Hereditary, alongside Midsommar, two movies that put the film production studio A24 on the map. If you’re a fan of horror movies, you’ve probably heard of Hereditary. And if you haven’t, well, consider yourself warned: this film is not for the faint of heart.
Directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary is a deeply unsettling film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. From ghostly apparitions to gruesome deaths, this movie has it all. But beneath the surface, Hereditary is much more than just, uh, cheap jumpscares and tacky sounds. It’s a poignant exploration of how death can pierce an impact on a family. Its realistic depiction of grief and mental health breakdown left fans astounded.
Don’t let the horror elements fool you – this is a movie with real depth and emotional resonance. And if you’re looking for more horror stories that tackle similar themes, here are eight horror novels that’ll keep you immersed. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on.
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
Revolving around the secrets and tragedies that haunt a family over the course of multiple generations, both Hereditary and The Winter People draw a sense of mysterious and inherited family trauma. Set in the present day, the story follows a teenaged girl named Ruthie, who moved to a new farmhouse with her mother and sister in a remote town in Vermont. As her mother goes missing, she begins to uncover the horrifying history of her place. The novel is atmospheric and eerie, with a sense of foreboding that will keep you turning the pages late into the night with the lights on.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham
It has been getting a lot of buzz lately and for good reason, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham is compared with Hereditary for its ability to blend supernatural elements with character-driven storytelling. In this horror novel, four Native American friends are forced to confront a terrifying entity from their past when they are each stalked and killed by a mysterious force. As they struggle to survive, they are forced to confront their own personal demons and the secrets they’ve been keeping from each other.
TOGI is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the Native American folklore adds an extra layer of eeriness to the story. It makes a great match for horror lit fans looking to get absorbed by harrowing stories that are grounded in real-world cultural traditions. And like Hereditary, the writing is just as unnerving and atmospheric, with a creeping sense of dread that will
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
The Elementals, like Hereditary, introduces the viewer or in this case the reader to the story with a funeral of a key figure in the family. This ‘81 novel concerns two families, the McCrays and Savages who retreat to their beachfront properties in Alabama after the passing of their matriarch. There they will be haunted by strange, supernatural occurrences that seem to be connected to a group of mysterious, elemental beings. Similar to Hereditary, this novel delves into the psychological torment of its characters and the ways in which their past actions come back to haunt them.
With spine-tingling suspense and heart-pumping action it’s certain that’ll feed your horror craving with the same creep Hereditary did.
A Head Full Of Ghost by Paul Tremblay
If you miss the family drama featured in the Graham family, then look no further than this horror novel written by Paul Tremblay. A Head Full of Ghosts tells the story of the Barretts, who are struggling to make ends meet and keep their heads above water. When the family’s teenage daughter, Marjorie, begins exhibiting strange and disturbing behavior, they turn to a reality TV show for help. But as the show’s crew digs deeper into Marjorie’s condition, they uncover a sinister force at work that threatens to tear the family apart.
Both families suffer from psychotic mental conditions that they can’t escape from, and depicted in a terrifying realistic way, A Head Full Of Ghost is worthy of a read.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
I’m sure everyone still has clear memories about just how creepy the house in Hereditary is. House of Leaves takes place in a labyrinth-esque setting backdrop for spooky action, it follows the story of a young man named Johnny Truant, who becomes obsessed with a mysterious and seemingly absurd documentary manuscript called “The Navidson Record,” which documents the exploration of a house that is larger on the inside than it appears on the outside.
As Johnny delves deeper into the mystery of the film, he becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, and the novel becomes a meditation on the nature of reality, perception, and the power of the imagination.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
If you just can’t get enough from the psychological thrills of Hereditary, then you’re going to want to get your hands on Pet Sematary by Stephen King. This Spine-tingly chilling tale follows the Creed family as they move to a new home in rural Maine and discover a mysterious burial ground hidden in the woods. When tragedy strikes, the family turns to occult rituals and uses the mysterious powers of the sematary to bring their loved ones back to life. But as they soon learn, some things are better left buried, and the consequences of playing with death can be deadly.
The monstrous creatures in Stephen King’s work are driven by a primal urge to hunt and overpower, being reminiscent of the legend King Paimon in Hereditary.
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley
You probably still have vivid memories of the lingering unease while watching “Hereditary”, “Loney” by Andrew Michael Hurley offer similar feelings. This atmospheric novel captivates your soul with its gripping narrative. Just as “Hereditary” takes us on a twisted descent into supernatural forces and hidden legacies, “The Loney” immerses us in the atmospheric marshlands of the English coastline. It follows a devoutly religious family on their annual pilgrimage to the isolated beach known as the Loney.
What binds these two tales together is the theme of pilgrimage, of venturing into the unknown in search of answers and redemption. Both stories confront us with the terrifying consequences of unearthing truths that should have remained buried. Immerse yourself into the eerie world of secrets, rituals, and the unfathomable depths of human nature as you traverse the pages of “The loney” By Andrew Hurley.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
In the wild and wicked world of The Last Days of Jack Spark, the narrative is a rollercoaster of thrills and chills, akin to a literary carnival ride that never loses its momentum. Arnopp crafts a tale that transcends the conventional boundaries of horror and comedy, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. Jack Sparks, a self-absorbed journalist on a mission to debunk the paranormal, becomes the unlikely protagonist in a story that takes unexpected twists and turns. Much like Hereditary, they both plunge into psychological horror, unraveling characters amidst supernatural intrigue.
Hereditary explores family secrets, while Jack’s skepticism in Last Days spirals into his own madness. These narratives defy conventional horror, blending psychological complexity and unexpected twists, making readers active participants in the unsettling exploration of the human psyche.
