Not so much frightening as it is disturbing, "Midsommar" is way, way out there

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2019)

"Midsommar" (2019 release; 147 min.) brings the story of Dani and her friends. As the movie opens, it is snowing outside and Dani is frantically trying to reach her bi-polar sister. Turns out her sister has murdered their parents and then committed suicide. Dani leans heavily on boyfriend Christian for moral support, but because of that, their relationship seems in danger. After the opening credits, we find ourselves in May, and Christian and his 3 college friends are planning a trip to Sweden, at the invite of a college friend from Sweden, who explains that there is a week-long festival in his village that happens only once every 90 years. At the lat minute Dani decides to join the 4... To tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is the second film from writer-director Ari Aster, whose 2018 debut film "Hereditary was a critical and commercial smash (I thought it was not the masterpiece that many others felt it was). Here he takes a different take on the grieving process, equally prominent in "Hereditary", and a potential relationship break-up, all served up in what looks to be an idyllic commune in northern Sweden (or is it cult?). Given that this is a plot-heavy movie, I don't want to give a lot more background, so as not to spoil. But I will say this: the movie is a slowburner and the trip becomes stranger and "strangerder" as we go along, to the point where you keep telling yourself "what the heck?" The movie is at 2 1/2 hrs. a bit too long for its own good, but I was surprised how quickly time seemed to pass by. During the last hour of the movie, I sat frozen in my seat as I watched the thing unfold. The photography is gorgeous from start to finish (surprisingly, the movie was filmed in Hungary, not Sweden). Last but certainly not least, there is a stunning score, and in the end titles I noticed the score is composed by British musician Bobby Krlix, better known under his stage moniker The Haxan Cloak. I will surely be checking out the movie's soundtrack.
"Midsommar" opened wide over the July 4th weekend. The Friday early evening where I saw this at here in Cincinnati (in a fairly small theater) was PACKED. I noticed 2 people left about 45 min. into the movie, and didn't return. The rest of us sat transfixed, and you could hear a pin drop during the last 45 min. or so. If you are looking for counter-programming to the never-ending stream of superhero movies, sequels, prequels and other franchise garbage, look no further! "Midsommar" is one of the most original films that I have seen this year. I encourage you to check out "Midsommar", be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.