What Is Hereditary About?
The premise of Hereditary in 302 words, with nothing given away. The full story and the ending follow below.
The film opens in a quiet, tightly knit New England suburb where grief hangs heavy in the air after the loss of a secretive matriarch. The modest home of Annie, a meticulous artist whose life is built around tiny, painstakingly crafted dioramas, becomes a silent witness to the family’s uneasy transition. Her husband, Steve, works a steady job that keeps him grounded, while their teenage son, Peter, navigates the awkward edge of adolescence, yearning for normal teenage connections. Their younger daughter, Charlie, lives in a world of imagination, her curiosity both endearing and unsettling.
As the family settles into life without the enigmatic grandmother, Ellen, strange and unsettling sensations begin to ripple through everyday routines. The house, filled with the soft hum of domestic tasks, gradually feels cramped by an invisible weight that seems to tighten around each character in different ways. The atmosphere is suffused with a slow‑burning dread, amplified by the muted, almost tactile soundscape of creaking floors, dim lighting, and the whisper of wind through the trees outside. The tone balances a stark realism with an unsettling, almost folkloric sense of something ancient lingering just beyond perception.
Annie’s artistic temperament drives her to search for meaning in the loss, turning to obscure rituals and a small, supportive community that offers both solace and unsettling ideas. Peter wrestles with the pressure of stepping into an older brother’s role while yearning for his own identity, and Charlie remains a conduit of childlike wonder that occasionally brushes against something far darker. The film hints at a hereditary legacy that may be more than a family secret, suggesting a curse that has silently shaped generations. Within this tightly wound domestic tableau, the story unfolds as a slow, creeping meditation on grief, inherited trauma, and the thin veil between the ordinary and the uncanny.
What Happens in Hereditary?
The complete story of Hereditary, from the first scene to the last, in 703 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a captivating scene, as we gaze from a workshop window toward a treehouse, then zoom into a dollhouse bedroom within the workshop. The narrative follows Steve Graham as he wakes his teenage son, Peter, and 13-year-old daughter, Charlie, in preparation for their 78-year-old grandmother Ellen Taper Leigh’s funeral. Amidst this somber setting, Steve discovers Charlie still asleep in the treehouse.
At the funeral, Steve’s wife, Annie, who is an artist creating miniature dioramas, delivers a poignant eulogy for her mother. During Annie’s heartfelt speech, Charlie disrupts the moment by making clucking noises while sketching a peculiar drawing. Later that evening, Annie engages Charlie in a conversation about her grandmother, during which Charlie expresses a concerning thought that Ellen always wished she had a male grandchild. This revelation leaves Annie puzzled as Charlie voices her anxiety about who will look after her now that Ellen is gone. That night, Annie experiences a haunting vision of her mother while looking through a memory book in her workshop.
In a strange incident at school, a bird tragically flies into Charlie’s classroom window. Afterward, Charlie ends up outside, where she decapitates the deceased bird. Meanwhile, Annie’s research on apparitions leads to more unsettling discoveries; Steve learns that Ellen’s grave has been desecrated but opts not to share this disturbing news with Annie. Instead, Annie, claiming she’s going to the movies, secretly attends a grief counseling group where she opens up about her mother’s struggles with mental health, including dissociative identity disorder and dementia.
As Charlie encounters inexplicable phenomena, such as a strange light in her bedroom, gallery owner Silvia Archer reaches out to Annie regarding her art pieces, including one that centers on her mother. Tension rises as Peter requests permission to attend a party where he hopes to reconnect with his classmate Bridget. Despite Annie’s insistence that he invite Charlie, he ends up leaving her behind.
At the party, Peter becomes consumed by his desire for Bridget, abandoning responsibility for Charlie, who, in her innocence, ingests chocolate cake containing an allergen. As a medical emergency unfolds, Peter rushes Charlie to the hospital, but amidst a tragic accident, she is decapitated when the car collides with a utility pole after Peter swerves to avoid an animal. In the aftermath, he returns home in shock, while Annie discovers the gruesome scene of her daughter in the car.
The family navigates the painful experience of Charlie’s funeral, and as grief envelops them, Steve and Peter are thrown into turmoil. Peter suffers a panic attack, and Annie’s isolation deepens as she grieves in solitude. In a fateful encounter at a support group, Annie meets Joan, who connects with her through shared sorrow over lost children.
As Annie’s mental state deteriorates, she confides in Joan about a troubling incident involving her children, revealing a history marred by sleepwalking and destructive visions. As Annie grapples with sleepwalking episodes, she constructs a harrowing diorama of Charlie’s death, intensifying tensions within the family as accusations surface.
Amidst swirling emotions and supernatural occurrences, Joan introduces Annie to the concept of a séance, claiming to have harnessed the power to communicate with the dead. Following this eerie experience, Annie becomes obsessed with the idea of reaching out to Charlie, ultimately leading to her own devastating sleepwalking incident, which nearly ends in catastrophe.
As the narrative spirals deeper into horror, Annie’s actions summon dark entities threatening her family. The discovery of a disturbing symbol linked to the demon Paimon connects the family’s tragedies to a sinister legacy, unveiling the horrifying truth surrounding their lineage and the covenant made generations ago. Annie’s desperate attempts to rectify the past lead to a series of shocking revelations, culminating in a frenzy of violence and otherworldly possession.
The film takes a climactic turn as Peter contemplates his fate in the shadow of dark forces. From confronting his own reality to the horrifying family secret, he ultimately finds himself drawn into a malevolent web spun by grief, despair, and unspeakable horror. The chilling conclusion sees Peter emerge amidst a coven of devil-worshipers, accepting a fate intertwined with Paimon, as the lineage’s curse fully manifests, leaving viewers with a haunting image of loss and the relentless grip of evil.
Hereditary Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Funeral Preparation” to “Climactic Confrontation”. 6 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Funeral Preparation
The film opens with a scenic view from a workshop window, setting an eerie tone. Steve Graham wakes his children, Peter and Charlie, as they prepare for their grandmother Ellen's funeral, showcasing the somber atmosphere surrounding the family.
- 2
Annie's Eulogy
At the funeral, Annie delivers a heartfelt eulogy for her mother, expressing her deep emotions. However, the moment is disrupted by Charlie's strange behavior, as she clucks and sketches a bizarre drawing, hinting at her troubled state.
- 3
Family Concerns
Later, Annie and Charlie discuss their grandmother's legacy, where Charlie reveals a disturbing thought about Ellen's desire for a male grandchild. This conversation leaves Annie feeling confused about the implications of Charlie's anxieties now that Ellen has passed.
- 4
Haunting Vision
That night, while looking through a memory book in her workshop, Annie experiences a haunting vision of her mother. This supernatural encounter begins to unravel Annie’s stability and sets off a series of unsettling events.
When:Night Where:Workshop
- 5
Incident at School
In a bizarre incident at school, a bird flies into Charlie's classroom window and ends up dead. Outside, Charlie decapitates the bird, showcasing her morbid curiosity which further complicates her mental state.
Where:School
- 6
Ellen's Grave Desecrated
Steve discovers that Ellen's grave has been desecrated but chooses not to inform Annie, adding to the family's secrets. Meanwhile, Annie begins attending a grief counseling group to cope with her mother's troubling past.
Where:Cemetery
- 7
Charlie's Strange Experiences
As Charlie experiences increasingly strange phenomena, including a mysterious light in her bedroom, Annie's art draws attention from a gallery owner. This intersection of creativity and paranormal suggests deeper connections to Annie's troubled family lineage.
Where:Charlie's Bedroom
- 8
Party and Crisis
Peter attends a party hoping to connect with his classmate Bridget, leaving Charlie behind. The night turns tragic when Charlie accidentally consumes an allergenic chocolate cake, leading to a severe medical emergency.
Where:Party
- 9
Accident and Aftermath
In a frantic rush to the hospital, Peter swerves to avoid an animal, leading to a horrific crash that decapitates Charlie. The shocking aftermath leaves Peter devastated and forces the family to confront their darkest fears.
When:Night Where:Road
- 10
Grief and Isolation
Following Charlie's funeral, the family's grief becomes palpable, intensifying the isolation Annie feels. As tension rises, Peter experiences panic attacks, highlighting the family's fragile emotional state.
Show the other 5 events of Hereditary Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Meeting Joan
Annie meets Joan at a support group where they bond over the loss of their children. Joan's understanding gives Annie a temporary reprieve from her pain, but also leads her down a darker path.
- 12
Annie's Descent
Annie's mental health deteriorates as she confides in Joan about her children's troubling behaviors. This confession triggers a painful reminder of her family's history filled with sleepwalking and visions of destruction.
- 13
Séance and Obsession
Joan introduces Annie to the concept of a séance, claiming it can allow communication with the dead. Annie becomes obsessed with reaching out to Charlie, leading to escalating supernatural incidents.
- 14
Unraveling the Family Secret
As Annie's actions summon dark entities, she uncovers a disturbing symbol linked to a demon named Paimon, revealing the family's cursed legacy. This discovery spirals the family further into horror and despair.
- 15
Climactic Confrontation
In a chilling conclusion, Peter confronts his reality amidst dark forces and a sinister family secret. The film culminates in a harrowing acceptance of his fate tied to the evil legacy of Paimon, leaving a haunting impact on viewers.
Who Are the Main Characters in Hereditary?
5 characters, among them Steve Graham (Gabriel Byrne), Peter Graham (Alex Wolff) and Charlie Graham (Milly Shapiro): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Steve Graham (Gabriel Byrne)
Played by Gabriel Byrne
Steve is a conflicted patriarch who strives to hold his family together in the face of profound tragedy. His protective instinct clashes with his inability to cope with his own grief, leading to tension in family dynamics. As events spiral out of control, Steve's struggle becomes a poignant reflection of a father's heartbreak.
- 🧔 Dad
- 😟 Grief
- 💔 Conflict
-
Peter Graham (Alex Wolff)
Played by Alex Wolff
Peter is a typical teenager who experiences a shocking transformation throughout the film. Initially focused on typical teen concerns, his character is thrust into a nightmare that forces him to confront dark realities. His guilt and despair after Charlie's accident reflect the film’s exploration of trauma and horror.
- 👦 Teen
- 😖 Guilt
- 🎭 Transformation
- CG
Charlie Graham (Milly Shapiro)
Played by Milly Shapiro
Charlie is a curious and uniquely troubled child whose peculiar behavior hints at the underlying horror of the family's legacy. Her innocence contrasts sharply with the film's tragic events. Charlie's fate acts as a catalyst for the unraveling of the family's sanity and serves as a haunting reminder of the cost of grief.
- 👧 Innocence
- 🤔 Curiosity
- 🕯️ Tragedy
-
Annie Graham (Toni Collette)
Played by Toni Collette
Annie is an artist grappling with the pain of her past and the loss of her mother. Her descent into obsession with the supernatural and grief manifests through her artwork, ultimately leading to tragic decisions. Her character epitomizes the struggle between managing grief and confronting dark family secrets.
- 🎨 Artist
- 😫 Obsession
- 💀 Grief
-
Joan (Ann Dowd)
Played by Ann Dowd
Joan is a mysterious figure who becomes intertwined with Annie's journey through grief. Her introduction of the supernatural further complicates Annie's already fragile mental state. Joan represents both a guiding light and an ominous presence, reflecting the duality of compassion and manipulation in times of loss.
- 🕵️♀️ Mysterious
- 😔 Support
- 🖤 Manipulation
Where and When Is Hereditary Set?
Hereditary is set in Treehouse, Workshop, Cemetery and Peter's School. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film is set in contemporary times, showcasing modern family dynamics and the challenges of mental health. This present-day setting allows viewers to connect with the characters' struggles in a relatable manner, heightening the horror elements of the story.
Where
Treehouse, Workshop, Cemetery, Peter's School
The story takes place across several significant locations, starting with a treehouse where Charlie spends her time, providing a sense of innocence amidst the dark events. The workshop is where Annie creates her eerie dioramas, which reflect the family's turmoil and grief. The cemetery signifies the loss that triggers a chain of tragic events. Lastly, Peter's school serves as the backdrop for a pivotal scene involving a deceased bird, symbolizing the darker themes of the film.
- 🏡 Home
- 📚 School
- ⚰️ Cemetery
What Are the Themes of Hereditary?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Grief, Supernatural and Horror.
-
01
Grief
Grief looms large over the narrative as it explores the impact of losing a loved one. Each character navigates their sorrow in distinct ways, leading to isolation and despair. The theme is compounded by the tragic accidents and supernatural occurrences, illustrating how grief can manifest into darker experiences and actions.
-
02
Supernatural
The supernatural elements are intricately woven into the family's story, with ghostly visions and dark forces emerging as central to their plight. These eerie occurrences serve as a manifestation of their unresolved trauma, culminating in a terrifying exploration of legacy and the supernatural ties that bind them to their past.
-
03
Horror
The film embodies psychological horror through its unsettling atmosphere and shocking events. The gradual unveiling of family secrets and the presence of malevolent entities create a sense of dread. The horror stems not only from external forces but also from within the family, highlighting how personal struggles can lead to terrifying consequences.
How Does Hereditary End?
The last act of Hereditary and what it means, in 314 words. The ending lands as bleak. Big spoilers: read the plot summary first if you have not seen it.
The final act, in full
In the film’s climax, it’s revealed that Annie’s mother was deeply involved in occult practices centered around summoning the demon Paimon, one of the infernal kings from demonology. The cult’s goal was to have Paimon inhabit a human host to regain power, and they believed Peter was the suitable vessel. However, Annie’s initial attempts to use her son Charlie failed, and she inadvertently set her brother on the path to becoming Paimon’s host. Charlie’s death by decapitation, marked by the symbol of Paimon etched onto the telephone pole, was a pivotal moment that allowed the demon’s spirit to transfer into Peter. This transfer was facilitated by the cult and the presence of other cult members, with Joan helping orchestrate the ritual.
As the story reaches its terrifying conclusion, Annie, who has been struggling with her own mental health and grief throughout, becomes possessed herself. Her role shifts from a grieving mother to a sacrifice that completes Paimon’s resurrection, which she does by cutting off her own head—a symbolic act of offering herself to the demonic forces. With Annie’s sacrifice, Paimon’s spirit fully inhabits Peter’s body, transforming him into the vessel for the demon king. The eerie final scene shows Peter, now possessed and embodying Paimon, trapped in a ritualistic temple while the cult members worship him—culminating in the haunting chant of “Hail Paimon.”
This ending reinforces the film’s themes of trauma, inheritance, and the destructive power of grief, illustrating how the family’s suffering was exploited by cultists for supernatural evil. It suggests that the demon Paimon’s resurrection was both a literal event and a metaphor for the cyclical and destructive nature of trauma, inheritance, and unresolved grief. The film leaves viewers with unsettling questions about what is real—whether the supernatural events are genuine or amplified by mental anguish—and underscores that evil, once unleashed, can perpetuate itself, leaving a devastating mark on the family’s legacy.
What Kind of Film Is Hereditary?
Dark in tone, with slow pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
An oppressive and dread-filled slow-burn horror that methodically unravels a family's grief-stricken descent into madness, exposing a sinister hereditary curse through escalating terror and psychological torment.
- oppressive
- dreadful
- anxious
- melancholic
- claustrophobic
- unsettling
- family curse
- grief and loss
- supernatural possession
- psychological trauma
Content notes: child death, decapitation, animal death, psychological trauma, graphic corpse, cult activity.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hereditary? Test yourself on the story.
