Midsommar: Profound or Prolonged

Rating: 5/10 (22 January 2020)

The already troubled main character, Dani, must cope with extreme anxiety after her bi-polar sister murders both of their parents and commits suicide. Despite this being an obviously traumatic incident, the film does not excel in portraying one of its various themes: grief. While certain portions hint at Dani's desire for a supportive community, it is rarely brought up again after the first 20 minutes and it is almost as though the film used this specifically as a device to make viewers care about the main character.
Viewers are also introduced to Dani's emotionally unavailable boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor), who attempts to assist her through her breakdown. However, he appears upset due to the fact that he originally wanted to break up with her, but feels obligated not to due to this incident. After coming to the realization that it would be inappropriate to separate from her at this time, he invites her on a trip to Sweden that he and his friends had been planning. Their uneasy dynamic continues throughout the rest of the film, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Dani's life falls apart and viewers see her rebuild it in a sunny Swedish town that eventually shows how daytime is just as haunting, if not more, than the night. Their unsettling relationship, filled with brainwashing and emotional abuse, only adds to the chilling experience one feels when watching.
Christian's friend Pelle (Vihelm Blomgren), takes them to visit this remote area of the country, where he grew up, to celebrate the "Midsommar" festival. Upon arrival, the group is offered a complimentary cup of mushroom tea and many characters remain under the influence of such drugs for a majority of the film. The film itself feels like experiencing an awful drug trip to the viewers at times due to morphing backgrounds edited in, and also the confusing plot that can be difficult to follow, especially for a more impatient audience. Christian pressures Dani into consuming the hallucinogens despite her recurring panic attacks and to no one's surprise, she undergoes a bad trip. Her lack of supportive peers does not help aid her pain, and the commune is only more off-putting. Despite the locals' practices becoming increasingly more disturbing, Dani is subconsciously in search of a welcoming community. She is eventually seduced by the commune not only from the influence of drugs, but also the sense of warmth they give her and the community she is longing for. This concept is difficult to understand without analyzing the film; the target audience is intellectuals, making it less appealing to the more close-minded individuals. This can be seen as a positive or negative trait of the film, but because it does not reach as wide of an audience, the negative does indeed outweigh the positive.
Some may find Midsommar a very intriguing film, but many will find it quite unlikable due to its inappropriate content, lengthy running time (138 minutes), and slow pace. Ari Aster takes an elevated approach to what is essentially a very simple story line. The viewer must pay close attention to every detail in order to understand the plot. A second viewing would be advised if one is patient and willing to withstand the disturbing events that take place. The first disturbing moment, where viewers begin to unravel the intentions of the Swedish cult, does not occur until an hour into the film. Prior to this, it appears as though there is simply a large group of people inebriated in a field. While the cinematography is incredible, for example, the gorgeous color palette, the impressive editing, and Florence Pugh's amazing portrayal of her character, Dani, the visuals are not enough to cover up how the film drags on.
Viewers see strange, rustic murals displayed in the film towards the beginning that practically give away the events that are too follow. Aster's previous film, Hereditary (2018) had a more appropriately developed plot where the events unfold in a very interesting and shocking way. While some could the director for his ability to transform a basic horror story into a multi-genre film was admirable, the execution has room for improvement. The film was generally very predictable.