Filmmaker Ari Aster has established a reputation for delivering emotionally and mentally draining cinematic experiences, with his works leaving a profound and lasting impact on audiences. Since his debut in 2018, Aster has consistently produced thought-provoking and scarring pieces, none more so than his feature-length directorial debut, Hereditary, a film that continues to haunt nightmares and spark extensive discussions among horror enthusiasts.

Even acclaimed director Martin Scorsese has publicly expressed his admiration for the Toni Collette-led horror film. During an appearance at Lincoln Center, Scorsese lauded Aster's direction as "remarkable" and "wonderful," while also acknowledging the film's deeply "disturbing" nature. He described Hereditary as "more than" a typical horror film, drawing parallels to "the best of the horror of the Val Lewton films," emphasizing its profound thematic depth beyond simple scares.

Audiences will soon have the opportunity to stream Aster’s breakthrough masterpiece free of charge, as Hereditary is set to arrive on Tubi on January 1. Released cinematically on June 8, 2018, the film is a masterclass in tension, diverging from typical haunted house or supernatural narratives. Instead, it delves into the profound depths of family trauma, grief, and the insidious ways these can manifest, wrapping its narrative in an absolutely horrific bow. The story follows Annie Graham, an artist portrayed by Toni Collette, who navigates the complex stages of grief following her mother’s death. As further tragedy strikes the already struggling family, they are forced to fight for their unity against a sinister entity that haunts their home and lives, relentlessly luring them in one by one.

Toni Collette’s performance in Hereditary has been widely praised, with many critics suggesting it was Oscar-worthy. Collette had already proven her mettle as an incredible genre performer through previous roles in films like M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, Craig Gillespie’s Fright Night, and Michael Dougherty’s Krampus. However, her work in Aster's debut feature stands out for its masterful blending of the true terrors of parenthood with the overwhelming inability to grapple with the supernatural forces tearing her family apart.

The film's impact is further amplified by a collection of compelling supporting performances. Gabriel Byrne from The Usual Suspects, Alex Wolff known for Pig, Milly Shapiro of Matilda the Musical fame, and Ann Dowd from The Handmaid’s Tale all contribute significantly to the film’s chilling atmosphere and emotional weight.

In the years following Hereditary's profound impression, Ari Aster has continued to deliver unique and impactful cinematic works. In 2019, he collaborated with Florence Pugh on Midsommar, another haunting and chilling film centered on trauma. He then explored themes of extreme stress, guilt, and anxiety with Joaquin Phoenix in 2023’s Beau Is Afraid. Most recently, Aster delved into the political divides of our country with Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in 2025’s Eddington, cementing his status as a director unafraid to tackle challenging and often unsettling subjects.