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Hereditary (film)

Hereditary is a 2018 American supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by Ari Aster in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hereditary is a 2018 American supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by Ari Aster in his feature directorial debut. It stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne, and follows a family whose lives unravel after the death of the family matriarch. The film was released in theatres on June 8, 2018.

Plot

The film follows the Graham family as they experience disturbing events after the death of Annie’s mother, Ellen. Annie and her family uncover unsettling secrets about their ancestry while paranormal occurrences intensify.

Production

Hereditary was written and directed by Ari Aster as his first feature film. It was produced as an American English-language horror film and released by A24.

Cast

The principal cast includes Toni Collette as Annie Graham, Alex Wolff as Peter, Milly Shapiro as Charlie, Gabriel Byrne as Steve, and Ann Dowd as Joan.

Themes

Critical descriptions commonly identify grief, trauma, family dysfunction, heredity, and supernatural dread as central themes. The film is often discussed as both psychological horror and supernatural horror.

Key facts

  • Ari Aster made his feature directorial debut with the film.
  • The story centres on Annie Graham, a grieving miniature artist, and her family after the death of her mother.
  • The film explores supernatural and psychological horror elements.
  • Its cast includes Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne.
  • It premiered in 2018 and was released theatrically on June 8, 2018.
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Canadian context

Hereditary is widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical release, home entertainment, and streaming availability over time, and it is frequently discussed in Canadian film and horror coverage; however, no Canada-specific production connection is indicated in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hereditary about?
It follows the Graham family after the death of Annie’s mother, as they uncover disturbing family secrets and experience increasingly frightening supernatural events.
Who directed Hereditary?
Hereditary was written and directed by Ari Aster.
Who stars in Hereditary?
The film stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne.
When was Hereditary released?
It was released in theatres on June 8, 2018.
What genre is Hereditary?
It is generally described as a supernatural psychological horror film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereditary_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, cast, and plot overview.
  2. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/hereditary
    Supports: Release date, runtime, rating, cast, director, and plot summary.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hereditary
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, and release information.
  4. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/hereditary-release-date-news
    Supports: Director, cast, premiere context, and feature-debut status.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7784604/
    Supports: Overview of film genre, themes, and reception.