directed by Ari Aster
Like Hereditary, Midsommar isn't the typical American horror film with jump scares, nubile young students who are killed while having sex, or people who do utterly stupid things just to move the plot forward, though some might disagree with that last point.
Midsommar is similar to the original film version of The Wicker Man, but as soon becomes obvious and as the director has confirmed, much of his film's unease stems not from mayhem (though the ending has that) but rather from the mutual knowledge that a relationship is dying. If you have lived long enough you've probably been both the relationship dumper and the dumpee. Life happens.
Dani (Florence Pugh) is a college student with emotional and psychological problems. She is emotionally needy because of strained relationships with her sister and parents. Dani's phlegmatic grad student boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor), doesn't really know if he still wants to be Dani's special rider.
Christian's friends, Josh (William Jackson Harper), Mark (Will Poulter) and even their Swedish friend Pelle (Vilhelm Bromgren) all think that the time has come for Christian to man up and leave with Dani. Christian is neither sexually nor emotionally satisfied with Dani. The friends plan a trip to Sweden for the Midsummer festival where they will be hosted by Pelle's commune/extended family, a sort of group vaguely described as isolated nature lovers.
Christian's buddies are eager to go, not only to get busy with what they assume will be stereotypically beautiful Swedish women, but also because as anthropology students they want first hand views of traditional Swedish cultures and beliefs. Christian hasn't mentioned this trip to Dani. Christian's friends think this trip is the perfect time for him to break up with Dani.
Sadly though, Dani's troubled sister kills her parents and herself in a murder-suicide. It's bad timing for Christian. Christian can't look himself in the mirror and break up with Dani right now. Dani is a raw pulsating wound of pain and grief. Feeling guilty, Christian invites Dani along on the Swedish trip even though his friends all oppose the idea.
Some people offer them special mushrooms. The film's visual depiction of the impact of psychotropic drugs was inspired.
Everyone seems happy. A young redheaded woman has her eyes on Christian. A different woman is checking out Mark. The elders cheerfully answer many of Josh's questions though they forbid him from taking pictures or using real names.
But when the group witnesses a consensual ritual that is shocking to American sensibilities, Dani wonders if all the tall happy Swedes really have their best interests at heart. It's one thing to read about pagan rituals. It's something else to witness them and deal with people with an utterly different approach to life than the average (ahem) Christian.
Because of the film's time and location there is almost no darkness, except at the beginning when the characters are in America. One might argue that this is meaningful on many different levels. I liked how given the right circumstances, a broad toothy smile and a full sun can be super creepy. The film director identifies with Dani. YMMV on this.
Many of the depicted superstitions, beliefs and practices were taken directly from Swedish or Nordic culture. The movie soundtrack is superb. Creepy stuff. I also like the upside down shots that were reminiscent of similar camera work from The Shining. The film has some gruesome violence and full frontal nudity from both genders. The 150 minute running time was too long for me but that aside, if you're accepting of slow burns punctuated by shocks, this could be worthwhile viewing.
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