Ari Aster's Next Film After Hereditary Doesn't Disappoint

Rating: 10/10 (7 July 2019)

I was looking forward to seeing this as I had seen Hereditary by Ari Aster and thought that was a truly frightening and incredibly good film. The previews for this one hadn't grabbed me as much as those for Hereditary, but since I was so impressed by that film, I eagerly awaited this one. As good as Hereditary was (and I thought it was the best horror film of the year), this film is even better. I don't want to go into too much plot detail since virtually anything except a brief overview might be viewed as a spoiler. So to be brief and not give anything away, the story concerns an American couple whose relationship is unraveling going on a trip to Sweden. They are joined by three friends of the man including one Swedish student friend of his who is essentially going to be their guide as he shows them the local culture of where he's from. The performances are all terrific. William Jackson Harper (the only actual American born and raised actor in the cast although Jack Reynor was born in Colorado before moving back to his mother's native Ireland at two) and Will Poulter are spot on as the friend who is maybe a little too driven by his research work and the friend who is just a total jerk respectively. Vilhelm Blomgren is amazing as the super laid back Swedish friend who is showing them his home. Two up and coming British actors, Archie Madekwe and Ellora Torchia have good turns as British students also visiting. There are many good performances by the Swedish cast playing the villagers. In particular, the veteran Swedish actress Gunnel Fred as a village leader and newcomer Isabelle Grill stand out. But the real revelations are the two leads Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor. Florence was great in the comedy Fighting With My Family and in the mini series The Little Drummer Girl, but here she really delivers an award deserving performance. And Jack Reynor who I first saw in some interesting Irish films, but who Americans should be familiar with now after parts in movies like Detroit (alongside his cast mate in this film Will Poulter who was brilliant in that film) and of course in the series Strange Angel, gives a truly shattering performance. All in all this film moves ahead of The Wicker Man (the original) as the best horror film about a cult ever made. This will probably be one of the best films of the year and I doubt any horror film will come close to it. One of the best horror films ever made. Now I can't wait for Ari Aster's next film. What a major new talent he is!