Ari Aster Reveals Prequel Plans for Horror Hit ‘Hereditary

Director Ari Aster has written a prequel to his 2018 horror film Hereditary but currently has no plans to film the project. Speaking during a Q&A session on June 7, 2026, following a screening at the Egyptian Theatre, Aster confirmed the script exists but stated that the timing for production has not felt right. According to reports from Variety and Gold Derby, the filmmaker remains undecided on whether the story will ever reach the screen.

Why is the Hereditary prequel not in production?

Ari Aster indicated that the primary obstacle to producing the prequel is a lack of timing. While the screenplay is completed, Aster noted during the June 7 event that the project has not found its ideal moment to move forward. He expressed a hesitation to force the production of the story simply because the script exists.

I wrote a prequel to this. It never feels like the right time. It’s a prequel.

Ari Aster

This cautious approach aligns with Aster’s history of focusing on singular, atmospheric visions rather than expanding franchises. By keeping the prequel as a written piece rather than a produced film, Aster maintains the self-contained nature of the original 2018 narrative.

What is the legacy of Hereditary and A24?

Released in 2018 and distributed by A24, Hereditary served as Ari Aster’s directorial debut. The film is widely credited with helping define a wave of psychological horror that prioritized grief and familial trauma over traditional jump scares. Its success established a partnership between Aster and A24 that continued with later projects such as Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid.

The film’s enduring popularity, evidenced by the Egyptian Theatre screening on June 7, 2026, suggests a continued audience interest in the lore of the Graham family and the occult elements introduced in the first movie. The revelation of a prequel script provides a rare glimpse into the expanded mythology Aster envisioned for the story.

How does this fit into Ari Aster’s career trajectory?

Aster’s reluctance to shoot the prequel reflects a broader industry trend where directors of high-concept horror avoid the pitfalls of unnecessary sequels. Since 2018, Aster has moved toward increasingly complex and surrealist storytelling. The stark contrast between the tight, claustrophobic horror of Hereditary and the expansive, chaotic nature of his later work suggests his creative interests have evolved beyond the specific framework of the Hereditary prequel.

While the script remains in Aster’s possession, there are no official studio announcements from A24 regarding a production timeline. The filmmaker’s comments on June 7 suggest that for now, the prequel will remain an unproduced piece of the Hereditary canon.