Midsommar

Synopsis

A group of friends and students go to Sweden with their new friend to see a small town festival. While it is in a beautiful place, the festival turns violent as the intentions of the cult become clear.

Review

This was not what I thought it was going to be. I knew it was a horror movie, but it was way beyond that from straight horror. For a horror movie, it isn't about jump scenes or even a looming creeping thing in the background. It is a more based in a quasi-realistic story of something that could exist. Not because we don't know anything about people in Scandinavia, but more that there is a chance that some cult could attempt to do. I mean look at the craziness of Escaping Utopia and the FLDS groups. The horror is this weight of the actions and attempting to figure out what is going on.

The story has so issues. So pretty big ones. The main one I have is the entire setup. The first act of the movie doesn't matter or make sense. I am going to spoil a bit here so please skip this paragraph if you don't want any. So the movie starts with the death of Florence Pugh's family. This comes up when her boyfriend is thinking of breaking up with her. After the events go down, she learns that her boyfriend was going to Sweden to do a anthropological study. The family days plays into a "bad trip," but that is it. There is also this plot of the friends not liking her and her going on the trip was a pity ask, but it back fires on them. After the first act, none of that really comes up again. It was a pointless start to a movie.

The story at the camp really is good. It has this level of creepiness that just rides in the background making all the events have a more powerful impact. The logic and deaths of the first couple of people is wild. I was on an airplane watching this and my wife looked over wide-eyed mouthing "What the..." It was a wild time on the plane especially later. The whole pagan element actually is interesting and does show a world of manipulation and brainwashing. There is a lot of subtext in these conversations from the anthropologist and the cultist is so heavy from time to time. But it is only with the men that you get that that information where the time with Florence is more covered and hidden with the protection of women. There is no time where she is her own person it feels like.

My Rating

The story is completely the best thing this movie has going to it. It is also some of the stupidest part. The entire first act is pointless. The horror really is a low trimmer with a gore focused factor than scares. The acting is pretty good which I am not mad at. Honestly, Florence is outstanding really. I am really impressed with her performance. While it was entertaining, most of the movie is problematic. This is a 6 and I will die on this hill.

Parental Rating

Ooooh boy. An immense amount of language, brutal deaths, and a crazy sex scene makes this one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. I am not kidding about the amount gore and violence in this movie. In Vikings they do a Blood Eagle, in this they show the aftermath. The sex scene is also beyond crazy with full nudity of multiple people. It is wild. For sure not airplane friendly, thankfully I was sitting in a window seat. Rejected with prejudice by both my parents.

Want to get a hold of me?
Email | [email protected]

None of the link provided are sponsored or affiliate links, unless otherwise notated.