Violent, Shocking, Strangely Funny and Slow Burning Second Film from Ari Aster

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2019)

I occasionally had to take my eye of the screen for a few seconds during Midsommar's run time as the gore in this film is shocking and brutal to look at just as violence in a horror movie should be. Although Midsommar is not as thought provoking or primal fear inducing as Aster's previous film 'Hereditary' it is still an incredible follow up and another great addition to the horror genre. The direction in this film has noticeably improved since Aster's last film with some incredible long takes and beautiful cinematography and camera work. The performance by Florence Pugh has a raw intensity to it and is deeply magnetic with her taking over the screen every time she appears. Most surprising about Midsommar is how funny it can be. I often found myself cackling, sometimes at Will Poulter's Josh who is by far the funniest character of the film but also at the absurdity of the situation the characters are in. Midsommar doesn't leave the audience with the same empty soul crushing feeling as Hereditary does but still leaves you with a strange uneasy feeling by the time the credits roll. It is a great second attempt from Aster and I am excited to see what horrors he will unveil next.