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Midsommar

Midsommar is a 2019 folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Midsommar is a 2019 folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. It stars Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as an American couple whose trip to a rural Swedish midsummer festival turns increasingly violent and unsettling. The film follows the couple and their friends as they are drawn into the commune's disturbing rituals.

Plot

Midsommar centres on Dani and Christian, a relationship-strained American couple who travel to Sweden with friends after a family tragedy. Their visit to a rural midsummer community gradually reveals violent pagan rituals and cult behaviour.

Cast

The film stars Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, with supporting performances from William Jackson Harper, Vilhelm Blomgren, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe, and Will Poulter.

Production and release

The film was written and directed by Ari Aster and released in 2019. Sources list its theatrical release as July 3, 2019, and its runtime at about 140 minutes.

Reception and classification

Midsommar is described by major film databases and reviews as a horror film with mystery and thriller elements, especially folk horror. Its content includes disturbing ritual violence, sexual content, nudity, drug use, and graphic imagery.

Key facts

  • The story follows a young American couple who travel with friends to a remote Swedish village for a midsummer festival.
  • The festival's rituals become increasingly disturbing and violent as the visitors are drawn into the commune's customs.
  • Florence Pugh plays Dani, and Jack Reynor plays Christian.
  • Ari Aster wrote and directed the film.
  • The film was released in theatres on July 3, 2019.
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Canadian context

Midsommar was distributed internationally and reviewed widely in Canada as part of the global release of a major contemporary horror film.

Frequently asked questions

What is Midsommar about?
It follows an American couple and their friends who visit a Swedish midsummer festival that turns into a violent cult experience.
Who directed Midsommar?
Ari Aster wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in Midsommar?
The lead roles are played by Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, with William Jackson Harper, Vilhelm Blomgren, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe, and Will Poulter in supporting roles.
When was Midsommar released?
It was released in theatres on July 3, 2019.
What genre is Midsommar?
It is generally classified as a folk horror film, and also listed as horror, mystery, and thriller.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsommar
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 2019 folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster, with principal cast.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midsommar-film
    Supports: Provides plot context, main characters, and genre framing.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/midsommar
    Supports: Provides release date, runtime, genre labels, and content/rating information.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/midsommar
    Supports: Provides release date, runtime, cast, director, and content advisory details.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8772262/
    Supports: Provides plot summary, cast, and basic film identification.