As someone who relishes the shivers and shakes that only a well-crafted horror film can induce, I found myself surprisingly unnerved by the portrayal of inherited trauma in the 2022 horror film Matriarch. It’s rare for a film to cling to your psyche not just for the frights it delivers. I was here for the unsettling truths the film unveils about our lives and our inherited legacies. Matriarch‘s creepy hallways lead us into a place of cultural and psychological relevance that begs further investigation.
The Cultural and Psychological Significance of Inherited Trauma in Horror
Matriarch is steeped in British folklore and sinister occult practices. It is a narrative embroiled in the struggle between the sacred and the profane and between pagan beliefs and the sanctity of the familial bond. The film is also a commentary on the cultural clash between old-world superstitions and the modern struggle for psychological liberation. To appreciate the significance of the film’s exploration into inherited trauma, we must first recognize horror’s position as a mirror to society’s deepest fears and darkest secrets.
Horror films have long served as a medium for depicting the anxieties of the era. These can be the nuclear paranoia of the 1950s or the biohazard scares of the late 20th century. On the other hand, the terror in Matriarch is not external. The fear is rather intrinsic to the protagonist’s character. Inherited trauma, or transgenerational trauma, is a concept that has gained traction in psychological circles over the past few decades.
Studies suggest that the traumas experienced by one generation can be passed down to younger family members. Furthermore, these traumas influence the behaviors, fears, and even the mental health of subsequent generations. Matriarch explores this theme with harrowing intimacy, portraying how the protagonist, Laura, grapples with the unseen scars left by her mother’s tumultuous past.
Mother, May I? The Daughter-Mother Relationship in Matriarch
Central to Matriarch is the complex and often fraught relationship between Laura and her mother. This dynamic serves as the crucible for the film’s exploration of inherited trauma. It highlights how the mother’s sins are visited upon the daughter. The portrayal of this relationship evokes a sense of dread that is all too familiar for many of us.
The influence of Laura’s mother extends beyond mere narrative convenience. It shapes every facet of Laura’s character and actions. Laura hesitates to form close relationships and struggles with drugs. The specter of her inherited trauma looms large. It’s proof of the film’s thoughtful character development that we, as viewers, come to understand Laura’s fears not as irrational but as the inevitable consequence of her lineage.
Laura, played by Jemima Rooper, is a revelation. The devastating mental abuse and neglect inflicted upon her by her mother—Celia (Kate Dickie)—form the fabric of her traumatic character. The two performers turn the picture into an examination of character and consequence rather than just a horror flick. The scars left by a mother’s malice are evident in Laura’s adult life, which is plagued by substance abuse and a desperate longing for connection.
The Viewer’s Reflection
One of Matriarch‘s strongest points is how it forces viewers to look in the mirror and face their ancestral scars. This self-reflection is unnerving because it makes us realize we all have hidden baggage. Moreover, the unsettling thing about the film isn’t the supernatural creatures but rather the thought that the true horror might just be in the stories we inherit from our parents. Additionally, motherhood is not sanctified but scrutinized in the film. It’s a role fraught with the potential for harm. Here, love and care are twisted into control and manipulation.
The film presents a chilling question: What if the very source of life becomes a wellspring of terror? Today, the theme of inherited trauma in Matriarch resonates deeply in our current cultural moment. We are in an age where discussions around mental health and generational curses are becoming more mainstream. And this film serves as a commentary on the unseen forces that shape our lives. It’s a story that feels particularly relevant in the wake of a global pandemic where the collective traumas of today will undoubtedly echo into the lives of tomorrow.
Streaming Now on Hulu and Disney Plus
For those brave enough to confront the spectral echoes of their own inherited traumas, Matriarch is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus. Watch it, if you dare, and be prepared to face the horrors lurking in your family tree.
