Hereditary

In the film’s climax, it’s revealed that Annie’s mother was deeply involved in occult practices centered around summoning the demon Paimon, one of the infernal kings from demonology. The cult’s goal was to have Paimon inhabit a human host to regain power, and they believed Peter was the suitable vessel. However, Annie’s initial attempts to use her son Charlie failed, and she inadvertently set her brother on the path to becoming Paimon’s host. Charlie’s death by decapitation, marked by the symbol of Paimon etched onto the telephone pole, was a pivotal moment that allowed the demon’s spirit to transfer into Peter. This transfer was facilitated by the cult and the presence of other cult members, with Joan helping orchestrate the ritual.

As the story reaches its terrifying conclusion, Annie, who has been struggling with her own mental health and grief throughout, becomes possessed herself. Her role shifts from a grieving mother to a sacrifice that completes Paimon’s resurrection, which she does by cutting off her own head—a symbolic act of offering herself to the demonic forces. With Annie’s sacrifice, Paimon’s spirit fully inhabits Peter’s body, transforming him into the vessel for the demon king. The eerie final scene shows Peter, now possessed and embodying Paimon, trapped in a ritualistic temple while the cult members worship him—culminating in the haunting chant of “Hail Paimon.”

This ending reinforces the film’s themes of trauma, inheritance, and the destructive power of grief, illustrating how the family’s suffering was exploited by cultists for supernatural evil. It suggests that the demon Paimon’s resurrection was both a literal event and a metaphor for the cyclical and destructive nature of trauma, inheritance, and unresolved grief. The film leaves viewers with unsettling questions about what is real—whether the supernatural events are genuine or amplified by mental anguish—and underscores that evil, once unleashed, can perpetuate itself, leaving a devastating mark on the family’s legacy.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59