Writer-director Ari Aster confirmed to Gold Derby that he has completed a prequel script for his 2018 horror film Hereditary, noting that it never seems to be the right moment to proceed. the original A24 release earned more than $90 million globally and holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, as the studio rides a wave of horror box-office momentum with titles like Backrooms and Obsession.

The $90 million legacy that a prequel would inherit

According to the source , Hereditary became A24's highest-grossing film at the time of its release, surpassing the studio's previous record-holder Lady Bird. Its critical reception was equally strong: a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with particular praise for Toni Collette's performance and Ari Aster's direction. The financial and cultural weight of that legacy means any prequel would face sky-high expectations from both fans and critics.

The horror genre as a whole is thriving at the box office, and A24 has been a major beneficiary. As the report notes, the studio's recent successes include Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, and Obsession from Curry Barker. This hot streak creates a favorable environment for a Hereditary prequel, but also raises the stakes: a misstep could tarnish the original's reputation.

Ari Aster's 'it never feels like the right time' dilemma

Speaking to Gold Derby, Aster said: "I wrote a preuqel to this. It never feels like the right time. It's a prequel, not a sequel, so I don't know where this goes." The director's words reveal both creativity and hesitation. Having directed four major films for A24 — Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid, and the upcoming Eddington — Aster's schedule is crowded, and his artistic instincts may be pulling him in other directions.

The ambiguity around timing is the story's central tension. Aster has not indicated a production timeline, and his uncertainty suggests the prequel is not an active priority. Fans of the original may have to wait years — if it ever arrives at all.

From Hereditary to Backrooms: A24's horror factory

A24's horror slate has become a cultural and commercial engine. The source highlights Backrooms as a viral sensation, directed by a 20-year-old filmmaker, and Obsession from Curry Barker as part of the trend. These films prove that A24 can generate buzz from both established auteurs and emerging voices, making the studio a powerful home for genre storytelling.

In this context, a Hereditary prequel would be a major event — a return to one of the studio's foundatioonal hits. But it would also compete with a growing roster of A24 horror projects, each vying for audience attention. The prequel's place in that lineup remains unclear.

What the prequel could still keep secret

Several key questions are left unanswered by the source. First, no casting or character details have been announced — will the prequel explore the Graham family's earlier tragedies, or introduce entirely new characters? Second, the source does not specify a plot timeframe: does the prequel take place decades before the original, or only a few years prior? Third, there is no mention of a production schedule or whether A24 has greenlit the project. Aster's script exists,but that is all we know.

The source also reports only Aster's side. Neither A24 nor any cast members have commented. The prequel's fate depends on factors beyond Aster's creative impulse — studio decisions, budget constraints, and market timing all play a role.