A brilliant second film, works on every level if you give it your full attention!

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2019)

Midsommar is the first 10/10 film I have seen in 2019 (with Three Billboards and He Won't Get Far From Here being the only straight 10s from 2017 and 2018 respectively.) This is a film that deserves a clean viewing. Put the phones in a different room, get your food and drinks beforehand. I do not like films where you need to read a book about the film to understand the significance, this is not that, just requires that you do view the whole thing carefully.
The opening is not the greatest I have seen, most recent films have good opening and then loose steam over the halfway point. This one is like a boiling over teapot, it just railroads through to the end. It is not chocked full of action, but has just enough to propel the story forward. In fact, the longer passages, in a 2:20 run time, add to your feeling of being immersed in the characters situation. There is lots of foreshadowing in certain scenes that basically tell the viewer exactly what is going to happen, but I was still shocked and enthralled each time. There is some over-the-top violence and a semi bizarre scene for those that are easily offended. Notable cinematography shots that I have not seen before, The scene where the camera goes 180 degrees upside down and follows down the road. And the circular dance scene, which I know, were a nightmare to get right in post production.
Themes that I have not read others talk about- I believe this film has a healthy dose of criticism for blind faith, traditions, the idea of going along to get along and religious institutions, of all stripes, The main male leads name is Christian, after all.