Hereditary (2018): A Family Drama More Twisted Than Office Politics.And Just in Time for Halloween!

Boo! Did I scare you? If not, hang tight, because today we’re diving into a movie that's scarier than an unscheduled audit on Halloween — Ari Aster’s Hereditary (2018). But don’t worry, I’ve signed the non-disclosure agreement with the spirit of mystery. So, no spoilers here!

The Plot Thickens Thicker Than Your Coworker’s Halloween Costume Makeup

Imagine preparing for unforeseen family drama, and then literally quadruple it. That’s the Grahams for you: Annie (played by the phenomenal Toni Collette), her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), and their children, Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro). They're about to experience the nightmare of the century. The kind that makes dealing with Mike from accounting’s prank emails seem like a Halloween trick.

The Grahams are a family steeped in “legacy issues” — the kind that would make even an HR necromancer itch with curiosity. An artist, Annie builds miniature dioramas, and this movie's imagery is meticulously and perfectly a mirror of that miniature plastic and static world she creates. You will be literally travelling through miniatures of horror framed to perfection to fit the supernatural plot of this masterpiece of horror.

After an unexpected event, this legacy begins to unfurl, revealing chilling secrets that’ll have you second-guessing the skeletons in your own family closet.

The Actors Scare Up Amazing Performances

If we were conducting a performance review (and let’s face it, we HR types live for those), Toni Collette would be the top contender for Employee of the Month. Her portrayal of a mother on the brink is so uncanny...

Gabriel Byrne? He’s the HR manager we all need but doesn’t deserve, playing the role of the ever-patient Steve. He’s the guy who’d probably bring snacks to the Friday the 13th meeting when we’re all ready to bite each other’s heads off.

Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro shine brighter than the glow of your jack-o’-lantern’s candle, bringing layers of complexity to their roles as Peter and Charlie, making us recall our own family dynamics (even those awkward Xmas dinners).

A Workspace More Ominous Than Open Office Plans

Hereditary doesn’t rely on cheap tricks or jump scares to scare the bejeezus out of you. Nope. Ari Aster crafts an atmosphere dripping with dread more meticulously than you establish those anti-fraternization policies. Each frame is imbued with tension that feels like walking into a room full of unscheduled performance reviews—or a haunted house.

The soundtrack by Colin Stetson is like the company-wide email Halloween prank that you didn’t know you needed but can’t stop playing on repeat. Every note adds a layer of creepiness that’ll have you reaching for your ergonomic stress ball faster than a bat out of HR.

The Subtext Runs Deeper Than HR Manual Fine Print

Ah, symbolism — the true treasure trove for HR professionals who live for subtext and fine print. Hereditary is packed with metaphors and allegories as dense as your Halloween party’s fog machine. Be it the eerie miniatures that Annie constructs or the inexplicably freaky house sigils, every element is a puzzle piece that fits into the grander, ghastlier picture.

Think of these symbols as those quirky workplace traditions no one questions — until they realize there's something more sinister underlying them. Ghost stories around the campfire? How about “let's question why we still organize team bonding activities in the ancient storage room?” No reason? Hmm, okay...

A Horror Film for Every Type of Fear

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But... horror isn’t my jam!”

Trust me, Hereditary ensures that there’s a flavour of fear for everyone. Are you someone who jumps at shadows, or do you prefer the slow, psychological burn? Hereditary serves a buffet of terror; there's something for everyone — like that inclusive Halloween costume contest we’re all too nervous to participate in.

Career Development or Character Development?

So, what's the lesson here, fellow horror and non-aficionados?

Hereditary is more than a horror flick; it’s a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere — much like the culture we strive to build in our organizations. It reminds us that what lurks beneath the surface (or the conference room table) often defines us more than we’d care to admit.

Whether you're navigating the labyrinth of company policies or the haunted mazes of your own modern-day haunts, take note of Hereditary — pay attention to the small things, the unsaid words, and that unsettling feeling of being watched (probably by the ghosts of past).

Now, grab the popcorn, and suspend your disbelief (and your sensitivity training).

This Halloween, plunge into the world of Hereditary. An experience that’ll leave you more shook than a surprise audit—and just as ready to curl up in your cubicle!

Catch you in the aftershock, or perhaps the next haunted office tour!