Hereditary (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

After a family tragedy, Annie uncovers an occult legacy that drives the Grahams toward possession and the coronation of Paimon's chosen host.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Funeral Shadowed by Secrets

The Graham family attends Ellen's funeral, and Annie reflects on her difficult history with her mother. Charlie's allergic reaction during a party ends in a fatal accident that leaves Peter overwhelmed with guilt.

Key Events

• Ellen's Funeral — The Graham family attends Ellen's funeral, where Annie is surprised by the number of mourners. Characters: Annie Graham, Steve Graham, Peter Graham, Charlie Graham Location: Funeral
• Annie Discusses Her Grief — Annie describes her strained relationship with her mother and Ellen's role in raising Charlie. Characters: Annie Graham, Group Leader Location: Bereavement support group
• Charlie's Allergic Reaction — Charlie eats walnut cake, suffers anaphylactic shock, and Peter drives her toward the hospital. Characters: Peter Graham, Charlie Graham Location: Party
• Charlie's Death — Peter swerves to avoid a dead deer; Charlie leans out the window and is decapitated by a telephone pole. Characters: Peter Graham, Charlie Graham Location: Road outside town

Grief Turns the Family Against Itself

After Charlie's funeral, Peter withdraws and Annie's resentment toward him grows. Joan offers Annie a séance as a way to contact Charlie, leading the family into a frightening experience.

Key Events

• Annie Finds Charlie — Peter leaves Charlie's body in the car, and Annie discovers it the following morning. Characters: Annie Graham, Peter Graham Location: Graham home
• Grief Divides the Family — Peter retreats into guilt, Annie resents him, and Steve tries to mediate between them. Characters: Annie Graham, Peter Graham, Steve Graham Location: Graham home
• Joan Suggests a Séance — Joan befriends Annie and suggests a séance to contact Charlie's ghost. Characters: Annie Graham, Joan Location: Bereavement support group
• The Séance Begins — Annie conducts a séance before Peter and Steve; objects move, and Annie speaks in Charlie's voice. Characters: Annie Graham, Peter Graham, Steve Graham Location: Graham home

The Occult Legacy Revealed

Annie's attempts to understand the haunting lead her to Charlie's sketchbook and Ellen's belongings. She uncovers evidence of Joan's connection to a coven and learns that Paimon seeks a male host.

Key Events

• The Sketchbook Burns — Threatening images appear in Charlie's sketchbook; when Annie throws it into the fireplace, her clothes catch fire too. Characters: Annie Graham Location: Graham home
• Annie Finds Occult Evidence — Annie finds evidence connecting Joan to Ellen's coven and learns of Paimon's desire for a male host. Characters: Annie Graham, Joan Location: Graham home
• The Attic Discovery — Annie discovers Ellen's rotting, headless corpse and occultist runes drawn in blood. Characters: Annie Graham Location: Graham home attic
• Joan Targets Peter — Joan attempts to expel Peter's spirit from his body for Paimon. Characters: Peter Graham, Joan Location: Street outside Peter's school

The Host and the Coronation

Peter is targeted and then possessed, while Annie's effort to destroy the sketchbook results in Steve's death and her own possession. The coven gathers at the house, and Peter is crowned as Paimon's king.

Key Events

• Joan Targets Peter — Joan attempts to expel Peter's spirit from his body for Paimon. Characters: Peter Graham, Joan Location: Street outside Peter's school
• Peter Is Possessed — An unseen force takes over Peter, who slams his head against a desk and breaks his nose. Characters: Peter Graham Location: School classroom
• Steve Burns — Annie throws the sketchbook into the fire, and Steve bursts into flames instead. Characters: Annie Graham, Steve Graham Location: Graham home
• Annie Pursues Peter — Possessed Annie chases Peter into the attic and beheads herself with piano wire. Characters: Annie Graham, Peter Graham Location: Graham home attic
• Peter Enters the Treehouse — Peter falls from the window, is revived by a glowing orb, and follows Annie's floating corpse to the treehouse. Characters: Peter Graham, Annie Graham Location: Graham home and treehouse
• Paimon Is Crowned — Joan crowns Peter as King Paimon while the coven worships the crowned head and announces the male host's ascension. Characters: Peter Graham, Joan, Annie Graham Location: Treehouse

Story Breakdown

• Ellen's Hidden Legacy — The funeral and Annie's recollections establish a family history shadowed by secrets.
  • Funeral Mourners — Annie is surprised by the number of people attending her mother's funeral.
  • Strained Family History — Annie describes her difficult relationship with her mother and Ellen's later role in raising Charlie.
• Charlie's Fatal Accident — A party and allergic reaction lead to a devastating accident that reshapes the family.
  • Walnut Allergy — Charlie eats cake containing walnuts and suffers anaphylactic shock.
  • Roadside Decapitation — Peter swerves to avoid a dead deer, and Charlie is struck by a telephone pole.
• A Grieving Household — The family struggles with Charlie's death and becomes increasingly divided.
  • Peter's Guilt — Peter becomes reclusive and wracked with guilt after Charlie's death.
  • Annie's Resentment — Annie grows bitter toward Peter while Steve tries to mediate between them.
• Joan's Séance — Joan guides Annie toward an attempt to contact Charlie, provoking a frightening supernatural encounter.
  • A New Confidante — Joan befriends Annie at a bereavement support group and suggests a séance.
  • Charlie's Voice — During the séance, objects move and Annie speaks in Charlie's voice.
• The Occult Explanation — Annie's discoveries connect the haunting to Ellen's coven and Paimon's desire for a male host.
  • The Burning Sketchbook — Annie finds threatening images in Charlie's sketchbook and experiences its connection to fire.
  • Paimon's Intended Host — A book describes Paimon and the summoners' promised rewards for providing a male host.
• Peter Becomes the Target — Joan's attempt to prepare Peter for Paimon is followed by an apparent possession at school.
  • Joan's Attempt — Joan tries to expel Peter's spirit from his body for Paimon.
  • Classroom Possession — An unseen force takes over Peter, and he slams his head against a desk.
• The Family's Destruction — The sketchbook's connection to the supernatural contributes to Steve's death and Annie's possession.
  • Steve Burns — Steve catches fire when Annie throws Charlie's sketchbook into the fireplace.
  • Annie's Final Pursuit — Possessed Annie chases Peter and beheads herself with piano wire.
• Paimon's Coronation — Peter survives his fall and is presented to the coven as Paimon's crowned host.
  • The Treehouse Gathering — Peter follows Annie's floating corpse into the treehouse, where the coven is worshipping.
  • King Paimon — Joan places the crown on Peter's head and hails him as King Paimon.

Directed by

Ari Aster

Key Cast

• Toni Collette — Annie Graham
• Alex Wolff — Peter Graham
• Gabriel Byrne — Steve Graham
• Milly Shapiro — Charlie Graham
• Ann Dowd — Joan