Ari Aster's debut movie Hereditary has been one of the most impactful horror movies of the 21st century. It is an unsettling story with shocking moments, building suspense, and some incredible performance that combine for an unforgettable experience.
While it is certainly a unique bit of filmmaking, Aster has highlighted some past movies that helped to influence him when making Hereditary. From the horror elements that loom over the entire story to the equally disturbing family drama within the movie, Aster found inspiration in a lot of different movies that fans of Hereditary should check out.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)
When speaking to Den of Geek, Aster discusses Hereditary's place within the modern trend of "serious" horror movies, like Get Out and It Follows. However, he insisted past horror movies inspired him to deal with subject matter beyond scares and pointed to Invasion of the Body Snatchers as an example of social commentary in the genre.
The 1978 movie is a rare example of a remake that improves on the original. It is a paranoia-filled story of a community gradually taken over by an alien species that is able to make copies of people.
Cries And Whispers (1972)
Speaking to the human nature of the horror story, Aster told The Playlist that he considers Hereditary to be a story about grief and suffering. For that reason, he its to screening Ingmar Bergman's Cries and Whispers for the cast and crew as he felt it was the best movie on that subject.
The movie is set in Sweden during the early 20th century and centers on a woman who is dying of cancer. When she is visited by her two sisters, long-repressed feelings come to the surface in raw and painful ways.
Scenes From A Marriage (1973)
One of the most unique aspects of Hereditary is how the domestic parts of the movie are perhaps the hardest parts to watch. In the interview with The Playlist, Aster commented on how Bergman was so important to him and how another of his movies impacted these aspects of Hereditary.
Some fans might know the recent HBO limited series starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. However, it was initially made by Ingmar Bergman as an intense drama about the love and turmoil within a relationship over the course of several years.
Onibaba (1964)
When speaking to Birth. Movies. Death, Aster itted that he didn't want Hereditary to simply fit into one genre of horror movies but rather pay homage to a number of key subgenres as well. Among those, he specifically referenced the ghost story and pointed to the Japanese movie Onibaba as a standout of that kind.
The movie is set in the 14th century during a civil war. It follows two women who murder warriors and take their possessions to sell them for food. But the arrival of a mysterious samurai brings haunting discoveries.
The Innocents (1961)
Along the same lines of the ghost story influence, Aster told Birth. Movies. Death. that he wanted to make a movie that could fit in the same category as a movie like The Innocents while still telling a wider and different story.
The black-and-white thriller takes place in Victorian England and follows a governess taking care of two orphan children on their estate. But soon after arriving, she becomes convinced spirits are haunting the estate.
The Shining (1980)
There is a feeling of inescapable dread in Hereditary that looms over the entire movie. Aster told Birth. Movies. Death. that the movie that helped to influence that particular atmospheric feel was The Shining.
One of the The Shining stars Jack Nicholson as a man who takes a job as a caretaker of a secluded and closed-down hotel. While staying there with his family, he slowly becomes consumed by the dark spirits residing there.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Along with the supernatural dread that hangs over Hereditary and the family drama at its center, there is also a dark conspiracy of people pulling the strings on this unsuspecting family. In that sense, Aster its to Rosemary's Baby can be found.
The movie follows a couple who moves into a new apartment building. But soon the wife begins to suspect that the new neighbors have sinister plans in the work for them.
Don't Look Now (1973)
Another movie Aster mentioned to Birth. Death. Movies when speaking of Hereditary was the psychological thriller Don't Look Now. The movie also serves as an inspiration for Last Night in Soho and Aster sees it as another terrifying movie that still deals with grief in an effective way.
Don't Look Now stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie as a grieving couple visiting Venice when they begin to witness sightings of their deceased child around the city.
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
When talking to Filmmaker Magazine, Aster said that, though it is not generally seen as a horror movie, Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a movie he kept referencing when making Hereditary and one that he sees as "evil."
The haunting movie follows the titular group of people who come together at a gourmet restaurant which results in some shocking and destructive consequences.
Carrie (1976)
In the same interview with Birth. Movies. Death, Aster spoke of his disappointment with modern horror movies and his desire to make one that would not allow the audience to move on and would stay with them. For him, that movie when he was younger was Brian De Palma's Carrie.
Another Stephen King adaptation, it stars Sissy Spacek as the titular reserved high school girl. As she deals with being teased by her fellow students and mistreated by her overbearing mother, Carrie unlocks some terrifying hidden abilities.
