Ron St.Amant

The early horror gore shows the promise of Raimi as a filmmaker, though it can't find the place between camp and fright.

A modest thumbs up. The acting, especially on the part of Colletti as Stella, is the best part of the film. The monsters while visually interesting are often shot in too much darkness and the filmmakers rely too heavily on jump scares for fright. The hospital sequence is the best of the bunch. There is a thread that the characters nightmares help inform the particular "scary stories" but it never really lands.

Midsommar may be considered art in that it challenges and is at times visually stunning. But the tension and danger it builds toward is often so beyond the pale it bends toward comically absurd. At least it has one of the better final shots, not on the level of The Invitation but a reasonable analog.

Somewhat a Heart of Darkness in space, the film is ultimately a study in the danger of isolation and loneliness. The film is held together by a great performance by Brad Pitt and gorgeous cinematography and visual effects.

Suspenseful in the best way with a tense slow build. A great final shot that creates an additional twist.