Better Late than Never on "Midsommar"

I have been pestering my wife for months now to watch the movie "Midsommar" with me. I wanted to see it in theaters, I was willing to rent it on iTunes and I finally convinced her to rent it on On Demand this past Saturday.

I heard pretty much nothing but good things about the movie from critics and people who's opinions in movies I trust and respect. I also like to watch a good psychological thriller around this time of year. Most people like straight up horror movies, but I prefer to have my mind twisted and bent in all wild directions. Those are the "Scary" movies that I enjoy. For example, last year around the same time my wife and I watched "The Babadook", which ruled by the way. So this year we finally got down to "Midsommar", and I have some thoughts.

First off, this might be one of the most unique and original movies that I have ever seen. There is nothing out there like this. It is uniquely its own thing. No one else has made a movie like this and went in this many directions. Also, the setting was beautiful, which made the cinematography wonderful. Wherever they shot this movie, it looks like a wonderful destination. I am envious of the actors getting to do this movie in such a beautiful place. And, for what it is worth, the movie has there rare moments of comedy, and it lands every single time. Any time a joke, or one liner or some kind of odd sight gag is put in, I found myself chuckling. Outside of that, I don't know what to think of "Midsommar".

This movie has had the same effect on me that "Joker" did, being that I cannot stop thinking about it. But, where "Joker" left me annoyed, "Midsommar" has simply confused me. I will not say it is a bad movie because it is not, but I also don't want to say it is a good movie. It is a unique movie, and you may want to take some mind altering drugs before watching it. Also, some of the imagery in this movie is very, very horrifying, and it is up close and personal when it appears on screen. You see caved in head, broken bones and skinned bodies, both human and animal. The movie also does a good job of sending up pagan rituals and religious communes. It does not paint them in the best light, and I think, personally, that is a good thing. Most of these communes have some deep, dark secrets from the past, and probably the present, and "Midsommar" does a good job of not glorifying that.

The movie was very hard to watch too. And that was good and bad. For one, it is very long, clocking in at around 2 and a half hours. There is also good chunks of the movie where no one speaks. There is just wailing and music accompanying the wailing. The two main characters say nothing for the last 25 minutes of the movie. But, the silence was perfect at times. It was needed because what you were seeing was so unsettling, and when I tried to put myself in that scenario, I would be speechless too. The movie also makes you feel like you are on drugs, and I have never done an illegal drug in my life. The way the plants and bushes and flowers moved when the characters were tripping felt so real and kept me in the movie.

"Midsommar" is a very ambitious, very bizarre and very strange movie. I'm glad that I saw it, but I don't think I will ever watch it again willingly. It is a good psychological movie if you are in to that type of thing, but just know, it is brutally violent as well. I would say to watch this just once if you are curious about, but know, it will stay with you and may even haunt you. What a bizarre movie this was, and I still can't shake it.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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