Film
Film review: Midsommar
The new horror film from Ari Aster is properly terrifying, says Linda Marric
July 3, 2019 13:46
The new horror film from Ari Aster is properly terrifying, says Linda Marric
July 3, 2019 13:46Last year, Ari Aster’s critically acclaimed debut feature Hereditary took the horror genre by storm, earning him an army of fans who wondered what to expect from him next. With Midsommar, Aster’s second foray into the genre, the writer/director did not disappoint by conjuring up yet another genius idea in one of the best films of the year so far.
Presenting a story entrenched in old Scandinavian myths and history, the film which stars Florence Pugh (Lady Macbeth, The Little Drummer Girl ) and Jack Rayner (Detroit) is, as expected, every bit as disturbing and as terror-inducing as its predecessor.
Dani (Pugh) and Christian (Rayner) are a young couple with a relationship almost on the rocks without either of them wanting to make the first move to end it. After suffering a devastating family tragedy, a grief-stricken Dani invites herself to join Christian and his friends, Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren), Josh (William Jackson Harper) and Mark (Will Poulter), on a trip to a midsummer festival in an isolated Swedish village.
On their arrival, the group is encouraged by Pelle, a native of the village, to take part in the once-in-a-life-time midsummer ceremony without judgement or prejudice towards his people’s old traditions. Things take a turn for the sinister when the foreign guests witness a shocking event which results in two other onlookers being too traumatised to carry on with the ceremony.
Aster offers a truly unsettling, daunting and altogether chilling story which packs a real punch throughout. Away from the gothic darkness of Hereditary, the director this time brings us to the heart of an imaginary Scandinavian summer where endless blue skies, flowery crowns and hearty big smiles hide thousands of years of blood-curdling tradition.
Some will unavoidably draw parallels with Robin Hardy's 1973 gothic masterpiece The Whicker Man, although overplaying the few similarities would be doing both films a great disservice in the long run.
Aster has a knack for introducing an idea veiled in such creepy otherworldliness, that all one can do is watch and marvel at his effortless brilliance. Using the horror genre as a way of broaching themes relating to fidelity and trust in modern relationships, the director is also able to introduce a great deal of humour to the proceedings without it feeling out of place.
Florence Pugh gives an awe-inspiring and visceral performance as a troubled young woman whose life is teetering over the edge in a world where sanity and madness walk side by side. Offering Christian as someone who goes from cocky self-assuredness to helpless “deer in the headlights” as the story unfolds, Jack Rayner manages a faultless and a rather impressive turn.
Elsewhere, Will Poulter is at hand for some much needed comic relief early on as sleazy frat-boy Mark, while The Good Place’s William Jackson Harper gives a robust turn as inquisitive anthropology student Josh.
Midsommar is another ambitious undertaking from Ari Aster who has once again managed to bring us a thrilling and truly inspired modern horror. Not for the faint hearted.
