Unsatisfying

Rating: 4/10 (1 August 2019)

I just finished watching this movie with a few friends so maybe I need a little more time to analyze and discuss the movie, but as of right now, I think it's safe to say that Midsommar was one of the most nauseating and unexplained pieces
of work of all time. Based on the trailer, I was quite excited to watch such a thrilling, interesting concept with a disturbing cult and likable cast members like Florence Pugh and Will Poulter. However, 20 minutes into the movie and there are already so many open ended questions that are, not only unanswered and unexplained, but are unnecessarily long and unsettling in such a sickening way.
Don't get me wrong, I love horror films as well as how this one had more of an indie, contemporary vibe instead of straight up thriller, but the way some of the scenes were played out, especially with how there was little to no explanation or any backstory as to how the cult formed or how it got to be of that current point was simply unjust to storytelling. The focus of the movie was just to show how creepy and strange the people in the cult were at the time and in comparison to the foreign, yet normally civilized, Americans that embarked on the trip for either a thesis for a PHD or just to hang out and mingle with women. However, the movie failed to show how the cult was brainwashed, if it was mainly the drugging of foreign people or if they were all just born messed up but it really was just odd. Not to completely squander an idea and a set of customs that could as well be a real thing, but by showing one messed up thing after another, with little to no information, justification, or explanation as to what was going on, the vibe of the whole movie itself was just strange and grotesque.
It is interesting that all of the horrific scenes were done in broad daylight, taking a turn from the traditional "dark and stormy night" setting of horror, however, the actual plot was extremely overshadowed by shoving scenes of drugging and rape, gruesome deaths, and physical human deficiencies into audiences faces that questions remained unanswered. Audiences are unaware of the death specifics of protagonist, Dani's family and if that was related to the cult or her involvement on the trip. Characters like Josh, Mark, and Pelle are all left in the dark of their true characteristics for 2 of them die and are written off and Pelle's past is so unknown and mysterious, we don't know whether to trust him or to hate him for his allegiance to his cult.
The cult is also extremely violent and are seen eating little to no food during the whole film, none of which is explained. We don't know who the leaders are, how they are chosen, how and why the cult formed, what the May Queen resembles, how long they have been a community, what their motives are, whether they just hate foreigners or Americans, and many more. Although having this mystery to the movie is common and typically fine, leaving the movie so open ended was so strange and unsatisfying to accept.
There are many possible explanations to this film, whether it was all a figment of Dani's unstable mental imagination or if it was a political statement to America or religion, however, I felt lost on so many aspects and found myself wishing so many scenes could be cut out or altered.
I did enjoy the cinematography, I thought the shots of Sweden were gorgeous, the soundtrack was creepy and constantly had excellent build up. Florence Pugh's performance was great and convincing and characters were made either likable or not right off the bat which was fantastic. The vibe of the movie was just so unsettling and downright disgusting that I left the theater wanting to vomit instead of being intrigued in the characters and the story. Not to mention that the plot was so undermined by the overly extended need to implement something creepy that had little to do with continuing the storyline.
I just wish a lot of things were explained in the film better rather than ending it with more questions and a confusing state of mind.
I honestly wish I liked it better as well considering the concept was so interesting and fresh, I with the storyline was better thought out.