It’s one of the most talked about and divisive films in recent years.
An A24 film from five years ago is still leaving anyone who watches it ‘traumatised’ and ‘having nightmares’.
Midsommar hit cinemas in July, 2019, and quickly became a cult classic for it’s weird storyline and uncomfortable moments.
It was written and directed by Ari Aster (Hereditary, Beau Is Afraid) and stars Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Florence Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Jack Reynor (The Good Mother).
The story follows a young couple who travel to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown for its fabled midsummer festival, but what begins as an idyllic and wholesome retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.
Whatever you’re imagining in your mind right now won’t even come close to what unfolds in the latter half of this film.
While some people consider it one of the best and most provocative horror films in a long time, others just find it deeply disturbing and difficult to sit through.
It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, but when you consider that one reviewer referred to it as “excruciating”, while another said “it started out dark, got sicker and ended sick”, you really have to go and watch it for yourself and make your own mind up.
One thing that can be said for sure is that the film had a profound effect on the horror genre, and many people still have opposing opinion’s on it five years on.
A film critic who goes by the username @hornbloodfire on X wrote: “I know it’s become the cool thing to hate on Aster/this movie specifically/any shred of sincerity BUT- this movie changed my life.
I know it’s become the cool thing to hate on Aster/this movie specifically/any shred of sincerity BUT- this movie changed my life. It made me realize how important horror is to me and my heart. It inspired me to start writing up my reviews. And now look 🤷♀️ https://t.co/bIp3mXZGlE
— 🔪 Amber T 🔪 (@hornbloodfire) July 3, 2024
“It made me realize how important horror is to me and my heart,” she added. “It inspired me to start writing up my reviews. And now look!”
Another user commented: “Seeing this alone; in theaters on hardly any sleep was a surreal experience. This movie stuck with me hard. I saw it before I ever saw Hereditary. It’s been a fave ever since. I feel you heavily.”
Someone else joked: “Wife and I went out to see this on a date. Fun dinner afterwards!”
If you’ve watched the film with your other half you’ll be able to relate to that comment.
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Despite the mixed feelings surrounding it in the years since, at the time of its release, Midsommar was an instant hit receiving critical and public acclaim.
The film grossed a huge $48 million (£37.4 million) at the box office.
Speaking to comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster on their Off Menu podcast last year, Pugh reflected on her experience of making the film and the response to it since.
“When I did it, I was so wrapped up in her (Dani) and I’ve never had this ever before with any of my characters,” Pugh said.
“I’d never played someone that was in that much pain before, and I would put myself in really shitty situations that maybe other actors don’t need to do but I would just be imagining the worst things.”
She continued: “Each day the content would be getting more weird and harder to do. I was putting things in my head that were getting worse and more bleak. I think by the end I probably, most definitely abused my own self in order to get that performance.”
