Ari Aster: Deconstructing Trauma Through Horror Film - A Deep Dive
Ari Aster: The Architect of Trauma in Horror Cinema
Ari Aster has swiftly risen to prominence as a defining voice in contemporary horror. Unlike filmmakers who rely solely on jump scares and cheap thrills, Aster crafts deeply unsettling and psychologically complex narratives that burrow under the skin. His films, most notably Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), are characterized by their meticulous attention to detail, striking visuals, and, most importantly, their unflinching exploration of trauma, grief, and dysfunctional family dynamics. This article delves into the unique cinematic lens through which Aster examines these themes, exploring the artistic choices, narrative structures, and underlying psychology that make his work so impactful.
The Unflinching Gaze: Trauma as Narrative Core
At the heart of Aster's films lies the raw, visceral experience of trauma. He doesn't shy away from depicting the agonizing realities of grief, loss, and mental illness. Instead, he places these experiences front and center, using them as the driving force behind his narratives. Hereditary, for example, opens with the death of Annie Graham's (Toni Collette) mother, and the film relentlessly explores the ripple effects of this loss on Annie, her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), and their children, Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro). The film masterfully uses the supernatural elements to amplify the existing family tensions and expose the deep-seated wounds that fester beneath the surface.
Similarly, Midsommar follows Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh), a young woman grappling with the horrific loss of her entire family. In her grief, she accompanies her emotionally distant boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor), and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish commune for a midsummer festival. What begins as an attempt to escape her pain quickly descends into a nightmarish exploration of ritualistic violence and psychological manipulation. Aster uses the idyllic setting of the commune to create a jarring juxtaposition with the disturbing events that unfold, highlighting the vulnerability of Dani and her descent into madness.
Deconstructing the Family Unit: A Breeding Ground for Horror
The family unit, traditionally portrayed as a source of comfort and security, is frequently depicted as a source of immense pain and suffering in Aster's films. He skillfully deconstructs the idealized image of the family, exposing the complex and often toxic relationships that lie beneath. In Hereditary, the Graham family is plagued by secrets, resentment, and unresolved trauma that spans generations. Annie's strained relationship with her mother, her troubled marriage with Steve, and her complicated feelings towards her children all contribute to the family's unraveling.
Midsommar, while seemingly focused on Dani's individual grief, also explores the dysfunctional dynamics within Christian's friend group. The group's lack of empathy, their competitive nature, and their inability to support Dani during her time of need contribute to her isolation and vulnerability. Aster uses the commune as a microcosm of a twisted family structure, where traditional roles and expectations are subverted and manipulated to serve the commune's sinister purposes.
Visual Storytelling: A Symphony of Dread
Aster is a master of visual storytelling, using every element of mise-en-scène, cinematography, and editing to create a palpable sense of dread and unease. His films are visually stunning, but they are also meticulously crafted to enhance the psychological impact of the narrative.
- Mise-en-scène: Aster pays meticulous attention to detail, creating visually rich and symbolic environments. In Hereditary, the Graham family's dollhouse becomes a recurring motif, representing Annie's controlling nature and the family's predetermined fate. In Midsommar, the brightly lit, idyllic setting of the commune serves as a stark contrast to the disturbing events that unfold, creating a sense of unease and disorientation.
- Cinematography: Aster's use of cinematography is equally striking. He employs long takes, unsettling camera angles, and deliberate pacing to build tension and create a sense of claustrophobia. The use of slow zooms and pans in Hereditary draws the viewer into the characters' emotional states, while the wide-angle shots in Midsommar emphasize the vastness and isolation of the Swedish countryside.
- Editing: The editing in Aster's films is deliberate and precise, contributing to the overall sense of unease and disorientation. He uses jump cuts, quick cuts, and slow dissolves to create a sense of dreamlike unreality, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
Sound Design: Amplifying the Unseen
Beyond the visuals, sound design plays a crucial role in amplifying the psychological impact of Aster's films. He masterfully uses sound to create a sense of dread, unease, and impending doom. The unsettling score, composed by Colin Stetson in Hereditary and Bobby Krlic (The Haxan Cloak) in Midsommar, is characterized by its dissonant harmonies, unsettling drones, and unconventional instrumentation. Aster also uses silence effectively, creating moments of intense anticipation and amplifying the impact of sudden, violent events.
Consider the clicking sound associated with Charlie in Hereditary. It's a seemingly innocuous sound, but it becomes increasingly unsettling as the film progresses, serving as a constant reminder of her presence and her connection to the supernatural forces at play. Similarly, the unsettling chanting and folk music in Midsommar create a sense of cultural otherness and contribute to the film's overall atmosphere of dread.
Psychological Realism: Grounding the Supernatural
While Aster's films often incorporate elements of the supernatural, they are ultimately grounded in psychological realism. The characters' reactions to trauma, grief, and loss are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance, making them relatable and believable, even in the most extreme circumstances. He avoids simplistic portrayals of mental illness, instead exploring the complex and multifaceted nature of human suffering.
In Hereditary, Annie's struggles with grief and mental illness are depicted with honesty and compassion. Her sleepwalking, her volatile mood swings, and her feelings of guilt and resentment are all portrayed as genuine responses to the trauma she has experienced. Similarly, in Midsommar, Dani's emotional breakdown is depicted with empathy and understanding. Her descent into madness is portrayed as a natural consequence of the overwhelming grief and isolation she experiences.
Themes and Motifs: Recurring Patterns of Trauma
Several recurring themes and motifs run throughout Aster's filmography, further emphasizing his interest in exploring trauma and its impact on individuals and families.
- Loss of Control: Characters in Aster's films often struggle with a sense of powerlessness, feeling as though they are being manipulated by forces beyond their control. This is particularly evident in Hereditary, where the Graham family is revealed to be pawns in a supernatural plot.
- Predestination vs. Free Will: The question of whether individuals are free to make their own choices or are simply puppets of fate is a recurring theme in Aster's work. Hereditary explicitly explores the idea of predestination, while Midsommar raises questions about the extent to which Dani is able to make her own decisions in the face of overwhelming grief and manipulation.
- The Burden of Inheritance: Aster's characters often grapple with the legacy of trauma and dysfunction that has been passed down through generations. This is particularly evident in Hereditary, where the Graham family is haunted by the secrets and unresolved issues of their ancestors.
- The Allure of Cults: Both Hereditary and Midsommar feature characters who are drawn to cult-like organizations, suggesting a fascination with the appeal of belonging and the potential for manipulation within such groups.
Influence and Inspiration: Echoes of the Masters
Aster's work draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including classic horror films, psychological dramas, and art house cinema. He has cited directors such as Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, and Nicolas Roeg as major influences, and their impact can be seen in his films' exploration of complex psychological themes, their visually striking imagery, and their unconventional narrative structures.
Specifically, Bergman's exploration of grief, faith, and existential angst in films like Persona and Cries and Whispers resonates with Aster's own exploration of these themes. Kubrick's meticulous attention to detail, his use of unsettling imagery, and his exploration of the dark side of human nature in films like The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut also serve as touchstones for Aster's work. Roeg's use of fragmented narratives, jarring editing, and psychological realism in films like Don't Look Now and Performance similarly inform Aster's approach to filmmaking.
Criticism and Controversy: Dividing Audiences
Aster's films have been met with both critical acclaim and intense controversy, dividing audiences with their graphic violence, unsettling themes, and ambiguous endings. Some critics have praised his films for their originality, their psychological depth, and their masterful use of cinematic techniques. Others have criticized them for their gratuitous violence, their lack of narrative coherence, and their exploitation of sensitive subject matter.
The graphic violence in Hereditary, particularly the infamous decapitation scene, has been a major point of contention for some viewers. Similarly, the disturbing rituals and acts of violence depicted in Midsommar have been criticized as being exploitative and gratuitous. However, Aster has defended his use of violence, arguing that it is necessary to convey the full horror of the characters' experiences and to explore the dark side of human nature.
The Future of Ari Aster: What Lies Ahead?
With only three feature films under his belt (including his 2023 film Beau is Afraid), Ari Aster has already established himself as a major force in contemporary horror cinema. His unique cinematic lens, his unflinching exploration of trauma, and his masterful use of cinematic techniques have garnered him a devoted following and cemented his place as one of the most exciting and innovative filmmakers working today.
His film Beau is Afraid further solidifies this view. This film is a surreal and unsettling journey into the mind of Beau Wassermann, a man grappling with anxiety, paranoia, and a dysfunctional relationship with his overbearing mother. The film blends elements of dark comedy, psychological horror, and absurdist drama to create a truly unique and unsettling cinematic experience. It further explores themes of trauma, family, and the anxieties of modern life. While divisive, Beau is Afraid demonstrates Aster's continued commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging audiences.
As audiences await his next project, one thing remains certain: Ari Aster will continue to challenge, provoke, and unsettle viewers with his unique and unflinching vision of the human condition. He is a filmmaker who is not afraid to confront the darkest aspects of human nature, and his films are a testament to the power of cinema to explore the complexities of trauma, grief, and the human experience.