Horror is on a real upswing, and the latest movie that's go everyone's attention is Hereditary. Released in theaters this weekend, Hereditary is a supernatural horror that feels old school and has drawn comparisons to the likes of The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby. The movie has received very positive reviews from critics and horror movie buffs, which is why it's pretty surprising that audience members are hating it big time. Hereditary has a D+ CinemaScore, meaning that film is leaving some moviegoers polarized.
For those who may not know, CinemaScore is a rating system based on audience reactions after they have left the theater, as opposed to Rotten Tomatoes, which measures professional film reviews. There's some debate as to how important it is to have a positive CinemaScore, but the majority of movies typically receive an A, B, or C ranking. In this regard, Hereditary getting a D is notable because the critic reviews have been very positive. CinemaBlend's own Sean O'Connell gave the horror movie 4.5 stars, while Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 94% (and a less excited audience score of 73%).
So, why is CinemaScore reporting that audiences aren't too hot for this movie? Well, there could be a few reasons. For one thing, CinemaScore doesn't tend to be a good source to review horror movies, because that genre can tend to be pretty polarizing. Either you love it or you don't. Not everyone loves to see lots of gore or get spooked out of their boots. Secondly, Hereditary is a slow burn horror film, meaning audiences really have to be in it for the long haul and wait until the back half of the film before things start getting REAL. The VVitch was in a similar situation when it first came out.
Lastly, Hereditary doesn't seem like a movie that was made for everyone to fall in love with. It's kind of like the reaction to mother!, which received the rare F CinemaScore, but Hereditary is not quite as polarizing. It seems like horror fans have really taken to the movie, though, so that means that it's playing well with the real target audience. A D+ ranking doesn't mean the movie is bad, just that it's really only appealing to a certain demographic of movie fans.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether Hereditary is right for you and the only way to do that is to see it. The movie is out in theaters right now and waiting for you to either hate it or love it. If horror isn't your cup of tea, then see what else is coming down the road with our 2018 movie guide.
