Ari Aster's Breakup movie

Rating: 9/10 (3 July 2019)

This movie is one of the most unsettlingly joyful films I have ever seen. There is a line I never knew existed: the line between horror and happiness-- and that line was criss-crossed in an odd yet unmessy way. The film is idyllic in its depiction of horror imagery, meaning what the audience sees is inherently disgusting and bloody and pulpy, but the reaction is not necessarily wincing. This is because Ari Aster crafts a film where the lines are swirled and beauty is found in the mesmerizing horror. Similar to the last five minutes of Hereditary, the ending of Midsommar is euphoric.
Florence Pugh, as a Twitter user once aptly described, is "god-level". Her constant break downs and panic attacks demonstrate just how fantastic of a performer she is. She's able to light up her face in an instant and maintain that emotional high for ungodly amounts of time. She is the standout and should be compensated as such with shiny awards. Speaking of shininess, the cinematography is gorgeous. The overexposed film adds to the tone of uneasy happiness. And, adding to the creativity, the camera is poised in its movement, often holding on its subjects for extended amounts of time. The pulsating backgrounds and flowers are simultaneously nauseating and picturesque. Aster knows exactly which details to show and not show, giving the viewers a trail of flowery bread-crumbs to sniff out. Also hint: pay attention to the walls.
Thematically, Midsommar dares to deal with communal values and their ultimate strengths/shortcomings. Dani's attempts to confide relationally and emotionally in Christian, who is distant and uncaring (but not mean spirited), ultimately leave her unsatisfied and unable to move past the death of her parents and sister. Her inability to grow through Christian leaves her vulnerable for the cultish communalism of the pantheistic Swedes. The cult steps in and promises that through them, there will be no more worrying about what's yours and what's not. This includes food and family, and ultimately a home. Aster brilliantly uses this very encompassing view of community as a means to propel the protagonist to a happy ending, but also as a warning for the audience. Although Dani and the story is left satisfied by her new sense of community, the audience understands that the worldview she has decided to adopt has and will forever cloud the way she sees the world she lives in. She accepts the murder and mutilation as merely cultural differences.
Overall, it's fun. Enjoy a messed up film.