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Drama thriller

Midsommar (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Midsommar (2019) movie poster

Midsommar is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Ari Aster, starring Florence Pugh as Dani, Jack Reynor and William Jackson Harper. It runs 2 hours 27 minutes and earned $48.5 million worldwide on a $9 million budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Horror Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$48.5M
award nominations
3
Midsommar (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 27m (147 min)
Director
Ari Aster
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Midsommar About?

The premise of Midsommar without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following a personal tragedy, a young woman and her boyfriend travel to Sweden for a traditional midsummer festival in a remote village. What begins as an idyllic retreat soon descends into a disturbing and bizarre sequence of events. As the days pass, the group's initial innocence gives way to unsettling rituals and a growing sense of dread, blurring the lines between celebration and something far more sinister. The couple's already fragile relationship is pushed to its breaking point amidst the increasingly strange occurrences.

Midsommar Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • religious cult
  • cult
  • summer festival
  • grief
  • burned alive
  • isolated community
  • sweden
  • human sacrifice
  • paganism
  • suicide
  • sex ritual
  • funeral pyre
+38 more
  • panic attack
  • ritual sacrifice
  • death of parents
  • emotional breakdown
  • head bashed in
  • flower crown
  • hallucination
  • drugs
  • nervous breakdown
  • female protagonist
  • couple
  • folk horror
  • summer
  • sex scene
  • male frontal nudity
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • trip
  • female nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • bear
  • religious ceremony
  • ceremonial dance
  • head mutilated
  • cruelty
  • thesis
  • nudity
  • caged bear
  • crushed head
  • drugged
  • mental breakdown
  • public nudity
  • ritual sex
  • attestupa
  • swedish summer
  • young couple
  • missionary sex position
  • traumatized protagonist
Where to watch

Where to Watch Midsommar

Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Midsommar Cast & Characters

Florence Pugh leads the cast as Dani, with Jack Reynor as Christian and William Jackson Harper as Josh. Directed by Ari Aster; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Midsommar Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Midsommar 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Midsommar Echo Score Breakdown

Midsommar presents a striking, unsettling exploration of grief and communal rites that is grounded in bold visual creativity. Across its lengthy runtime, the film alternates between immersive, thought-provoking sequences about individual alienation and moments of lurching narrative momentum. While its hypnotic imagery and thematic ambition frequently captivate, uneven pacing and occasionally thin character motivations can disrupt engagement. Ultimately, the film emerges as a compelling but sometimes overextended experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, Midsommar excels with deliberate direction and memorable cinematography. Bold camera movements traverse the bright daylight settings, while the vibrant color palette punctuates key moments. The production design of the Swedish commune feels meticulously crafted, and measured editing sustains tension. Overall, the visual execution remains one of the film’s most compelling strengths.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by Florence Pugh’s nuanced performance but is hindered by uneven supporting roles. The chemistry fluctuates amid brief but impactful emotional beats, and moments of genuine resonance occur around traumatic rites. Despite some underdeveloped relationships, the lead portrayal provides a compelling emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Midsommar presents an original premise grounded in folk horror but suffers from uneven pacing. The gradual build of dread and thematic exploration of grief and community remain engaging, yet the extended 147-minute runtime leads to narrative lulls and occasional self-parodic moments. Some character choices feel unmotivated, which can undermine coherence. Overall, the plot intrigues but occasionally drags.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film immerses viewers through cohesive visuals and robust sound design. The piercing daylight cinematography and sudden bursts of color create visceral contrasts, while the unsettling chants and ambient score heighten tension. The graphic imagery and strategic use of silence contribute to an enduring atmosphere of unease. Overall, sensory elements are exceptionally effective.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, Midsommar offers moderate replay value through its rich symbolism and striking set pieces. Recurring motifs and thematic depth invite further analysis, yet the relentless atmosphere and graphic content may deter repeated viewings for some. Additionally, the film’s length and unremitting tone can feel taxing on a second watch. Overall, the appeal endures but is somewhat niche.

Plot

Midsommar Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Midsommar from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with a haunting mural depicting a surreal ritual, accompanied by the eerie sound of folk songs and imagery of dark, snow-covered forests. Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh) attempts to reach her family but is met with only voicemail. Concerned for her bipolar sister Terri (Klauda Csanyi), who recently left a troubling message, she also contacts her boyfriend Christian Hughes (Jack Reynor). Christian, who is out with his friends Josh (William Jackson Harper), Mark (Will Poulter), and Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren), reassures Dani that her sister’s behavior is just another episode, and advises her that she feeds into Terri’s issues. Shortly after their conversation, troubling news arrives; authorities discover that Terri has tragically killed their parents in a carbon monoxide accident.

Full summary

The whole story of Midsommar, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Midsommar Box Office & Budget

Midsommar grossed $48.5 million worldwide on a $9 million budget, 5.4 times what it cost. $27.4 million came from the US and Canada and $21.1 million (43%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$48.5M

5.4× its budget

US & Canada
$27.4M
International
$21.1M
Budget
$9M
US & Canada 57% Rest of the world 43%
Awards

Midsommar Awards & Nominations

Midsommar earned 3 award nominations, including Best Horror Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Midsommar Trailers & Videos

20 videos: 2 trailers, 10 teasers, 3 clips and 5 featurettes.

All 20 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser UK TV Spot 1
  • Teaser UK TV Spot 2
  • Teaser UK TV Spot 3
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Midsommar?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event heavily impacts Dani at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in Midsommar

3 cars on screen, including the 2009 Renault Grand Scénic and the 2005 Subaru Outback.

  • 2009 Renault Grand Scénic in Midsommar 2009 Renault Grand Scénic Important role
  • 2005 Subaru Outback in Midsommar 2005 Subaru Outback Minor role
  • 1980 Volkswagen Transporter Pick-up T3 Typ 2 in Midsommar 1980 Volkswagen Transporter Pick-up T3 Typ 2 Background role
Details

Midsommar Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Midsommar - O Mal Não Espera a Noite” and “Midsommar : Solstice d'été”.

Also known as
  • Midsommar - O Mal Não Espera a Noite
  • Midsommar : Solstice d'été
  • 미드소마
  • Ritüel
  • Midsummer
  • Midsommar: Director's Cut
  • ミッドサマー:2019
  • Lễ Hội Đẫm Máu
  • Фестивал страха
  • Сонцастаянне
  • Сонцестояння
  • Мидсомар
+23 more
  • Солнцестояние
  • Midsommar - loputon yö
  • Μεσοκαλόκαιρο
  • Midsommar - Il villaggio dei dannati
  • Midsommar. W biały dzień
  • Fehér éjszakák
  • 仲夏夜惊魂
  • Slunovrat
  • Midsommar: el terror no espera la noche
  • Saulės kultas
  • Средина лета
  • Slnovrat
  • מידסומר
  • เทศกาลสยอง
  • 仲夏魘
  • Midsommar: O Mal Não Espera a Noite
  • Midsommar - O Ritual
  • ミッドサマー
  • Midsommar: Lễ Hội Hạ Chí
  • منتصف الصيف
  • Saulgriežu kults
  • Festival straha, შუა ზაფხული
  • Jaanipäev

Seen Midsommar?

FAQ

Midsommar FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Midsommar, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Midsommar?

Midsommar runs 2 hours 27 minutes (147 minutes).

When was Midsommar released?

Midsommar was released on July 3, 2019.

Who directed Midsommar?

Midsommar was directed by Ari Aster.

More films by Ari Aster

Who is in the cast of Midsommar?

Midsommar stars Florence Pugh as Dani, Jack Reynor as Christian and William Jackson Harper as Josh, among 17 credited actors.

Where can I watch Midsommar?

In the US, Midsommar is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Midsommar make at the box office?

Midsommar grossed $48.5 million worldwide ($27.4 million domestic, $21.1 million international) on a budget of $9 million.

How is Midsommar rated?

Midsommar has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Midsommar nominated for any awards?

Midsommar received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

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