The 2018 horror movie “Hereditary,” directed by Ari Aster, is not only recognized for its chilling storyline but also for its captivating filming locations. The film marked Aster’s feature directorial debut and quickly garnered attention for its unique blend of psychological and supernatural elements.
The Graham family’s haunting tale is portrayed against a backdrop that contributes heavily to the film’s tense atmosphere. Do you want to know where was Hereditary filmed?
“Hereditary” was primarily shot in Utah, utilizing the majestic mountain ranges and desert landscapes to amplify the film’s ominous tone.
Key locations included the urban settings of Salt Lake City and the residential areas of Park City and Sandy.
The natural beauty of Utah played a significant role, framing the Graham family’s disturbing experiences within an environment that’s both expansive and claustrophobic. This echoes the film’s themes of hereditary curses and the inescapability of fate.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- “Hereditary” is a 2018 horror film directed by Ari Aster
- The film was mainly shot in Utah, across multiple locations
- The natural landscape of Utah enhances the film’s eerie atmosphere
Origins and Development
When diving into the story behind “Hereditary,” it’s crucial to recognize the creative mind of Ari Aster and the carefully selected ensemble that brought the film to life.
This section peels back the curtain to show how “Hereditary” transformed from a concept into a chilling cinematic experience that delves into the depths of grief and the paranormal.
Conceptualization by Ari Aster
Ari Aster’s journey into the unsettling narrative of “Hereditary” started well before the cameras rolled. The writer and director carried a vision of a horror story that would double as a family drama, drawing audiences into a world where supernatural horror weaves seamlessly with the raw emotions of grief and trauma.
His penchant for horror, seen in his earlier works, laid the groundwork for this full-length venture.
Casting Insights
To give life to “Hereditary’s” troubled characters, a talented cast was meticulously chosen.
Toni Collette’s performance as the family matriarch driven to the edge by loss and eerie occurrences is poignant and intense.
Alongside her, Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro portray her children, each grappling with the fallout of their grandmother’s death in their own unsettling ways.
Gabriel Byrne, as the stoic father, and Ann Dowd, whose role adds to the mysterious fabric of the film, round out the casting, ensuring a rollercoaster of emotions for viewers.
The ensemble’s synergy elevated the script to new heights, delivering a genuine sense of unease that haunts viewers well beyond the screen.
Primary Filming Locations
The horror film Hereditary, known for its chilling atmosphere, extensively utilized the diverse landscapes of Utah for its primary filming locations. They captured on film the natural beauty and urban scenes that so effectively set the mood for this unsettling story. Let’s see where was Hereditary filmed.
Utah’s Natural Backdrop
Utah served as a stunning canvas for Hereditary, providing a range of backdrops from the haunting expanses of Park City to the rugged scenery that surrounds the area.
These natural settings contributed to the film’s tense and eerie ambiance, making the viewers feel as if they were alongside the characters in their isolated struggles.
Urban Settings in Utah
Alongside the state’s vast wilderness, key urban areas in Utah played a critical role in Hereditary.
Scenes were shot in Salt Lake City and Sandy, depicting familiar environments twisted into something unnerving.
West High School, a location within Salt Lake City, was featured as a principal location, grounding the supernatural elements of the story in a mundane, relatable setting.
Moreover, Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy provided a pivotal setting, enhancing the film’s somber themes with its somber atmosphere.
Utah’s versatility as a filming destination is truly showcased through these urban settings.
The Graham Family Saga
In “Hereditary,” the Graham family’s story is a vivid tableau of personal trauma and supernatural horror, with Utah’s landscape providing the perfect backdrop for this harrowing tale. The family’s complex dynamics and struggle with grief serve as crucial elements in driving the chilling narrative.
Character Dynamics
The Graham family, consisting of Annie, Steve, Peter, and Charlie, are at the heart of this psychological thriller.
Annie, played convincingly by Toni Collette, is an artist who channels her emotions into miniature dioramas, capturing the frayed edges of her family’s life.
Her daughter, Charlie, embodies an unsettling presence, with eccentricities that suggest all is not right.
Peter, the teenage son, navigates a fraught relationship with his mother, burdened by the heavy fog of dread that the family’s secrets cast over them.
Steve, the quiet patriarch, attempts to maintain stability as the supernatural and familial tension escalates.
Annie’s portrayal as a mother engulfed in her grief showcases a raw and magnetic performance, delivering an intense exploration of the cracks within the Graham family.
Their interactions encapsulate the heart of family drama — a blend of love, guilt, and the unsaid, making their descent into chaos all the more palpable.
Portraying Grief and Dysfunction
The manifestation of grief in “Hereditary” is far from the stages of bereavement we might expect. It’s visceral, almost a character of its own, as the Graham family grapples with the loss of their secretive grandmother.
As secrets unravel, so does the semblance of their sanity, revealing the deep-seated dysfunction that courses through their lineage.
Each family member becomes mired in a web of psychological distress, from Annie’s spiraling sense of guilt and desperation to Peter’s overwhelming sense of disconnection from his surroundings.
The dread that fills their home is more than just an eerie atmosphere; it is the essence of a grieving family besieged by forces both internal and otherworldly.
The film dissects these heavy themes without sterilizing them for comfort, instead, it opts for a sympathetic yet stark depiction of a family caught in the throes of a grief that devours.
Release and Reception
In 2018, the captivating and unsettling horror film “Hereditary” found its way to audiences. Produced by the indie powerhouse A24, this film casts an unshakable aura unique to the horror genre.
Unveiling at Sundance
Hereditary made its chilling debut at the Sundance Film Festival, a hub for independent cinema where films vie for critical attention. The festival is known as a launching pad, where promising films often gain momentum before reaching a wider audience.
Box Office and Reviews
After captivating the Sundance crowd, Hereditary transitioned to theaters, where it garnered an impressive box office reception.
This A24 film skillfully threaded the needle of artistic integrity and commercial success, securing its place in the hearts of horror aficionados.
Critics and audiences alike reviewed the film favorably, often praising it for revitalizing the horror genre with its psychological depth and compelling storytelling.
Technical Aspects and Artistic Style
“Ari Aster’s Hereditary elevates the horror genre, combining technical prowess with a unique artistic vision, leaving viewers both disturbed and in awe.”
Cinematography
Pawel Pogorzelski’s cinematography in Hereditary sets a tone that’s as unsettling as it is beautiful.
He uses static shots and slow zooms to create a sense of looming dread. The camera work is meticulous, often framing the family home like one of the eerie dioramas the mother in the film creates.
These shots are not just captivating; they’re a window into the family’s fragmented life.
Musical Score
Colin Stetson’s musical score for Hereditary is a haunting masterpiece that weaves itself into the fabric of the film.
It’s a mix of piercing brass and sinister woodwinds that swells into an omnipresent force. The music doesn’t underscore terror; it is the presence of terror, as much a character as any actor on the screen.
Unique Elements
Hereditary’s style is a slow burn, creating intense discomfort without relying on typical jump scares. Instead, it uses the emotional state of its characters to build tension.
This allows viewers to experience the terror organically. Elements like the disconcerting use of dioramas and an emphasis on family dynamics set it apart.
There’s a palpable sense of pole or existential dread lingering in each scene, a hallmark of Aster’s approach to horror.
