Simon and Connie were the only good people on this movie. Christian, Josh, and Mark were such jerks to Dani. Pelle was the only one out of the four guys that had respect for Dani, even though he was the villain. Pelle was an affably evil mastermind.
Haha yeah Pelle came off so charming, Vilhelm Blomgren's performance was fantastic. It's interesting because Pelle and Harga are the villains when you look at the film as a folk-horror story. And Christian, Josh, and Mark, are the villains when you look at the film as a fairytale. It's super cool for the film to have those two angles. Thank you so much for watching!!
When I see that you do a review of a movie, I immediately put it on my "to view" list and I haven't yet been disappointed. What's truly scary about this movie is the fact that everything is happening in broad daylight (even at "midnight" it's still day that period of the year in that area), and all the clues for the "strange" behavior are there: from the awkward way of talking, to the things seen on walls and the things found in food and drinks. Even after people start disappearing strangely, the remaining ones still get more and more immersed into the experience, failing to realize what's actually happening. I see this in a lot of comments and reviews: "the ending is happy one at least". But is it really? Did Dani actually embrace all the things seen or has she been slowly manipulated to hate her boyfriend so much that she feels happy having the power to decide it's fate? Another point that proves the ending might hide it's true nature: when the fire burns everyone inside, she's the only one smiling, she's more crazy(seen by the strange faces she makes: one time she's devastated, then she's smiling) than the people in the community: they at least try to connect with the sacrificed victims, sharing their screams and contortions while she just enjoys seeing his ex bf suffer a fate worse than death! Awesome movie, I want to rewatch it!
Wow thank you so much! It really means a lot to hear that the videos continue to be engaging, I’m so glad you like them!! And yes, I totally agree that the ending can be seen as an unhappy ending. Dani is essentially being manipulated as part of this big plan orchestrated by the commune. And like you said, it’s like she’s getting revenge on her villain by just becoming a much bigger villain. And I love the way you interpreted Dani’s smiling, separating it from the other Harga people’s reaction. So yeah I really think it’s meant to be taken in many different ways. I love the fairytale angle but I also love the many other theories I’ve heard including yours! Thank you so much again for watching!!
Dani had issues before her family died, she alludes to this when she talks to her friend. The rocky relationship is also evidence of this. I think it's a mistake to believe the deaths started her problems. The cultists admit they send people out to find new people to bring back. Pelle was on a mission, and he spotted a prime target in Dani. The cult then focused on brainwashing Dani into the cult while separating her from her connections to non cult people. This is a horror film so all this is done using horror movie elements. The cult also makes extensive use of mind altering drugs, this is key. They are all drugged almost the moment they arrive, actually before they even get to the cult. The importance of it is that it makes their decisions into cult manipulated decisions. For example, Dani does not choose to sacrifice Christian. That choice was determined by the cult guiding her to that position from the beginning, and the cult employed lots of drugs to make it happen. So at the end the cult's efforts bear fruit, Dani is theirs and she has been completely separated from her previous life. She is stuck with them and has no way out even if she was mentally able to want out. She's in a far worse position with them than she was with Christian even though he was a complete jerk. She is not happy, she's smiling because she is no longer Dani. That's how i saw the movie.
Poor Christian! His flaws were passivity, indecision, cowardice. He was just a distant not great boyfriend. I think that's part of the black comedy, to take a modern breakup and give it operatic significance. (Certainly he doesn't 'deserve' drugging, being raped, and burnt alive.) And Dani finds a new family by being absorbed into a cult that erases any individuality. But she finds her prince in Pelle, the 'happy' end she thought she wanted.
I read in the interviews that it was several months of research. He went on a long trip around the Scandinavia with a friend on his film team and they just took in the history and culture. Apparently, it was a lot of reading and sight-seeing, and he just combined that new knowledge with his endless knowledge of film and classic stories. It all really adds up when you notice the care and detail in the visuals and dialogue. I feel like research helps so much to make the movie immersive for the viewer, like there's this history and future beyond just the runtime of the film. I feel like Eggers has this same effect on me and he is crazy about research. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video by the way! Thank you so much for watching!!
@@lucasblue20 I forgot about Eggers but you're so right! I prefer Ari's film's more but it goes without saying that Eggers is a great filmmaker as well, I really loved the lighthouse when I first saw it. Kind of off topic but I'm a writer myself and haven't had to do much research for any of my stories but I'm sure there might come a day when I need to. It impresses and intimidates me (for lack of a better word) that they can manage to do so much thorough research and retain so much knowledge. I guess it helps they have more time to do so but like what you were saying, their films are so detailed it's impossible to take everything in even after two viewings. It's remarkable and on a personal level makes me feel like I need to start practicing or learning techniques about doing proper research because it's clearly beneficial in entertaining the audience and adding more depth to the story.
Oh wow you're a writer! That is so awesome! When you get something made, I'll be the first to analyze it!! And there are also plenty of filmmakers that, for me, are on the level of Eggers and Aster, and they don't seem like they've done too much research. Like I feel like if a writer/filmmaker can draw from deep feelings within them or use their imagination to create their own new world, that is just as impressive. Greta Gerwig for example I feel like doesn't need crazy research because she draws from her deepest feelings of the young female experience in her two films and that's what makes them so touching. I could say the same thing about Jordan Peele who uses a lot of the knowledge that he already has and is enormously important to him like the black experience, or the ceaseless glorification of classism. I'm just one viewer, but I believe drawing from what is important to you, or what is uniquely you, as a human being, is what can set you apart as a writer, director, or artist. I've noticed this pattern with the best filmmakers, musicians, comedians that create timeless art. Sorry this is long but my passion tends to overflow when it comes to this kind of stuff but I hope my thoughts help in any possible way. I will seriously analyze your content if you film it!
@@lucasblue20 Dang. I'm not saying this just as a fan but thank you, really, I've heard similar things over the years but never seen it spelled out like that. It's like a go with your gut thing instead of trying real hard to create something that a lot of people will like. We have to put in our own experiences, thoughts and interpretations about life or whatever were writing about into the story. Like using our brain but going with our heart to tell the kind of story we want to tell. Plus, that's what will make it unique and set it apart from the same old stories. I'm gonna check out Greta, I appreciate the suggestion. No bs but it'd be like a dream come true if you analyzed a film I made! Hope you have a great day or night man, it was great chatting with you!🤜
I'm so extremely glad this connects with you, I really wish you the best and it would be a dream for me to make that video one day! It was great chatting with you as well, thanks for everything!!
The first time I saw it, I understood the opening tapestry as being made BEFORE the action, and consequently everything as having been orchestrated by Pelle, and so HE had actually killed her sister and parents !! You can imagine the total stress that created for the rest of the film😂😂 I realised on my second watch that the tapestry was certainly created after so the whole thing was a kinda flashback in fact!
Ohhhh outstanding Lucas, thank you!! I’m currently binging your old videos. I LOVE LOVE LOVE AA’s films, all 3 are absolutely brilliant, and as disturbing as they are and hard to watch the first time, they are surprisingly endlessly rewatchable!!! AND all so brilliantly cast too!!! I still think Hereditary is his best, imho, but Midsommar is my personal favourite, and I do prefer it with the deleted scenes reinserted!
I agree with you completely, Midsommar is one of my most rewatched movies. He really can cast and direct, everyone is so good and memorable. I'm so glad you're enjoying these, it's really nice to hear, thank you!!
Christian’s selfishness?? First of all, he has rights as a human being to choose how he wants to live his life and who he wants to live it with. I understand that Dani’s life is tragic, but just because Christian happened to be dating her while it happened, does not mean he’s suddenly forced by chains into a lifelong relationship with her. They were having issues prior to the deaths of her family (Dani admits this herself) and Christian was most likely feeling involuntarily guilted into staying with her because she was relying on him to be there for her constantly. Of course, Christian should have just ended the relationship prior to it getting that bad but him sticking through the constant needs from her and the avoidance of his own life goals, is actually a tribute to his character and genuine care for her in a way.
Moral of the story : dating only people grieving a bad breakup listening to Celine Dion eating icecream and Ferrero Rocher😀 On a more serious note, it seems like a trippy initiatory journey.
Hahaha yeah and be a good boyfriend, and yes, it is very much a trippy initiatory journey! It's like a devolution when you look at it from the folk horror angle, but it's an evolution when you look at it from a fairytale angle, it's pretty crazy!
Wow, it’s this take on the film that is the actual horror. People who think this is a “bad boyfriend gets what he deserves” tale is a great way to ensure I distrust a person who holds this views judgement. This movie was about how easy it is to be indoctrinated into a cult and to do the most horrific things all while feeling completely justified and righteous. Her smile at the end is the horror you numbskull. You may want to reconsider your point of view here. I’m glad I stumbled on this film. It really brings out people’s true character and inability to see nuance and ambiguity. A disappointing boyfriend doesn’t deserve to be burned alive. Nor do the others deserve to be murdered. This is a death cult pure and simple. Just wrapped in a lovely, bright, warm sun filled smile.
upon reflection i'm pretty sure pelle killed dani's family. i believe after meeting her through christian he saw how christian didn't treat her right and how she was a punching bag for her sister. he engineered her entire trip so she could become may queen, giving her the true family she deserved
I started wondering if that was the case after about my 3rd watch of this movie. It definitely seems plausible, but I like that we don't Actually know if Pelle orchestrated the event, or if Dani's sister did commit a murder/suicide.
Simon and Connie were the only good people on this movie. Christian, Josh, and Mark were such jerks to Dani. Pelle was the only one out of the four guys that had respect for Dani, even though he was the villain. Pelle was an affably evil mastermind.
Haha yeah Pelle came off so charming, Vilhelm Blomgren's performance was fantastic. It's interesting because Pelle and Harga are the villains when you look at the film as a folk-horror story. And Christian, Josh, and Mark, are the villains when you look at the film as a fairytale. It's super cool for the film to have those two angles. Thank you so much for watching!!
@@lucasblue20 No problem, Lucas.
This my favorite modern horror movie and it’s movie analysis like this that make me appreciate the movie even more 😍, thank you love your work!
When I see that you do a review of a movie, I immediately put it on my "to view" list and I haven't yet been disappointed.
What's truly scary about this movie is the fact that everything is happening in broad daylight (even at "midnight" it's still day that period of the year in that area), and all the clues for the "strange" behavior are there: from the awkward way of talking, to the things seen on walls and the things found in food and drinks. Even after people start disappearing strangely, the remaining ones still get more and more immersed into the experience, failing to realize what's actually happening.
I see this in a lot of comments and reviews: "the ending is happy one at least". But is it really? Did Dani actually embrace all the things seen or has she been slowly manipulated to hate her boyfriend so much that she feels happy having the power to decide it's fate?
Another point that proves the ending might hide it's true nature: when the fire burns everyone inside, she's the only one smiling, she's more crazy(seen by the strange faces she makes: one time she's devastated, then she's smiling) than the people in the community: they at least try to connect with the sacrificed victims, sharing their screams and contortions while she just enjoys seeing his ex bf suffer a fate worse than death!
Awesome movie, I want to rewatch it!
Wow thank you so much! It really means a lot to hear that the videos continue to be engaging, I’m so glad you like them!! And yes, I totally agree that the ending can be seen as an unhappy ending. Dani is essentially being manipulated as part of this big plan orchestrated by the commune. And like you said, it’s like she’s getting revenge on her villain by just becoming a much bigger villain. And I love the way you interpreted Dani’s smiling, separating it from the other Harga people’s reaction. So yeah I really think it’s meant to be taken in many different ways. I love the fairytale angle but I also love the many other theories I’ve heard including yours! Thank you so much again for watching!!
That "may day play day pole" was at my elementary and preschool as a kid Im now learning it's associates with witchcraft
This movie was insane especially the ending.
Dani had issues before her family died, she alludes to this when she talks to her friend. The rocky relationship is also evidence of this. I think it's a mistake to believe the deaths started her problems. The cultists admit they send people out to find new people to bring back. Pelle was on a mission, and he spotted a prime target in Dani. The cult then focused on brainwashing Dani into the cult while separating her from her connections to non cult people. This is a horror film so all this is done using horror movie elements. The cult also makes extensive use of mind altering drugs, this is key. They are all drugged almost the moment they arrive, actually before they even get to the cult. The importance of it is that it makes their decisions into cult manipulated decisions. For example, Dani does not choose to sacrifice Christian. That choice was determined by the cult guiding her to that position from the beginning, and the cult employed lots of drugs to make it happen. So at the end the cult's efforts bear fruit, Dani is theirs and she has been completely separated from her previous life. She is stuck with them and has no way out even if she was mentally able to want out. She's in a far worse position with them than she was with Christian even though he was a complete jerk. She is not happy, she's smiling because she is no longer Dani. That's how i saw the movie.
thats the correct explanation...
searched this on purpose in your channel, Good work, Lucas!
Poor Christian! His flaws were passivity, indecision, cowardice. He was just a distant not great boyfriend. I think that's part of the black comedy, to take a modern breakup and give it operatic significance. (Certainly he doesn't 'deserve' drugging, being raped, and burnt alive.) And Dani finds a new family by being absorbed into a cult that erases any individuality. But she finds her prince in Pelle, the 'happy' end she thought she wanted.
I've always thought of Pelle as the Devil and Flo P as the Angel of Darkness.
This is actually such a great way of putting it haha I very much so would agree! Thank you so much for watching!!
How much research, time wise, do you think Ari did for this movie? (Awesome video btw!)
I read in the interviews that it was several months of research. He went on a long trip around the Scandinavia with a friend on his film team and they just took in the history and culture. Apparently, it was a lot of reading and sight-seeing, and he just combined that new knowledge with his endless knowledge of film and classic stories. It all really adds up when you notice the care and detail in the visuals and dialogue. I feel like research helps so much to make the movie immersive for the viewer, like there's this history and future beyond just the runtime of the film. I feel like Eggers has this same effect on me and he is crazy about research. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video by the way! Thank you so much for watching!!
@@lucasblue20 I forgot about Eggers but you're so right! I prefer Ari's film's more but it goes without saying that Eggers is a great filmmaker as well, I really loved the lighthouse when I first saw it. Kind of off topic but I'm a writer myself and haven't had to do much research for any of my stories but I'm sure there might come a day when I need to. It impresses and intimidates me (for lack of a better word) that they can manage to do so much thorough research and retain so much knowledge. I guess it helps they have more time to do so but like what you were saying, their films are so detailed it's impossible to take everything in even after two viewings. It's remarkable and on a personal level makes me feel like I need to start practicing or learning techniques about doing proper research because it's clearly beneficial in entertaining the audience and adding more depth to the story.
Oh wow you're a writer! That is so awesome! When you get something made, I'll be the first to analyze it!! And there are also plenty of filmmakers that, for me, are on the level of Eggers and Aster, and they don't seem like they've done too much research. Like I feel like if a writer/filmmaker can draw from deep feelings within them or use their imagination to create their own new world, that is just as impressive.
Greta Gerwig for example I feel like doesn't need crazy research because she draws from her deepest feelings of the young female experience in her two films and that's what makes them so touching. I could say the same thing about Jordan Peele who uses a lot of the knowledge that he already has and is enormously important to him like the black experience, or the ceaseless glorification of classism.
I'm just one viewer, but I believe drawing from what is important to you, or what is uniquely you, as a human being, is what can set you apart as a writer, director, or artist. I've noticed this pattern with the best filmmakers, musicians, comedians that create timeless art.
Sorry this is long but my passion tends to overflow when it comes to this kind of stuff but I hope my thoughts help in any possible way. I will seriously analyze your content if you film it!
@@lucasblue20 Dang. I'm not saying this just as a fan but thank you, really, I've heard similar things over the years but never seen it spelled out like that. It's like a go with your gut thing instead of trying real hard to create something that a lot of people will like. We have to put in our own experiences, thoughts and interpretations about life or whatever were writing about into the story. Like using our brain but going with our heart to tell the kind of story we want to tell. Plus, that's what will make it unique and set it apart from the same old stories. I'm gonna check out Greta, I appreciate the suggestion. No bs but it'd be like a dream come true if you analyzed a film I made! Hope you have a great day or night man, it was great chatting with you!🤜
I'm so extremely glad this connects with you, I really wish you the best and it would be a dream for me to make that video one day! It was great chatting with you as well, thanks for everything!!
The first time I saw it, I understood the opening tapestry as being made BEFORE the action, and consequently everything as having been orchestrated by Pelle, and so HE had actually killed her sister and parents !! You can imagine the total stress that created for the rest of the film😂😂 I realised on my second watch that the tapestry was certainly created after so the whole thing was a kinda flashback in fact!
I didn’t know what was going on with this movie. Thanks!
Ohhhh outstanding Lucas, thank you!! I’m currently binging your old videos. I LOVE LOVE LOVE AA’s films, all 3 are absolutely brilliant, and as disturbing as they are and hard to watch the first time, they are surprisingly endlessly rewatchable!!! AND all so brilliantly cast too!!! I still think Hereditary is his best, imho, but Midsommar is my personal favourite, and I do prefer it with the deleted scenes reinserted!
I agree with you completely, Midsommar is one of my most rewatched movies. He really can cast and direct, everyone is so good and memorable. I'm so glad you're enjoying these, it's really nice to hear, thank you!!
Christian’s selfishness?? First of all, he has rights as a human being to choose how he wants to live his life and who he wants to live it with. I understand that Dani’s life is tragic, but just because Christian happened to be dating her while it happened, does not mean he’s suddenly forced by chains into a lifelong relationship with her. They were having issues prior to the deaths of her family (Dani admits this herself) and Christian was most likely feeling involuntarily guilted into staying with her because she was relying on him to be there for her constantly. Of course, Christian should have just ended the relationship prior to it getting that bad but him sticking through the constant needs from her and the avoidance of his own life goals, is actually a tribute to his character and genuine care for her in a way.
Moral of the story : dating only people grieving a bad breakup listening to Celine Dion eating icecream and Ferrero Rocher😀
On a more serious note, it seems like a trippy initiatory journey.
Hahaha yeah and be a good boyfriend, and yes, it is very much a trippy initiatory journey! It's like a devolution when you look at it from the folk horror angle, but it's an evolution when you look at it from a fairytale angle, it's pretty crazy!
Midsommar is one of my favorite movies
Hope you enjoy! What were your thoughts, ideas, or questions about Midsommar? I would love to discuss!!
It's Pay-lay (Pele), not Pell, lol!!
Wow, it’s this take on the film that is the actual horror. People who think this is a “bad boyfriend gets what he deserves” tale is a great way to ensure I distrust a person who holds this views judgement. This movie was about how easy it is to be indoctrinated into a cult and to do the most horrific things all while feeling completely justified and righteous. Her smile at the end is the horror you numbskull. You may want to reconsider your point of view here. I’m glad I stumbled on this film. It really brings out people’s true character and inability to see nuance and ambiguity. A disappointing boyfriend doesn’t deserve to be burned alive. Nor do the others deserve to be murdered. This is a death cult pure and simple. Just wrapped in a lovely, bright, warm sun filled smile.
Y are U talking like everything is a question????
Why are you not using words?!?😂
upon reflection i'm pretty sure pelle killed dani's family. i believe after meeting her through christian he saw how christian didn't treat her right and how she was a punching bag for her sister. he engineered her entire trip so she could become may queen, giving her the true family she deserved
I started wondering if that was the case after about my 3rd watch of this movie. It definitely seems plausible, but I like that we don't Actually know if Pelle orchestrated the event, or if Dani's sister did commit a murder/suicide.
love this too jus came after the hereditary vid keep it up