While the infamous pole scene in Hereditary is undeniably shocking, a later moment involving Annie's possession and gruesome death is arguably even more disturbing. Explore the reasons why this scene stands out as the most unsettling in the film.
Hereditary is, without a doubt, one of the most frightening films in recent memory. Since its release in 2018, horror fans have lauded it for its unwavering commitment to the genre. Hereditary takes a slow-burn approach to its horror, but when it delivers scares, it truly hits hard. The scene that instantly comes to mind for many is the infamous pole scene, where the family's 13-year-old daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro), is tragically decapitated by a telephone pole.
It's a jarring image, even for seasoned horror viewers. Children are often portrayed as safe in horror movies, so to see a child meet such a gruesome and unexpected death was shocking and left a lasting impact on audiences. While the pole scene is undoubtedly disturbing, I'd argue that there's another moment in the film that's even more grotesque. The scene where Charlie's decapitated head is discovered in the middle of the road, covered in ants, is a truly nightmarish image. Charlie's death is emotionally the hardest to watch, particularly its aftermath and Annie's (Toni Collette) heart-wrenching sobs upon finding her daughter's body. However, Charlie's death triggers a domino effect of tragic events, culminating in horrifying fates for her remaining loved ones. Steve (Gabriel Byrne), the father, is tragically burned alive while Annie watches in horrified silence. Peter (Alex Wolff), the son, suffers a panic attack at school, smashing his face against his desk and breaking his nose. But the most horrific fate belongs to Annie. After Steve's death, the spirit of Paimon, which has been tormenting the Graham family members, possesses Annie. She begins to chase Peter, lurking in shadows, crawling on ceilings, and repeatedly banging her head against the attic door. Peter is consumed by fear, melancholy, and confusion. His fear of his mother, which was hinted at earlier, becomes a terrifying reality. This escalates to a horrifying climax when Annie enters the attic with Peter. He only realizes this when he hears a sickening squelching sound above him. Looking up, he witnesses his possessed mother using a piano wire to saw back and forth through her own throat, as if playing a violin. Every detail of the gruesome act is shown; the squelching, the tearing flesh, it's pure revulsion. Thankfully, the film cuts away before we see her head detach. Instead, the scene shifts to outside the house, the sound abruptly stops, there's a brief moment of silence, and then the sickening thud and roll of Annie's head hitting the attic floor. Annie's death symbolizes the complete loss of hope in Hereditary. The film begins with the death of Annie's mother, Ellen. Charlie is the only one who seems truly affected by this loss, as she shared a special bond with her grandmother. When Charlie dies, the family is shattered, and Annie desperately tries to hold them together, especially as more unsettling secrets are revealed. Annie learns that Ellen's love for Charlie went beyond the familial, and that Ellen was using Charlie as a vessel for a demonic spirit named Paimon. Annie's desperation to save her family from this very force ultimately leads to their destruction. Her vulnerability makes her an easy target for Paimon, and she succumbs to his influence, becoming a terror to Peter despite her efforts throughout the film to regain his trust. Throughout the film, we yearn for Annie to overcome the curse placed upon her family by Ellen. When she becomes possessed and dies, that hope is extinguished. It's the final, undeniable indication that there is no light left for the audience to cling to. This is why Annie's death is so profoundly disturbing. It's not just the most graphically violent scene in the film, but it also marks the end of the family's last chance for redemption
Hereditary Horror Ari Aster Toni Collette Paimon Charlie Possession Gore Psychological Horror
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