10 Horror Movie Twists That Were Hiding In Plain Sight

Hereditary begins with Annie dealing with the death of her mother, Ellen. Because the two had a hostile relationship, Annie is somewhat relieved Ellen has passed. But after Annie's daughter, Charlie, is decapitated in a horrific car crash, she becomes convinced her mother is manipulating her life from beyond the grave.

Eventually, Annie learns her mother was a cult member who worshipped the demon, Paimon. Worse still, Ellen has been shaping Annie's life for years, hoping for Paimon to be reincarnated in her children.

Few viewers see this revelation coming even though the film leaves clues everywhere. Charlie beheads a pigeon which foreshadows her own fate. Also, the pole which decapitates Charlie has the cult's logo on it, proving her death was preordained. Just before Charlie has her head cut off, the party guests watch a video of someone being guillotined.

Probably the most obvious clue that viewers don't pick up on is when Annie attends a support meeting. During the discussion, she mentions her brother killed himself because Ellen was "trying to put people in his head". Viewers assume Annie's brother spoke like this because he was mentally ill, not understanding that Ellen was attempting to have him possessed by Paimon.