So…I’ll have an issue.
As you might need observed from the headline, I’m beginning to notice that Midsommar is my consolation movie. At first look, for those who’re not conscious of what the film is about and have solely seen perhaps a poster or two, you won’t suppose something of it. However, most know.
Most actually know.
I’m somebody who spends most of her time watching a number of the finest horror motion pictures ever, so I actually began to suppose extra about why I discover consolation in a movie that’s, fairly actually, identified to make folks extraordinarily uncomfortable. So let’s speak about it—I’m contemplating all of you readers my therapist for the following couple of minutes, so buckle up!
I’ve At all times Liked Horror Films
If you understand me, you’d know I like horror motion pictures. Many individuals generally take a look at me like I’m loopy after I speak about how I really like every kind of horror, however there’s simply one thing so thrilling about horror.
It could possibly be a typical slasher. I’m not the hugest fan of them, however there’s loads to like concerning ingenuity with kills, creativity and extra. Films just like the Noticed franchise match into this class.
Then there are the classics; those that basically paved the way in which for contemporary horror motion pictures. These could possibly be movies from the sooner days of cinema, just like the basic Nosferatu, or they may relate to the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties when horror was king. One thing I all the time level to is the Halloween movies.
However, there’s all the time been one form of horror that I actually love essentially the most, and that’s psychological horror, particularly when combined with issues we don’t fairly perceive, akin to folklore from one other nation. I genuinely suppose that the scariest factor that may occur to somebody is when their thoughts appears like one factor is occurring when it’s not, otherwise you don’t know who you might be anymore, and psychological horrors take that to a different degree.
Combine that with traditions from a international land and buckets of trauma, and also you get Midsommar.
However Midsommar Is The One I Cling To On My Unhealthy Days
Midsommar is the finest A24 horror film – and that’s saying loads as a result of there are some sensible A24 horror motion pictures, however nothing has surpassed this one for me. I’m assuming that for those who’re right here, you understand what the film is about. But when not, the movie follows a younger lady who travels along with her emotionally distant boyfriend and his pals to Sweden for a standard competition that has darkish roots.
Should you haven’t watched it, CONSIDER THIS YOUR SPOILER ALERT.
The film is shot superbly by the splendidly gifted Ari Aster (this was solely his second movie). And the appearing is phenomenal – as a result of, in fact, Florence Pugh pulls it off in one in every of her finest roles. However there’s simply one thing about it that attracts me in each time. Now, on days after I really feel down, I discover myself drawn to it. Typically.
It’s A Lovely Illustration Of Grief And What It Does To Somebody
Breaking down why, I feel essentially the most vital rationalization as to what makes me discover consolation on this very uncomfortable movie is that it’s the proper portrayal of grief. In fact, outright, we see the way in which that Dani (Florence Pugh) grieves the lack of her household within the opening minutes of the movie, screaming and crying and having panic assaults as a result of that’s typical. It’s what most individuals would do on this conditions
Because the movie progresses, we see totally different phases of grief come collectively that remind me of instances I’ve misplaced somebody, or of dropping one thing beneficial to me that I actually wished, or experiencing vital ache. We see that silent, distant kind of grief. We see how she tries and clings to others to take care of it. There’s that unmistakable pull, that craving she craves for acceptance when she loses every thing – and it’s what leads her to hitch the ladies in that Might Queen dance across the maypole.
All of these totally different sorts of grief are arduous to painting, and it’s one thing that anybody, regardless of who, can join with. Perhaps that’s why I like Dani a lot – as a result of there’s a little bit little bit of her in all of us each time we’ve skilled a substantial loss in our lives.
I Additionally Don’t Thoughts Seeing The Folks Who Damage Her Get What’s Coming To Them
I simply need to preface this by saying that I don’t condone violence in any means. I’ll view a number of the most violent motion pictures on the market and revel in them, however I’m not saying to exit and bodily maintain those that wronged you.
That being stated, there’s something liberating about watching the individuals who harm Dani get taken down one after the other.
Granted, there are a number of who I don’t suppose deserve what got here to them. Josh (William Jackson Harper), for instance, didn’t appear to be a nasty man and genuinely seemed like he simply wished to do his venture and get the heck out of there as soon as he realized that issues have been a little bit screwy. However Mark? I didn’t cry for his loss of life when his face was skinned, and he was changed into the “idiot” for the burning.
And don’t even get me began on Christian. I hate that man with EVERY fiber of my being. The actor is nice! I hope he does much more in Hollywood. However I didn’t thoughts him getting burned in that cabin. Is it traumatizing and a horrible approach to die? In fact. Honestly, although, treating Dani like rubbish after she misplaced her whole household simply put a bitter style in my mouth. By the point the commune drugged him, I had misplaced all sympathy.
Personally, I Suppose I’ve Simply Linked To Dani In Many Methods
Perhaps what it comes all the way down to is that I join with Dani in some ways. I all the time felt that there are occasions in our lives after we really want folks round us, and if we don’t, we journey down a darkish and harmful highway. Midsommar virtually appears like a cautionary story about that—as a result of Dani didn’t discover the household she wanted after hers was taken from her, she fell into the one which understood her ache and stored her scared—even when it wasn’t what was wholesome.
It’s one thing that I feel all of us have completed a couple of times: leaning into one thing we all know isn’t nice as a coping mechanism. Certain, this film is that on a a lot larger scale, however it’s there all the identical. I feel I lean into it as consolation as a result of it jogs my memory that we’re not alone. We’re all coping with our grief and ache, and we have to discover methods to know the way to management it. If not, we fall into rabbit holes like this.
I don’t know; I feel I could be a little bit loopy. There are such a lot of upcoming horror movies, however usually, after I see them, I discover myself evaluating many to Midsommar and questioning if any will ever surpass that. I don’t suppose there are another horror motion pictures that can turn into a consolation to me like this one has…however film studios can attempt to make them.
Till then, I suppose I’ll simply look ahead to any new A24 horror movie. Or perhaps e book a session with a therapist. Who is aware of what the longer term will deliver?