Review: Midsommar
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Dani (Florence Pugh) has been going through a lot emotionally. Her boyfriend, Christian (Jack Raynor) wants to break up with her, but keeps putting it off. His friends are mostly assholes about it too. When they plan on going to Sweden for a festival, Christian reluctantly invites Dani along. Saying things get weird is an understatement.
Ari Aster has really made a name for himself in the past few years. His brand of horror is weird and very psychological. He's not just interested in gore, he's interested in emotions and this film is very in line with what he's done in the past.
Midsommar is the prettiest nightmare you'll ever see. Its full of flowers and sunlight. It never once gets dark and gloomy, even though the subject matter certainly calls for it. Florence Pugh gives an amazing performance. Dani suffers from panic attacks and the way they're portrayed here was so realistic. This is easily one of the best performances of the year so far. Pugh and Lupita Nyong'o for Us are currently the Best Actress queens. The rest of the cast is great. Jack Raynor and Will Poulter are always reliable as well.
The thing about this film - I loved it - but this isn't going to be something I'd recommend to everyone. I learned that after watching Hereditary. Nearly everyone in my blogging life loved that, but everyone I recommended it to in real life hated it. Midsommar is a lot like Hereditary. It's a bit like The Babbadok as well. If you didn't like either of those, I don't think you'll care for this. A lot happens off screen and there's a fair amount of ambiguity that I know doesn't work for everyone.
The things that happen off screen at times weaken it a bit. This film has a hefty run time, which you really don't feel when watching it but for how many minutes they have, I think had they wanted to delve more into horror, they could've shown a few more terrifying things.
Recommended: Yes
Grade: A-
Memorable Quote: "Does he make you feel like home?" - Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren)
I think Hereditary and The Babadook are farrrrr superior movies
ReplyDeleteI think I may slightly prefer this to Hereditary but I'm not sure. I need to sit with it for a while.
DeleteI never thought I would be so hyped to see a horror but I can't wait to see this tonight. I'm really glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it!
DeleteWhat happened off screen that weakened it for you? But I'm glad you liked it overall!
ReplyDeleteWhat happened off screen that weakened it for you? But I'm glad you liked it overall!
ReplyDeleteSPOILERS-
DeleteBasically all the other deaths. I didn't like how a character was led off screen and then how they were reintroduced. It felt kind of like an afterthought.
Ah, dropping by to say that I think we didn't see the "killings" on screen because all the deaths we saw had a meaning. I think the "killing" part itself wasn't significant for them, their bodies/skin yes, but like not the actual killing part. Every death's meaning is elevated by the fact that we actually see it on screen. I think. Like, I have to think it through more, but like, I feel as if it was to show deaths' significance?
DeletePS: This is a nice review! I did like this one a lot too, as I did with Hereditary and I'm very excited to see what Aster comes up next. If Hereditary was meant to be a family drama, and Midsommer a dark comedy, is the next one gonna be a romance movie? :D
Have you seen his short The Strange Thing About The Johnsons? It's on Youtube. I watched it before Hereditary came out and it's fucking weird lol.
DeleteYou're probably right about the reasoning they were off screen. I think I just expected a tiny bit more gore.
Nice review. You scored it higher than I did for sure. It was a really frustrating experience for me. I absolutely loved the first half but thought the final third really lost its way. It seemed far more interested in shock and weirdness than finishing up the story.
ReplyDeleteI can't stop thinking about it even now. Definitely watching again.
DeleteYou guys are so lucky to have seen this! I'll have to wait until next month! I guess we only Hereditary in line with the US cos Collette is Aussie. As for this, i'm counting down the days till the 5th of next month.
ReplyDeleteits funny you say that about Hereditary - everyone I asked about IRL also hated it! Somehow thought it was cheesy!
I'm very intrigued by this contrast of the light vs the dark plot you speak of. Arggh this month needs to fly by!!
I think FilmTwitter handles ambiguous endings better than the general audience does. That was the main complaint I got about Hereditary even though I thought the ending worked really well.
DeleteDamn release dates, the entire world should always get movies at the same time.
Hehe, 'FilmTwitter', I'd never heard that term till I read your top ten stuff about blogging post! I agree tho about Hereditary, though I --really-- need to rewatch that one
DeleteAgreed about the release dates. What gets me tho is, in contrast, the Cannes Palme D'or winner PARASITE opened here weeks ago. But I'm pretty sure I saw it say on imdb that it opens in the US in September! Wtf huh? Or maybe imdb is just wrong, I dunno. But it was certainly right about Midsommor when I checked months ago.
Ha, even John Wick 3 was a released a week later here. Unless its Aussie or has an Aussie lead then we're not getting it in line with the US
Its not fair Brittani!! *pouts absurdly*
=P
Nah, that sounds about right. It'll open with a limited release in the big cities only and the rest of us won't get it until January or something lol
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