll have to give it a look.