Travel, rainbows, bright flowers, and scenes so beautifully colored one might get confused on what kind of movie they’re watching. 2019 brought “Midsommar” with it, where director Ari Aster and actress Florence Pugh take you on an entertaining emotionally confused journey that stirs up uncomfortable feelings and sun-drenched bleak moments that are hard to erase from memory.
Aster’s movie stars Pugh as Dani, a young woman who has suffered a severe family tragedy, who seeks comfort from her already-checked-out boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor).
What starts off as a trip for a few anthropologists (and girlfriend Dani) working on their thesis who travel deep in the mountains of Sweden to study a small culture/commune, turns sour as their trip unexpectedly backfires, as they become part of a 90-year “Midsommar” ritual that the commune celebrates to give back to nature.
There are feasts, psychedelic times, and a sacred tradition I’m sure you’ve already heard of - the dance of the Maypole. What begins as a fun-filled adventurous retreat quickly devolves into a string of bizarre traditions at the hands of a pagan cult. I don’t want to give it away, but you will surely not be disappointed with the ending, with a smiley new May Queen.
Filled with unexpected twists and turns, “Midsommar” will leave you feeling a bit, well … twisty, and maybe a little shook up inside, but in an inquisitively satisfying way. Aster and cast bring forth a unique and new take on drama/folk horror unlike anything before it.
You can find this film streaming on Amazon Prime, Youtube, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies.
If you’re a Rotten Tomatoes fan, know that this movie scored an 83%!
Perhaps you're familiar with Aster's work already, such as his well-known film “Hereditary.” However, unlike this previous film, one does not leave this movie afraid of the monsters under the bed, the shadows in the dark, or worried of things beyond our human grasp. Rather, you walk away with a taste of bittersweet cloudy curiosity in your mouth, and completely unafraid of what might be lurking about in the dark when you go to bed.
In comparison, where “Hereditary” was filled with a vibe-conveying darkness, shadows, and the unknown, “Midsommar” is filled with some of the most beautiful sunshiney, green, fluorescent scenery that is filled with the sounds of flutes and birds, with a splash of dark paganism culture.
Created in 2019, this movie is one of my top five favorites. It’s compelling and completely opposite vibes of what is actually happening makes it a gamechanger in the horror industry. If you watch this movie from an anthropological point of view, it is absolutely fascinating. Histories of various cultures throughout the world have been known for their sacrificial ceremonies, to give back to “nature gods” or “demigods.” Based off the rather harmless European “Midsommer” festival, Aster brings forth a new possibility for this ceremony.
This film it is nothing less than that -- an ancient ceremony. If you like learning about other cultures and their history, regardless of their realism, this movie surely will not disappoint. However largely less gruesome than the majority of drama/folk horror labels films, there are just a couple gruesome scenes. But never fear, if you get queasy out at the strict sign of blood, you’ll only be bothered by two scenes.
In an interview with Makado Murphy and published by the New York Times, Aster said,
“These people speak a language of empathy, which is something that is missing in Dani’s life. There are several scenes that could be read as just horrific. Or they could also be read as therapeutic for the character, where she is encouraged to face the unfaceable.”
The question-and-answer story continued,
"You have called “Midsommar” a breakup movie, although this one has a bit more brutality and sacrifice than, say, “The Way We Were.”
“I’m a big lover of melodrama. And one tradition of melodrama is having the scope of a story match whatever the characters are feeling. So I wanted to make a breakup movie that felt as big as breakups tend to feel, which is cataclysmic, because a big part of your world is now gone. So I wanted to make this big operatic, apocalyptic breakup film.”
A review by the New York Times said, “It’s fun, at first, partly because something feels distinctly off, like milk that’s just gone bad. (You don’t know how bad until you taste it.) Christian’s Swedish friend Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren) doesn’t offer any clues. So Christian, Mark and their not-brainy enough pal Josh (William Jackson Harper) scope out the scene and the locals. The women are friendly, and numerous. And while their dances look picturesque there’s an undercurrent of intensity and purpose that starts chipping away at the peaceful vibe.”
Drama/Folk Horror has never been a favorite category of mine. In fact in comparison, my number one favorite movie is “Land of Lost” starring comedy-driven Will Ferrell. If you know anything about this movie, it’s completely harmless and fills the room with laughter.
But “Midsommar” brings forth my love for and curiosity of anthropology, decorated with some of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever watched. I say it’s a must-see for anyone who can stomach a little movie-esque sacrifice in exchange for curiosity.
At a Glance:
Midsommar
Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and William Jackson Harper.
Summary: Couple and friends travel to Sweden to observe their infamous “Midsommar” festival.
Rated: Rating: R (drug use|disturbing ritual violence|strong sexual content|graphic nudity|grisly images|language)
Genre: Mystery and thriller, horror, drama.
Streaming on: Amazon Prime, Youtube, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies.
Distributor: A24 (USA), Nordisk Film (Sweden)
Rating: *****
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