MIDSOMMAR
Recommended. After Ari Aster's "Hereditary", I was sceptical about "Midsommar" but it enthralls. It's a higher category of horror. I guess "Hereditary" was just a not-too-successful warm-up. The movie again starts as a psychologic drama but ends in a horror. And it's very consistent and psychologically true. Paweł Pogorzelski's cinematography whitens the light, creates an eerie climate, uses an upside down shot or air views at a close distance. Pageantry, as the celebration is aptly described in the film, is impressive. Floral patterns and warm bright light are imbued with suspense and menace. The whole film seems quiet and toned down. Even screams are muted. Yet every minute feels sinister. Christian's collar pattern before the sacrifice resembles drops of blood. Even the end credits are - flowers open like in the May Queen's crown. Some scenes are utterly brutal but it's the suspense that creates the horror here. The immediate after effect on me was feeling frightened at the sight of floral patterns on clothes on the bus back home - unavoidable nowadays. I guess I won't be going to Sweden at this time of year. The movie will make you doublethink before making friends with a nice Swede.
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