Hereditary Ending Explained, What does the Ending of Hereditary Mean?
by Subhashree M | Updated Mar 13, 2023
Hereditary Wiki
In 2018, Ari Aster made his feature directorial debut with the American psychological horror film Hereditary, which starred Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, and Gabriel Byrne as members of a family who are plagued by a mysterious presence after their grandmother's death. A24, who had noticed Aster's short film work, greenlit the movie as his first feature film. Aster envisioned the film as a family drama with two distinct halves, and most indoor scenes were shot on custom-built sets on a soundstage in Utah to give it a dollhouse aesthetic. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018 and was theatrically released in the United States in June of the same year. It received critical acclaim, particularly for Collette's performance, the musical score, visual style, and Aster's direction, and became A24's highest-grossing film worldwide at the time, making over $82 million on a $10 million budget.
As a student at the American Film Institute, Aster scripted and directed two provocative short films, The Strange Thing About the Johnsons and Munchausen, which caught the attention of A24. When pitching Hereditary, Aster was careful not to label it as a horror film, instead describing it as a family tragedy. He incorporated themes of domestic dramas and drew inspiration from works like Carrie and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. According to Aster, the film is two halves that are "completely inextricable from each other," beginning as a family tragedy and gradually turning into a full-bore nightmare. The script was loosely based on a real-life incident in Marietta, Georgia, in 2004, in which John Kemper Hutcherson accidentally decapitated his childhood friend, Frankie Brohm, on a telephone pole support wire while driving drunk. Hutcherson then drove home with Brohm's headless corpse in the car and fell asleep until a passerby discovered the body the next morning. Aster has never commented on the connection between the incident and the film.
Hereditary Ending Explained
Ari Aster's Hereditary is a complex and deeply unsettling film that blends mythology and the characters' deteriorating mental state. The supernatural element of the story is crucial to the twisted ending, which we'll try to understand shortly. To recap, Peter, now possessed by Paimon, one of the kings of hell, is worshipped by a cult led by his grandmother, dubbed "Queen Leigh," with Joan as her top aide. Peter's decapitated parents are positioned in a worshipful manner, and Peter, now known as Charlie due to his sister's spirit possessing him, is informed that Paimon now reigns after the destruction of the trinity. The cult reveres Paimon with the phrase "Hail Paimon!"The film's title, Hereditary, is the most significant clue.
It implies that there is something unique about the family bloodline. Although the title also refers to mental illness, there is a specific aspect of Leigh's bloodline that must be present to summon Paimon. Paimon will provide riches to his followers, but only if he possesses a male host. Annie, portrayed by Toni Collette, has always attempted to keep her mother's influence away from the family, especially the males. She even attempted to abort Peter and did not allow her mother to touch him. This is reminiscent of Annie's late brother's "schizophrenia," who claimed that their mother was attempting to place people inside of him. Later, we discover that Paimon requires a male host, which is why Annie was comfortable with her grandmother being close to Charlie.
Paimon ultimately inhabits Charlie's body, but to bestow riches, Paimon still requires a male host of Leigh's bloodline. This is why Annie's husband, Steve (Gabriel Byrne), is not targeted. After Charlie's death, Joan seizes the opportunity to transfer Paimon from Charlie to Peter during a séance. Paimon uses his influence to burn Steve and make Annie decapitate herself, but the cult still requires a host for the demon. When Peter jumps out the window, Charlie/Paimon takes advantage of this and enters his body. The cult succeeds, and Peter is left to live the rest of his life as a host for the demon that killed his family.
It's the happy ending of the year, sarcastically speaking.However, the real message of Hereditary is about the family's scars, which they cannot escape, such as mental illness or significant tragedy. Aster uses the supernatural elements to emphasize what could have been conveyed in a story without supernatural influence. The death of a family member or the effects of a family member's mental illness can permeate our lives, as shown in the movie. Even without the Paimon aspect, Hereditary remains a profoundly somber and unsettling film about a family decaying through no fault of their own. This is the true horror of Hereditary.
What does the ending of Hereditary mean?
In "Hereditary," Paimon is summoned at the end of the movie, and it is uncovered that Peter is the one who is meant to serve as Paimon's vessel - a human host for Paimon's manifestation on Earth. After enduring tremendous adversity, Peter is revealed to be the central character in the film's twisted tale.
In recent years, the horror genre has experienced a renaissance, with films showcasing unprecedented quality and depth. Instead of relying on rehashing old horror tropes, filmmakers have been pushing the boundaries of the genre with thought-provoking ideas and exceptional acting performances. Jordan Peele's 2017 horror film "Get Out" tackled issues of racism and subverted the white survivor trope, and Ari Aster's "Hereditary" did the same in a terrifying and unsettling way.Produced by A24, "Hereditary" tells the story of the Graham family, who are haunted by a sinister force following the death of their matriarch, Ellen.
The film, released in June 2018, has been lauded as one of the best films of the year, with Rolling Stone dubbing it the "scariest film." The film's bone-chilling performances, precise direction, tight cinematography, and masterful score create an atmospheric experience that is both gripping and terrifying.The film 'Hereditary' features the talented Toni Collette as Annie Graham, who portrays an emotionally desolate character that is brought to life through her exceptional performance.
Gabriel Byrne's portrayal of Steve Graham, the level-headed husband, and Alex Wolff's performance as Peter Graham, the 16-year-old son struggling with guilt, complement Toni's character. Milly Shapiro also delivers a terrifying performance as Charlie Graham, who instills fear and horror in her portrayal.Director Ari Aster's shrewdness is evident in the brilliant cinematography by Pawel Pogorzelski, who visually captures the dark and gloomy ambiance of the film, and the chilling score by Colin Stetson. The interweaving themes and complex ending of 'Hereditary' have garnered attention and sparked multiple interpretations.In this article, the author delves into the complex narrative structure of 'Hereditary' and analyzes various themes and characters. The film's intricate ending is explored, and different perspectives on the narrative are discussed. Overall, 'Hereditary' is a horror masterpiece that takes the viewer on a thrilling ride.
Hereditary Ending Song
The ending song of "Hereditary" is called "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell. The song's lyrics describe the idea of seeing things from different perspectives, both positive and negative. This theme ties into the movie's exploration of family trauma and the different ways that it can affect individuals. The song plays during the final scene of the movie, which shows Peter sitting alone in his treehouse. He appears to be accepting his fate as Paimon's host, and the camera pans out to show a treehouse filled with cult members who are celebrating his possession. The melancholy tone of the song adds to the sense of sadness and dread that permeates the scene, as we realize that Peter's life has been irrevocably altered by the events of the film.Overall, the choice of "Both Sides, Now" as the ending song is a poignant and fitting way to conclude the film. It captures the complex emotions of the story and adds an additional layer of depth to the movie's exploration of family dynamics, trauma, and horror.
Hereditary Movie Plot
The narrative of 'Hereditary' follows Annie Graham, a miniature artist, as she navigates through the trauma and supernatural events that haunt her family after the death of her secretive mother, Ellen Leigh. The family faces inexplicable terrifying experiences, including the brutal death of Charlie, which causes tension and guilt between Peter and Annie. Annie turns to a support group and befriends Joan, who teaches her how to perform a séance to communicate with Charlie.
However, Annie's attempts to communicate with Charlie go wrong, and she discovers disturbing information about a demon named Paimon.As the narrative unfolds, the themes of grief, trauma, and family dysfunction are explored, with each character dealing with their own internal struggles. Annie's troubled relationship with her mother and guilt over Charlie's death lead her down a dangerous path. Peter's guilt and trauma from the accident cause him to spiral out of control, while Steve tries to keep the family together but ultimately fails.
The ending of the film sees Peter becoming possessed by Paimon, with the cult members bowing to him as their new leader. The film's complex narrative structure and multiple interpretations have sparked discussions about the nature of evil and the power of family bonds.Overall, 'Hereditary' is a horror masterpiece that delves into complex themes and characters, delivering a chilling and unforgettable experience for the viewer.
Hereditary Ending Explained - FAQs
Paimon is a demon mentioned in the Lesser Key of Solomon, a 17th-century grimoire, as one of the demons that can be summoned. In 'Hereditary', Paimon is the demon that the cult members worship and try to bring into the body of a male host, which ends up being Peter.
Annie becomes possessed by Paimon after attempting to stop him from entering Peter's body. She is the one who beheads herself with a piano wire in the final scene, fulfilling the cult's prophecy and allowing Paimon to fully inhabit Peter's body.
The cult members believe that Paimon's arrival in a male host will grant him great power and riches, and they are devoted to serving him. They see Peter as the perfect vessel for Paimon and go to great lengths to ensure that he becomes possessed.