Midsommar

Midsommar, released in 2019, is an atmospheric, disquieting horror drama that marked yet another distinct chapter in genre filmmaking. Helmed by visionary director Ari Aster, Midsommar offers viewers a uniquely disorienting and chilling cinematic experience. The movie flaunts an ensemble cast led by Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and Vilhelm Blomgren, who deliver compelling performances that deftly navigate the film's challenging script and thematic material.

The film unfolds through the perspective of Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh), a young woman grappling with an unspeakable family tragedy. Worn down and emotionally raw, she impulsively decides to accompany her distant boyfriend, Christian Hughes (Jack Reynor), and his friends Mark (Will Poulter), Josh (William Jackson Harper), and Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren) on a trip to rural Sweden.

The vacation, presented as an opportunity to witness the midsummer festivities at Pelle's ancestral commune, initially hints at being a therapeutic interlude for Dani. However, the tranquility of the secluded Hårga commune quickly masks a chilling undercurrent. The group find themselves drawn into the unorthodox traditions and rituals of the local populace, a seeming idyllic society that holds a more sinister reality underneath its pastoral exterior.

Midsommar doesn’t just reserve its terror for the dark. The daylight horror presented throughout the narrative is strikingly unconventional, setting it apart from typical horror fare. It captures the unnerving alienness of being both physically and culturally out of place while questioning ideas of belonging, relationships, and grief.

Florence Pugh is the undeniable anchor of the film, with an emotionally charged performance that has audiences simultaneously empathizing with and fearing for her character. Pugh's Dani is both, the embodiment of vulnerability and strength. Jack Reynor, as Dani's boyfriend Christian, balances between being compassionately clueless and obliviously selfish. His performance is unsettlingly authentic. The supporting cast, comprised of the likes of Will Poulter, William Jackson Harper, and Vilhelm Blomgren likewise make strong impressions, bringing vivid characters to life with keenly idiosyncratic performances.

One of the many successes of Midsommar is how it translates its director's unique vision onto the screen. This is especially evident in the film’s arresting visual language. Pawel Pogorzelski, the cinematographer, drenches the film with an overexposed brilliance, starkly contrasting with the darkness ordinarily associated with horror films. Scenes are framed with meticulous attention to detail, while the color palette employed infuses the narrative with an eerie, unhinged aesthetic that generates an unrelenting tension throughout.

Aster's storytelling takes on elements of relationship drama, psychological horror, and folk mythology, intertwining them to create an increasingly unsettling narrative. The disconcerting dread is amplified with a haunting score by The Haxan Cloak (Bobby Krlic). His compositions provide an aural backdrop that shivers with disquiet, a tonal match for the disorienting visuals and the film's escalating narrative.

The production design, costume design, and special effects are also worthy of mention, transforming an ostensibly idyllic Swedish commune into a hallucinatory hellscape. The world-building is immersive and serves to further underline the claustrophobic, dread-imbued atmosphere that the director builds and sustains.

Midsommar is a surreal exploration of grief, relationships, and existential horror that offers a truly distinct cinematic experience. It's a remarkable piece of filmmaking, merging a complex narrative with a rich visual aesthetic, creating an ambiance of unrelenting discomfort that sets a new bar-height for the genre. Midsommar is a deep and unsettling dive into human psyche, relationships, and the horror that can fester in broad daylight.