Midsommar (2019) - Analysis

Midsommar (2019) was directed by Ari Aster. This movie is a psychological horror that definitely succeeded in horrifying me as I watched. I picked up this movie not knowing anything about the plot, thinking it may have something to do with Shakespeare. This was an incorrect assumption. It follows the main character, Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh) who, right off the bat, has to deal with the grief that comes with losing everyone in her immediate family. She has a very narrow support system, which heavily relies on her boyfriend, Christian Hughes (Jack Reynor). Christian is a shallow character that is very good at pretending to like his girlfriend while they are together, although through subtle actions, his true nature is revealed. The way he turns an argument over to have Dani apologize to him when he was in the wrong, and making Dani feel guilty for worrying about her sister’s wellbeing speaks volumes of his character. The annoyance is palpable when he realizes that he would appear to be an asshole if he were to break up with her as he planned when her entire family had just died. Christian has the appearance of a saint but there are ulterior motives under the surface, similar to the religion he is named after.

The other characters bring a lot to the film as well. Josh (William Jackson Harper) is smart and considerate, however, his curiosity does eventually get the best of him. He is kind when Dani is impromptu invited to their trip to Sweden. For him, the trip is to study a culture unfamiliar to Americans and write a thesis based on it. He knows some of the gruesome customs to anticipate. When his work is threatened, he was willing to disrespect the town- leading to his ultimate demise. Mark (Will Poulter) is constantly rude and unempathetic. His selfishness is what gets the best of him. He leads a life where he believes he can do whatever he wants and when people don’t follow, they are in the wrong. I was not sad when he disappeared. Pelle (Vilhem Blomgren) is something else. His upbringing in Harga is reflected in his art, as the village is covered in murals. He is the only one that shows how genuinely he cares about Dani throughout the film. He invites her into conversations, and comforts her while she is grieving. He tells her that the community made it feel as though he was always supported, planting a seed that Christian is not what Dani’s needs. He clearly likes Dani and tries to make sure she feels comfortable in such a strange landscape, telling her that he especially wanted to share such a special occasion with her, out of all of his friends.

By the end of the film, I have to wonder what his thoughts were when he found that all the friends save for Dani, have all met a gruesome end. On one hand, I feel as though he would be sensible enough to feel remorse, however, when growing up in a cult, it is easy to be brainwashed to believe that certain terrible things are okay. He may justify the deaths of his friends as the price to pay in exchange for God’s blessing.

The idea of “being held” that Pelle mentions to Dani is shown just before the final sequence when Dani finds Christian having ritual intercourse with another woman. Heartbroken, she screams in anguish as the other women in her party scream and rock with her. This creates a surreal vision that merges all of these women into one entity of grief.

The world of Harga, Sweden, is that from a Grimm’s Fairy Tale. Upon their arrival to Harga, they are greeted with many kind faces, old and young, wearing pure white loose clothing. It begins similar to a dream that turns into a nightmare when the following day, a ceremony in which those who have reached the age of 75 sacrifice themselves publicly. The shock and brutality of the suicide and murder translates through the screen. The reactions of the two other foreigners reflect those that the viewer feels as well. The imagery is gruesome, bloody, and does not hold back. The imagery is so bright, floral, and vivid, in deep contrast with the darkness of the events that are to take place. The contrast was especially present in the moments where Dani is experiencing more than reality, such as when she dreams or takes drugs. During these moments, we see the world warp around her, subtly putting things out of place. Something that becomes important to the film later on is the importance of the large yellow pyramid in the back of several shots. It sticks out like a sore thumb, catching anyone’s attention. I tried speculating what it could signify, knowing that it must be important. Looking at the tapestries that prophesied the entire film explains exactly what its use is to be.

In the middle of the film, Dani’s insecurities are emphasised when she takes a sleeping pill and supposedly wakes up to find her friends have decided to abandon her in the middle of the night. At first, I was skeptical of the likelihood of her friends doing this, however, when I saw the dark sky during a time where the sun never sets, I was able to infer that this was not a reality. In the more obvious portions of her nightmares, we get visuals of her deceased sister staring right at the screen as we see her in the beginning of the film.

A critique I have of this film is how the first people to get killed in this movie are the people of color. It does not help the fact that this Swedish community is full of white skin, blonde haired folk as well. I suppose that this emphases how these characters especially did not fit in with the town’s ideals, however, it is still disappointing to see.

The ending of the film is the most off the books part of the entire film. While everything else has almost a linear explanation, translating the final sequence takes a bit more imagination. In a moment of drugged up anger, Dani chooses Christian to be the final sacrifice. As the entire village screams during the burning of the pyramid, Dani is seen laughing, finally finding her place in this strange world. I suppose that where she is mentally, this was the place where she was able to get the support she always needed. A community where her problems do not only fall onto her, but is diluted upon tens of other people who are eager to help. With her complexion, and the dressing of the May Queen, she fits right into their world of insanity.

There is no knowing what happens when the drugs wear off. Will she still feel peace? Will she allow herself to let loose and assimilate with Harga? Will she enter a relationship with Swedish guy? Or do they go back to America and face the loss there, where reality will hit the hardest.