Directed by Ari Aster, who also did Hereditary 2018 . Normally, names of Directors and whatnot doesn’t stick with me, but after watching Midsommar, Ari Aster’s name was deeply embedded on my memory. The whole film is centered on the festivities of their friend’s “small community”, it is a 9-day midsommar celebration that only occurs every 90 years. Most of the main cast are anthropology graduate students, thus making this celebration a unique treat for them, and would for a wonderful article.

Usually in horror films, the audience dreads when the sun sets and corners of the room darkens. Just the thought of it makes them shudder in fear and the horror that awaits.

In Midsommar however, majority of the film are shot at daytime, the first deaths that occurred was so out of the blue, and the people around them acted so ordinary that it shook them. They wasn’t even sure if it was staged or not. The build up to it was so fluid that even the audience weren’t aware of what was about to happen. People come and go, dropping like flies, yet they don’t give out a terrifying sense of death, it was a festival, a celebration of their culture, and a festival we shall have.

It doesn’t offer much action scenes like you would see in a slasher or paranormal film. Nevertheless, my eyes were glued to the screen even though not much was happening. Every detail of the film had a purpose, a meaning, a hint of what’s to come; from the wall murals, to their tapestries. It was a very unsettling film, yet very immersive that you’d want to see more.

It was a visual and audio experience. This is the first time I’d describe a film as “A psychedelic experience”. Top notch cinematography; every element that they incorporated here had a purpose, from the moment they arrived at the camp settlement, it was paradise. You’d feel warm and light, like nothing can ever go wrong. But all of those were a distraction, and a very effective one. Even when someone dies, no matter how gruesome, the film doesn’t let up it’s festive mood. You won’t feel like you’re in any danger yourself.

Florence Pugh’s performance was impeccable, her facial expressions were captivating, and I was really drawn to how she was feeling during the dancing part. Her terrified expression perfectly captures the moment. However, the film will devoid the audience of this feeling. In some way, no matter how horrified she was, they still manage to not let the audience feel what she feels. If that makes any sense.

The intro tragedy was a very good building block to start her psychological nightmare of a trip. All the other cast members also did their part and no one felt like they didn’t belong, even the grannies in the tent during the “planting of the seed” ceremony, it was a very disturbing scene and one that I felt was necessary.

Pugh’s smile felt cathartic. That end scene of Midsommar will forever remain in my memory as one of the best endings I’ve experienced in a long while. No matter how wrong it was, it felt deserving and somewhat satisfying. The end scene of Midsommar and Pearl (2022) are definitely up there. It contains some gore scenes and full nudity. Midsommar is a disturbing film and definitely not for everyone.