Hereditary

Hereditary is currently streaming in Australia on Stan and MUBI, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 8,693 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch Toni Collette work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Available now on Stan — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Hereditary is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting in Hereditary is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Following the death of the Leigh family matriarch, Annie and her children uncover disturbing secrets about their heritage. Their daily lives are not only impacted, but they also become entangled in a chilling fate from which they cannot escape, driving them to the brink of madness. The writing gets a boost from Toni Collette and Alex Wolff, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 2018. Hereditary is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find Hereditary proves them wrong. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch Toni Collette work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.