Ari Aster Has Written a Prequel to One of the Best Horror Movies of the 2010s (But There’s a Catch)

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Ari Aster quickly became a major name in horror with his first film, Hereditary, released in 2018. The movie, starring Toni Collette as a mother dealing with grief and a terrifying secret, received incredible reviews. Critics loved how Aster built suspense and the powerful performances he got from the actors. Hereditary was also a financial success, earning over $90 million worldwide despite only costing $10 million to make – making it A24’s most profitable film at the time. Over the years, the movie’s reputation has continued to grow, and it’s often ranked among the best horror films of the 2010s, sometimes even overshadowing Aster’s later work like Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid, and Eddington. It’s not surprising, then, that Aster is thinking about making a prequel to Hereditary.

During a recent Q&A session at the American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week event (as reported by GoldDerby), director Ari Aster shared that he’s already written a prequel to his film Hereditary. He explained that while the script is finished, he’s unsure if he’ll ever make it, noting it’s a prequel and not a sequel. Despite Hereditary’s success, Aster admitted he has mixed feelings about it. He finds the attention somewhat frustrating, as he strives to improve with each film and feels increasingly proud of his newer work, even though it hasn’t received the same level of positive response. He acknowledges the film’s lasting impact and is pleased that it continues to resonate with audiences, with more people expressing their love for it than any of his other movies.

Should Ari Aster Make a Hereditary Prequel?

A prequel to Ari Aster’s Hereditary makes good business sense. Hereditary was a big success, earning $90 million in theaters, but his subsequent films have earned less: Midsommar made $48 million, Beau is Afraid only $11.1 million, and Eddington around $13.7 million – which was still considered a flop. Aster’s more recent films have also been more expensive to make (around $35 million for Beau is Afraid and $25 million for Eddington), meaning he’s lost money on them. Critical reception has also declined: Hereditary has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 83% for Midsommar, 67% for Beau is Afraid, and 69% for Eddington. Aster is correct to acknowledge that his films are showing a pattern of decreasing success.

Ari Aster isn’t a traditional commercial filmmaker, and that’s what makes his best movies so special. Films like Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid, and even Eddington are compelling because they don’t offer simple answers or straightforward plots. Aster isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of filmmaking, which sometimes results in unsettling and confusing scenes. While not every experiment works, these risks are essential to his most successful films. If he ever decides to make a prequel to Hereditary, it should be driven by a desire to explore new ideas and a genuine connection to the story. Otherwise, he risks losing his distinctive style by prioritizing typical Hollywood goals.

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2026-06-09 16:10