My greatest fear (and I’m sure I am not unique in this) is being alone forever. It’s why I fucking hate breakups. Even if the person I am with begins to be the antithesis of anyone I could ever even like, let alone love, I will avoid cutting ties for as long as possible because, as awful as they might be, isn’t solitude even worse?
Midsommar, the latest acid trip horror feature by Ari Aster, depicts these fears in technicolor clarity, crystallizing on the story of Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor) as they journey Sweden for a festival that, we are told, only comes around every 90 years. Like in Aster’s previous film Hereditary, we are introduced to our main couple through the lens of tragedy. Dani has just lost her family in the most horrible way possible. She finds herself entirely alone. This loneliness is made worse by the fact that Christian is an emotionally unavailable asshole, but they are both culpable in the way that neither of them has the balls to just end their trainwreck of a relationship while they still can.
By the time they get to Sweden, it’s basically too late. Christian, along with his three friends- the brainy Josh, the clownish Mark, and the sinister Pelle – have been planning on participating in this rare celebration held by a clan of people who only Pelle, as a member, is truly familiar with.
There’s something remarkably creepy about horror movies being set in the daytime. The bright colors contrast wildly with the bloody, uncomfortable rituals which eventually come to pass. Such atrocities are the domain of the night. But, why should we expect monsters to be so different than we are? Even a demon needs to the sunlight to see where he is going.
But horror isn’t the only theme present in Midsommar. It is also a tragedy. There are some comedic scenes too, particularly surrounding Mark, whose ultimate fate is sinisterly ironic. Each of the characters gets what they deserve in the end; which is more disturbing than satisfying but that’s what Aster does so well. He never hides his intent from the viewer, if you pay attention you can probably guess what’s about to happen pretty early on in the film, and Aster does that on purpose. The building dread reaches a point of true terror just as the garish climax comes about.
Comparisons have been made to the Wicker Man, and those comparisons are valid. I can also see some similarities to 500 Days of Summer. The toxic masculinity, and the unraveling of a doomed relationship. Though Dani isn’t nearly as smart as Summer; there aren’t really any heroes in the film, no one to root for. But when Dani and Christian are given their ultimate ends, you can’t help but feel a sense of vindication.
Breakups are scary, but isn’t the alternative even worse?
