Tanya’s Verdict: Okay-and-a-half*
Rated: 18A
Starring: some pretty girl and those guys from those shows
Plot: When a group of American college students head to a pastoral Sweden commune for a traditional celebration, they have no idea of the horrors they are in for.
Tanya’s Verdict: This movie follows quick on the heels of Ari Aster’s horrific hit Hereditary (2018) and so it had some pretty big shoes to fill. In my opinion, it doesn’t quite get there. BUT – it does have its moments.
Midsommar starts off with a great back story. I thought it was the perfect set-up moving into the main plot – both creepy and haunting and adding to the character development. The dramatic music does well in creating a tense and heart-pounding scene. But then much of the plot twists fall flat.
Aster has his work cut out for him – making a scary movie out of an idyllic town’s customs that take place in complete daylight. And he does well with it. There are several gruesome moments where I wanted to cover my eyes but just couldn’t. That said – there are also moments so absurd that the theatre audience was roaring with laughter (stilted and awkward dialogue; a love potion comprised of pubic hair and menstrual blood?)
The creepy moments in this film – and there are many – are too spread out within the two-and-a-half hour time frame. Condense the horrific parts by shaving off about 45 minutes – and this diamond-in-the-rough could really shine.