12 Most Divisive Movies Of 2018

While Hereditary is the latest victim, the rise of "arthouse horror" over the course of the 2010s has led to a string of horror movies that general audiences just can't seem to agree on. From the likes of The Babadook to The VVitch, these are flicks that utilise all the conventions of mainstream horror but take decidedly more daring approaches to storytelling.

Initially, Hereditary's plot is extremely similar to these other flicks. Essentially about the devolution of a family after the death of their young daughter, their grief is heightened by potentially supernatural goings-on, with each character suffering visions and being tormented by ghostly apparitions. Where other critically acclaimed movies of its ilk, like the aforementioned Babadook or It Comes At Night, used a horror plot to drive home statements on inherently human turmoil, Hereditary doubles down on its supernatural aspects.

Offering a straightforward explanation for everything, it's revealed that there is in fact a sinister force to blame. It's not happening in someone's head, it's not a direct metaphor for something else, it's literally the King of Hell causing untold terror.

Consequently, audiences either embraced this revelation in the third act, or felt like it betrayed the previous hour of tight, ambiguous human drama.