10 Horror Movies That Put Insane Effort Into Details Nobody Noticed

Ari Aster's 2018 directorial debut Hereditary was an addition to the prevailing rise in counter-intellectualism within modern horror and has perhaps one of the most shocking first-act twists since Pyscho killed its main character a third of the way through the film

Hidden details are everywhere in Hereditary, from the shadowy naked figures who lurk outside the Graham house at night, to Annie's mother's friend Joan and her involvement with the demonic cult. Joan's apartment features the same demonic symbol worn by Annie's mother as a pendant, which can be seen on the telegraph pole where Charlie is decapitated. Similarly, she has a 'diorama' depicting the events of the film's climax and the worship of Paimon, clues that reveal exactly where the film is headed long before the conspiracy is revealed.

3D printing and hand painted miniatures were painstakingly recreated from full size set pieces, including chair legs, chandeliers and light fixtures, which result in in-camera shots present for mere seconds.

Production designer Grace Yun incorporated the use of 'sacred geometry' within the set design too - triangles on the first floor for the first act that represent the mother and her two children, squares on the second which highlight the husband's larger role in the narrative and circles throughout, which represent the cyclic nature of reincarnation and the rebirth of Paimon.

Aster leaves clues littered throughout the film and as such Hereditary's most unexpected moments have been subconsciously introduced already: decapitations, reincarnation, rebirth, demonology and matriarchal blood lines all occur somewhere in the first thirty minutes.