This article delves into how memory plays a central role in Hereditary, examining its role in shaping familial dynamics, mental health, and the overarching theme of trauma.
One of the most compelling elements of Hereditary is the subjective nature of memory, particularly through the lens of Annie Graham, portrayed by Toni Collette. The film showcases how memories are often colored by personal experiences and emotional biases. In group therapy sessions, Annie reveals her family’s troubled history, describing traumatic events such as her brother’s suicide and her mother’s mental illness.
Annie’s recollections are filtered through her pain, framing her mother as the root cause of the family’s dysfunction. This subjective view creates tension within the family, particularly with her son Peter, whose memories of shared experiences differ greatly from Annie’s. Aster uses this subjectivity to explore how individuals can interpret the same events differently, ultimately leading to greater conflicts and misunderstandings.
One of the film’s most intense and emotional scenes occurs during a family dinner, where grief and guilt come to a head. Annie and Peter accuse each other of being responsible for Charlie’s death, each offering their own version of the events leading up to the tragedy. This scene is a powerful depiction of how trauma distorts memory and how individuals often cling to their recollections to protect themselves from deeper emotional pain.
The conflicting memories reveal the characters’ inability to process their grief and guilt, with each blaming the other for their shared trauma. Aster masterfully portrays how trauma can turn memory into a battleground for unresolved emotions, further fracturing the already fragile family dynamic.
Memory repression is another critical theme in Hereditary, particularly through Annie’s character. The film illustrates how traumatic memories, when suppressed, can resurface in unpredictable and often destructive ways. Annie’s initial attempts to suppress her trauma are symbolized by her workshop, where she meticulously recreates scenes from her life through miniature models. This is not only a coping mechanism but also a physical manifestation of her repressed memories.
As the film progresses, Annie’s repressed trauma begins to surface, especially after she engages with her mother’s spiritual texts. The appearance of ghostly figures in her workshop represents these resurfacing memories that she has long tried to forget. The supernatural elements in Hereditary serve as metaphors for the emotional haunting Annie experiences, demonstrating how unresolved trauma can linger and continue to haunt individuals.
Annie’s workshop serves as both a sanctuary and a prison, a space where she attempts to control her world through meticulous craftsmanship. However, it also becomes a space where her repressed memories and unresolved traumas resurface. As she engages with objects from her past, including her mother’s belongings and the eerie spiritual texts, Annie’s emotional state unravels.
The workshop is a visual representation of Annie’s internal struggle, where the order and precision of her models contrast with the chaos and emotional turmoil she feels. The ghostly appearances within the workshop further symbolize the haunting presence of her traumatic memories, which she can no longer suppress. Aster’s use of this setting emphasizes the psychological complexity of Annie’s character and how memory can manifest in physical and emotional spaces.
Peter, portrayed by Alex Wolff, is another character whose experiences with memory and trauma lead to a psychological breakdown. After Charlie’s tragic death, Peter is consumed by guilt, which distorts his perception of reality. As he attempts to repress his painful memories, his mental state deteriorates, leading him down a path of self-destruction.
Peter’s guilt is compounded by his fractured relationship with his mother, as both characters refuse to acknowledge or process their trauma. His gradual descent into madness mirrors Annie’s emotional unraveling, highlighting how trauma, when left unresolved, can have devastating effects on mental health.
In Hereditary, Aster not only explores the personal aspects of memory and trauma but also delves into their cultural implications. The film suggests that trauma is not limited to the individual but can be inherited and passed down through generations. This concept of intergenerational trauma is central to the film, with Annie’s strained relationship with her mother serving as a reflection of how past traumas shape family dynamics and individual identities.
The film’s portrayal of memory and trauma resonates with broader cultural themes, particularly in how it explores the psychological impact of unresolved grief and familial dysfunction. Aster’s nuanced approach to these themes elevates Hereditary beyond a typical horror movie, making it a profound commentary on the human condition.
Intergenerational trauma plays a significant role in Hereditary, particularly in how Annie’s family history influences her actions and relationships. Annie’s struggles with her mother’s mental illness and her brother’s suicide are central to the narrative, as they reflect the long-lasting effects of unresolved trauma. This theme is further explored through the lens of memory, as Annie’s recollections of her family’s past shape her present reality.
Aster uses Annie’s relationship with her mother as a vehicle to explore the insidious nature of intergenerational trauma. The film suggests that trauma is not something that can be easily forgotten or buried—it is passed down through generations, perpetuating a cycle of suffering and dysfunction.
The supernatural elements in Hereditary serve as metaphors for the emotional haunting that Annie and Peter experience. Ghostly figures, eerie sounds, and inexplicable occurrences represent the resurfacing of repressed memories, which neither character can fully escape. These manifestations of trauma blur the line between reality and the supernatural, emphasizing the psychological horror at the heart of the film.
For Annie, these ghostly figures symbolize the memories she has tried to suppress, while for Peter, they represent his guilt and the emotional scars left by Charlie’s death. Aster’s use of supernatural horror to explore psychological trauma creates a chilling and emotionally resonant experience for audiences.
Ari Aster’s Hereditary is a masterful exploration of how memory and trauma intertwine to shape the characters’ present realities. Through subjective recollections, repressed memories, and the insidious nature of intergenerational trauma, Aster creates a psychological horror that resonates on a deeply emotional level. The film’s nuanced portrayal of memory not only
