Nobody puts baillee in the corner

I saw Hereditary for the first time alone in a theater, and I honestly think it was for the better. I had the chance to reflect on it before discussing it with anyone, and I was able to connect it to my own experiences without any outside influence. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rewatched it since (including today), and I always notice something different because Ari Aster is incredible; however, the main theme of questioning whether or not you can escape your genetics always remains the same. While I absolutely think you can’t escape genetics, I do think you CAN escape your familial binds and fate. 

You can inherit one of your parents’ eyes or one of your parents’ noses, but you don’t have to live in the town your parents did. You can have one of your parents’  laugh or one of your parents’ sense of humor, but you don’t have to follow the same timeline of milestones your parents did. You could receive one of your parents’  smile or one of your parents’ dimples, but you don’t have to go to the same college your parents did. You can be your own person. You can follow your own path (as long as you don’t hurt yourself or others). You can shape your own destiny. 

You can also cut out toxic family members that harm you or project their insecurities on you (especially if it’s worshipping one of the eight kings of Hell). You can disagree with your family. You’re allowed to have your own voice. You can decide who you want to be. Just because you’re reading this with your parents’ eyes doesn’t mean you have to read this with your parents’ ideology. You are a genetic fusion of your parents, but you are something entirely new. Embrace that. 

If you want to follow the path forged for you, great! If you want to follow a different path, that’s also great! If you want to blend the two, that’s also also great! Don’t feel trapped or helpless. You can create a life for yourself. Find your happiness. Find your place. Find yourself. Just maybe try to avoid becoming possessed while you do it.