Is Hereditary based on a true story? Details explored

Ari Aster's masterpiece Hereditary has been regarded as one of the most chilling horror films in modern cinema. Giving an unconventional take on the genre, the film opened to immense praise from fans and critics, cementing its place as one of the scariest films made in the 21st century.

The unsettling story that dives deep into the Graham family's psychological turmoil has often initiated conversations on the plot and whether it's rooted in reality at all. Although it's not uncommon for horror films to get inspired by and adapt real-life horror incidents, this doesn't exactly hold true for Hereditary.

Hereditary is not based on a true story. The horror film released in 2018 is a fictional narrative. It delves into issues of loss, familial trauma, and the supernatural, blending psychological horror with elements of the occult.

Although the film is not based on true events, its depiction of familial relationships and emotional turmoil is rooted in reality, which enhances the discomfort of its horror. Ari Aster has stated that he was inspired by his own experiences and human feelings to create the narrative, yet the supernatural aspects, such as the cult and demonic possession, are completely made up.

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What is the plot of Hereditary?

Hereditary revolves around the death of the Graham family's matriarch, Ellen Taper Leigh. Upon her death, her relations to the occult are revealed. Instances of horror and emotional turmoil are portrayed throughout the film, showcasing the psychological trauma of all the characters as they deal with the loss of Ellen.

Unlike many horror films, Hereditary doesn't exactly rely on physical ghosts or jumpscares to scare its audience. The film's elements of horror are far more rooted in familial trauma, grief, and generationally inherited anguish.

Aster himself noted that he used trauma as one of the major forces in the film as he told Vox,

“But for me, the metaphor is operating all the way through. In the end, without spoiling anything, the movie is still about how trauma can utterly transform a person, and not necessarily for the better.”

The central force of horror in the film is Paimon, one of the demons from the grimoires who has placed a generational curse on the Graham family, the effects of which can be seen as each member of the family undergoes troubles, some resulting in death and most resulting in intense psychological agony.

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Is Hereditary inspired by any true stories? What was the inspiration behind the film?

Ari Aster has mostly kept the film's original inspiration under wraps but has often hinted that the film's themes have a close resonance with his psychological trauma. Speaking in one of the interviews for the film, the director has said,

“I don’t feel comfortable being explicit about it. It’s easier for me not to go into detail. I was more pulling from feelings than experiences.”

The film's primary supernatural aspect, the existence of the demon Paimon who the occult worships, has been taken from the grimoire The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King. Although Aster has tweaked most of the details surrounding Paimon, it bears a resemblance to how he is described in the text.

The film is also said to have taken inspiration from the life and works of popular occultist Aleister Crowley. A scene in the film shows the wallpaper of the Grahams' house where words have been inscribed. One of the words written is 'Zazas', a word popularly used by Crowley to summon the demon Choronzon.

In conclusion, Hereditary is not exactly directly adapted from any true incidents, but Aster certainly researched real-life horrors to create the basis of the film.