Writer/Director: Ari Aster
Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor and William Jackson Harper
‘A Mesmerizing Horror Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood that attained fame years ago are as celebrated as Florence Pugh. Since rise to recognition in the 2000’s, Pugh has made memorable movies. Whether it’s feminist writers, women with grim terminal illness or political leaders, Pugh has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Pugh’s best strength as an actress has commonly been her strong presence. She is one of rare actresses which has often had a commanding presence that has elevated every movie. Even when she is in a supporting role with limited screen time, Pugh has always left an indelible impression. Through abilities to portray compelling women that audiences can easily relate to, Pugh has become an actress of value. Throughout her illustrious career, Pugh has made many great movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Pugh and adore all the films which she has created in her career. However, “Midsommar” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2019, Ari Aster’s movie has stood test of time as a horror classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engrossing story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest horror movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Florence Pugh, who embodies a woman engaging in a Swedish cult causing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Midsommar” a horror masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror films, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of religious cults that would resonate with everyone. A riveting horror masterpiece, there are several reasons why “Midsommar” is a movie worth seeing.
Set in Sweden, “Midsommar” tells the story of friends that visit a creepy resort which causes tension. Florence Pugh portrays Dani, a grief-stricken woman mourning the loss of her sister. Dani has always shared a strong bond with her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) whom she loves dearly. To cope with death that causes tension, Dani embarks on an expedition to a resort in Sweden. Dani is hopeful that visiting the resort will allow her to overcome a death that’s painful. However, Dani’s dream of being free is shattered when she discovers the resort involves cults causing disaster. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Dani questions if it is possible for her to overcome cults involving a great deal of danger. Facing a dilemma, Dani questions whether she will ever recover from a death causing trauma.
Ari Aster is a newcomer to themes of religious cults. Before he directed “Midsommar”, Aster had never made a movie about religious cults in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of grieving women facing religious cults causing tragedies but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Aster captures a woman on a journey to join religious cults causing tragedy. Inspired with Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Aster uses point of view shots to capture the horror members of religious cults are facing. For instance, montages elevate the festivities scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dani participates in a bizarre ritual of a cult which causes disaster. Through point of view shots, Aster captures hardships which members of religious cults go through. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, point of view shots elevate horror films about scary sharks. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Aster captures frightening hardships that members of commemorated religious cults are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Midsommar” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Aster uses costumes capturing the lives of women in a cult that experience a decline. Throughout the film, Dani’s costumes showcase her journey into becoming a tragic member of a religious cult. For instance, costumes elevate the religious cult ceremony scene. During this memorable scene, Dani is indoctrinated into becoming a member of the Swedish cult through a ritual ceremony. One appreciates costumes which capture tensions that members of a religious cult face. Moreover, musical score is dazzling. Bobby Krlic’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that members of a cult bear. Through breathtaking production, Aster cowrites women in a commemorated cult facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Midsommar” is a film about religious cults which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture religious cults enduring tension. Aster’s screenwriting strength is capturing the lives of cult members facing tensions through silence. For instance, the silence elevates the ceremony dinner scene. During this intense scene, Dani witnesses members of a religious cult experiencing a ritual invoking suicide which is frightening. Through clever sequences of silence, Aster captures lives of religious cults experiencing a disturbance. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” suggested that silence elevates adaptations of books about strong women. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Aster captures lives of religious cult members that experience a grim price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Florence Pugh delivers one of her finest career performances as Dani. Pugh earned praise for depicting strong women in period pieces. With “Midsommar”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the life of a woman participating in cults causing tragedy but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Pugh has always excelled at playing emotional women facing stress, and “Midsommar” showcased her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she conveys the angst, fear and resentment of a woman on a journey to find spiritual identity. It’s a great performance from one of the finest actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Florence Pugh, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of praise. Jack Reynor is remarkable, capturing the terror of a man that becomes victim of a religious cult that causes disaster. Will Poulter is wonderful, bringing an air of authority to a religious man with dreams to fulfill. Lastly, William Jackson Harper merits appreciation. As a man seeking to do a thesis on a religious resort, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Midsommar” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing religious cults causing disaster. Unlike most movies about religious cults, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, grief and religion that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with religious cults to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about religion which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Midsommar” is one of those rare films about commemorated religious cults which everyone will adore.
Fans of Florence Pugh definitely appreciate “Midsommar” and so will movie-goers that seek frightening entertainment. A fantastic horror classic; it celebrates an actress which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly six years following the release of a groundbreaking film about women facing frightening tensions at religious cults with consequences which prove to be lasting, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress earning a huge fan following for abilities to portray compelling characters in movies that are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 