Midsommar [Blu-ray/DVD]

Director: Ari Aster Ari Aster

Overview

Just as their relationship is on the brink of falling apart, couple Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor) are brought closer by a family tragedy. The mourning Dani then joins Christian and his friends, Josh (Will Poulter) and Mark (William Jackson Harper), on a trip to a rural Swedish village that is celebrating a once-in-a-blue-moon festival. As the tourists partake in the celebrations, they discover that the idyllic community holds many unnerving secrets, and it all unfolds in broad daylight. Written and directed by Ari Aster.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/08/2019
UPC:	0031398306870
Original Release:	2019
Rating:	R
Source:	LIONSGATE - 600000-AEC LGE
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:27:00
Sales rank:	11,882

Special Features

Let the festivities begin: manisfesting Midsommar; Bear in a Cage promo; English SDH Subtitles

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Florence Pugh	Dani
Jack Reynor	Christian
Vilhelm Blomgren	Pelle,Odd
William Jackson Harper	Josh
Will Poulter	Mark
Ellora Torchia	Connie
Archie Madekwe	Simon
Henrik Norlén	Ulf
Gunnel Fred	Siv
Isabelle Grill	Maja
Agnes Westerlund Rase	Dagny
Tyler Isabelle	Maja
Björn Andresen	Dan
Lars Väringer	Sten
Anna Åström	Karin
Hampus Hallberg	Ingemar
Anki Larsson	Irma
Liv Mjönes	Ulla
Louise Peterhoff	Hanna
Katarina Weidhagen	Ylva
Björn Andrésen	Dan
Tomas Engström	Jarl
Dag Andersson	Sven
Anders Beckman	Arne
Rebecka Johnston	Ulrika
Tove Skeidsvoll	Majvor
Anders Back	Valentin
Levente Puczkó-Smith	Ruben
Frans Rosengarten	Bror
Vilmos Kolba	Elder
Lars Varinger	The Laborer
Mihály Kaszás	Torbjörn
Gabi Fon	Dani's Mother
Zsolt Bojári	Dani's Father
Klaudia Csányi	Terri
Anna Berentz	Pizza Waitress
Austin R. Grant	Hipster Guy
Mark Cameron	Party Goer
Dóra Ferenczi	Teenager
Columba Gonzalez	Partygoer
Linnea Larsdotter	Singer,Voices
Johan Matton	Pilot
Balázs Megyeri	Harga
Julia Ragnarsson	Actor
The Haxan Cloak	Composer
Bobby Krlic	Composer

Technical Credits

Ari Aster	Director
Lars Knudsen	Producer
Thomas Benski	Executive Producer
Fredrik Heinig	Executive Producer
Philip Westgren	Executive Producer
Beau Ferris	Producer
Jeffrey Penman	Producer
Jessica Kelly	Casting
Jeanette Klintberg	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Artistically crafted in its own unique and disturbing way, director Ari Aster's Midsommar delivers a visually unnerving story of true believers, quasi-demonic rituals, and strange elements that resonate with the darker side of the human imagination. Realizing their relationship is on a downturn and on the verge of a break-up, Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor) remain together due to a devastating family tragedy. Shortly thereafter, Dani learns that Christian and his friends have been planning a trip to Sweden and to take part in a summer festival located in the quiet countryside. She decides to join them, and soon after their arrival in what is a seemingly peaceful, cultured and relaxing setting offered up by the locals, various festivities and ceremonies begin to unfold that become increasingly disturbing, leaving the novice group to question what this community is all about, what their ultimate intentions are, and if their safety may be at risk. This film's complexity could have brought about too much confusion and taken away from the quality of a good story, but Midsommar's smartly plotted execution and attention to detail draws upon many artistic disciplines and allows for a tight, bold, and entertaining experience. Adding to an impactful, well thought-out storyline, the relevant back-stories also offer another quality layer of depth, which ties in and plays out well as the story progresses. The main characters themselves are not necessarily mind-blowing in terms of their persona, but the acting holds up and takes the film to where it needs to be in terms of its believability. The supporting cast and background characters also work harmoniously to create a strong sense of authenticity. Despite the film being a bit drawn out, Midsommar is a testament to excellent filmmaking in that so much detail flows in a linear and cohesive way, ultimately making for a compelling and thought-provoking visual journey. In conjunction with its artistic direction, the cinematography completely captures the emotional and underlying tension throughout, allowing for a powerful and perpetual uneasiness from scene to scene. The music and sound work well to support the narrative and visual effects, and the spectacular set design allows the audience to become immersed in that world, ultimately driving home its realism. Clearly, the film is not intended for younger audiences, and some adults may even find it a bit over-the-top in terms violence and sexuality. However, it does not push the limits so far that the audience needs to repeatedly turn their heads. The story, as scary as it appears, is what resonates above all. The takeaway message is that what one group of individuals may see as normal, another may see as freakish and undeniably horrific. To that end, Midsommar may very well demonstrate that a cult can be equally viewed as bizarre or normal depending on if it is being looked at from the outside or from an inner perspective.