Some breathtaking moments but ultimately disappointing.

Rating: 6/10 (12 July 2019)

Ari Aster delivers his second feature film with Midsommar. Whilst it's undoubtedly a step up from Hereditary, the film shares the same problems as that debut, tangling itself so tightly in its own constructs and mysticism that by the time the final act plays out it disappears inside itself leaving the audience behind.
You can't help but admire the ambition of Aster. He creates a hazy dream world all of his own in which beauty and horror are one and the same. His technical prowess is certainly on display here too. The cinematography is gorgeous and the soundtrack will surely finish the year as one of the very best. His direction whilst at times misguided and heavy handed is also undoubtedly skilled and there are one or two truly stunning moments that linger in the mind, the first coming merely minutes into the film.
With all that said, whilst there is much here to commend, the film begins to unravel in the last 30 to 40 minutes. Much like in his debut Aster has big, profound ideas but the writing, pacing and execution of the last act is flawed to the point that any meaning he is attempting to convey here is lost amongst increasingly confusing and disjointed imagery.
There is enough evidence to suggest that Aster has the talent to make truly incredible work and as his writing ability gets better I'm confident he will. For now we have a film in Midsommar that although very good in parts ultimately falls short.