Midsommar (2019)

12 January 2020

I can appreciate a movie for being well made, while still not really caring for it.

I felt this way a little about Hereditary, but the difference between that and Aster's Midsommar is that there was a clearer plot in Hereditary than there is here. I mean, sure, it's a festival they're celebrating, but the striking visuals are a weird contrast to the horrors occurring around the commune.

It's best to see this as Dani' (Florence Pugh) story: she's along for the ride on this vacation after suffering a family tragedy. This ultimately leads us down her path dealing with the grief, pain, betrayal and hate. The other characters explore other facets of the commune, but they're ultimately irrelevant and the story doesn't dwell on much of it.

Personally I find the story weird and lackluster, and it tries to keep your interest through the visuals, coupled with unfamiliarity and disorientation throughout the movie. The interaction between these characters make the film, but I've seen other films like The Babadook (2014, 9/10) that still string together a clearer plot in less time (1h34m). Midsommar is nearly 2.5 hours, which I think overstays its welcome when other films like [either version of] The Wicker Man don't usually break 2 hours. Overall, it's an interesting movie but I don't know if it's one I'd proactively want to watch again. 6/10