Hereditary: The Architecture of Lack of Control

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Modern horror is too often built in post-production. Directors rely on the invisible hand of digital effects to generate dread, rather than building it into the physical space. Ari Aster’s Hereditary operates differently. Aster and his production designer, Grace Yun, understood that true terror does not come from what is hiding in the shadows; it comes from realizing that the walls themselves have been constructed to trap you.

The 1:12 Scale Puzzle

The film heavily features intricate dioramas created by the protagonist, Annie Graham. To execute this, the production brought in Toronto-based visual effects artist Steve Newburn and his team. They constructed these miniatures at a strict 1:12 scale—the industry standard for traditional dollhouses. C’est pratique. If time ran short, they could source compatible, pre-made components.

Set Design on The CineBlog

Hereditary: The Architecture of Lack of Control

The 1:12 Scale Puzzle