a folk horror film? Or is it, as writer/director Ari Aster says, a break-up revenge fantasy and a co-dependency fairy tale? Either way, it “breaks down your defenses and opens you to other influences”—which is how one of the characters describes a magical golden potion. Set in a deceptively innocent, sun-drenched, flower-filled meadow,The main character is recently orphaned Dani .
The Swedes have reason to be suspicious; these students are exceedingly culturally insensitive. When they decide to go to Sweden, one of them asks,"Are there any meatball sex clubs we should hit up?” At the commune, the rude Americans start eating before the others, and make disparaging remarks about the food.
The drinks are drugs, and are often gender-specific. To give them stamina for the May Queen dance competition, Dani and the other women get a special tea—a golden drink made of plants mashed in a mortar and pestle. The toast, “Skol!” is a reminder that the Vikings celebrated their victories by drinking from the skulls of their enemies.
A24 Good lord. The Lighthouse, and now Midsommar? Where do you go from here? Audition? Antichrist? Ichi the Killer? Can’t wait to see what you have in the queue. 😂
A24 I’m never going to Sweden after seeing that
A24 I do not recommend eating while watching Midsommar.
A24 Oh wow, now this looks amazing.