Midsommar (2019) #513

    In 2019, Ari Aster released his highly anticipated follow-up to his smash hit "Hereditary" with "Midsommar". Starring Florence Pugh, giving an emotionally raw performance as Dani, a young woman who loses her family in a tragic incident and turns to her boyfriend, who sees her more as a burden than as a partner. This is probably the most seen folk horror movie since "The Wicker Man", and this is one of the few horror movies that takes place primarily during the bright daylight hours.

  

    "Midsommar" begins with in a very serious tone, with Dani trying to contact her suicidal younger sister. Unfortunately, her sister has already followed through with her threat as well as killing their parents, fastening a hose from her car to their bedroom and a second hose tapped to her head. Dani calls her boyfriend Christian, who was out with his friends and was having a conversation with them about breaking up with Dani. He feels guilty and stays with her, to the dismay of his friends. A few months later, she learns that Christian is planning on going to Sweden with his friends Mark and Josh to visit their friend Pelle hometown. Christian invites Dani along, even though he is still considering breaking up with her. Once they arrive, the group is welcomed by the villagers of Pelle's small rustic home. There are a few other visiting foreigners, also bought along to witness the rituals that are to be performed. 
 

    First everyone enjoys a lovely meal and then the village witness an attestupa ceremony, where the eldest man and woman both leap from a high cliff onto the rock and boulders before. This freaks all of the visitors out, but Pelle explains that this act is an honor for the elderly. Then one by one, the visitors begin go missing. Christian has conflicts with both Dani and his friend Josh, who soon disappears as well. Soon Dani takes part of the Maypole dancing competition while Christian is lured away. The movie builds up to the final ritual, with a surprising but satisfying grand finale.