Welcome one and all to my review of the newly released Midsommar. Before I begin I think you should check out my weekly film review blog entitled, The 52 In 52. I have a handy recap blog that has links to all the previous posts as well as this weeks one about Fighting With My Family. And as always if you have any comments or feedback leave a comment in the section below or by following me on Twitter and Instagram.
As I mentioned I would be reviewing the recently released Midsommar, released through A24 and B-Reel productions. Midsommar was written an directed by Ari Aster (Hereditary). The story follows a group of 20 somethings led by Dani (Florence Pugh), dealing with a great loss in her family, her boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and his friends (Will Poulter and William Jackson Harper) including Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren) as they head to Sweden to experience Pelle's family's celebration of Midsommar. When they arrive they discover that they will celebrating in a close knit community who are rooted in ancient and pagan cultures. What unravels is a bizarre and intense thrill ride culminating in a twisted and multi coloured head trip.
At this point in time there are very few film makers making creatively daring horror cinema quite like Ari Aster. I remember leaving the cinema last year when Hereditary was released and whilst I was a little confused by what I had just watched I remember I felt more than a little unsettled, something that takes a lot of work for a horror cinema fan like myself. I also wondered where Aster could go next and it turns out that whilst Midsommar has some very similar themes he went in a very bizarre direction.
The story told in Midsommar is fantastic. The over riding theme is grief and how people deal with it. Dani experiences loss in a big way, pushing her over the edge. Whilst she alienates herself from the people in her life at home when she arrives to the Harga she seems hesitant at first but, as the rest of the travellers feel uneasy and confused about their culture Dani seems to be more receptive and almost feels comfortable in her new surroundings and it's Florence Pugh's performance that drives the story from start to finish. she begins as an unstable, anxious mess and throughout the story she builds strength and confidence thanks to the commune. By the end of the film she has transformed into a different character altogether. Jack Reynor is great as the inattentive boyfriend. During the film the relationship between Dani and Christian goes from being strained to them feeling disdain for each other. I loved the use of folk lore and occult themes throughout the film. In any other story it would have felt a little silly and over the top but, in Midsommar it really works.
The way in which Midsommar was shot is often mind bending. During the scenes when Dani is under the influence there is a wavy quality to the picture that made me feel almost queasy. The plants and grass are a breathing and becoming part of her and again, in most films this would have been a little over the top but, it fits with this film. The scenes of heavy gore are handled in a completely different way than most horror films. Whilst the visuals are a little stomach churning the suspense element is eased with the fact the film is shot entirely in daylight. This is also flipped on it's head with the use of bright colours throughout removing all the darkness that is common place in horror cinema.
The score is a little much a times. There are moments of heightened drama where the score is so loud it's almost deafening which is a great way of disorientating the audience. The use of folk singing is a great addition really putting the audience into the surroundings.
Overall Midsommar is a horror film like no other, like Hereditary, there will be polarising opinions. There are elements of films like The Wicker Man and Don't Look Now present throughout. the film is visually stunning and disorientating throughout. The central performances are terrific throughout, especially Florence Pugh, who continues to shine in every film.
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