As a gamer who’s lived through countless psychological roller coasters in virtual worlds, I can confidently say that Ari Aster’s Midsommar is a cinematic journey that rivals my most immersive gaming experiences. The ending, with its fiery climax, leaves you questioning reality, much like the final boss battles in some of my favorite games.
Over the last few years, director Ari Aster has given us some truly terrifying movies that stand tall among the best horror films ever made. His second film, Midsommar, shared a similar feel with his debut, Hereditary. Both films presented twisted narratives where characters found themselves swallowed by the disturbing realms they entered. This is particularly true of Florence Pugh‘s character Dani from Midsommar, released in 2019. Now, the film’s leading actress is providing her unique take on the movie’s dramatic finale.
In a captivating twist of events, as Florence Pugh put it, the film “Midsommar” portrays Dani’s journey alongside her boyfriend and others to a Swedish cult. The film culminates in an extraordinary climax where Dani is chosen as the May Queen by the Hårga, a role that requires her to select the ninth sacrifice to banish the dark influence within this warped community. With vibrant flowers adorning her and a familiar frown on her face, Dani makes a heart-wrenching choice: her partner, Christian, who she catches engaged in a secret ritual. He is subsequently placed inside a bear’s hollowed-out carcass and compelled to ignite within the wooden temple alongside eight other cult members.
In the WIRED Autocomplete Interview, Florence Pugh, co-starring with Andrew Garfield in the 2024 film release “We Live in Time”, expressed her thoughts about the movie’s enigmatic ending. While many viewers interpret the character’s actions as a psychotic break, Pugh suggests there might be additional layers to it.
In a separate draft from Ari, the director, we find a new concept: She experiences a psychotic breakdown. The incident where she, presumably unintentionally, sets Christian, her boyfriend, on fire serves as the trigger. Throughout the narrative, she repeatedly relives this psychotic episode. At the climax, when everything is ablaze, I aimed to capture my feelings as a five-year-old during Bonfire Night. The thrill of flames was revisited as an attempt to return to a basic and uncomplicated existence, where simple occurrences evoke such strong emotions in children. Since it seemed she was no longer present in that final moment, I wanted to portray this childlike simplicity.
After enduring the tragic loss of her sister and parents due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Dani was adrift. Even Christian, who she was involved with in a damaging relationship, struggled to console her during her darkest moments. When the Hårga cult offered Dani solace amidst her tears, albeit artificially, she experienced a feeling of acceptance there and found herself uncertain about where else to seek refuge.
Observing Dani’s blissful smile as she watches the temple burning, with her boyfriend inside, suggests she may be deeply immersed in this Swedish cult and disconnected from reality’s normal perspective. Indeed, it could be argued that Dani is experiencing a psychotic episode, where what seems disturbing to us appears captivating to her.
Although Florence Pugh’s portrayal resonates with me, I personally align more with Ari Aster’s interpretation of the ending. The actress from “Falling” suggests that Dani might not have fully comprehended her actions when she chose Christian as the final sacrifice. She feels that Dani was more focused on the fire rising rather than intentionally doing something malicious.
The director of the movie “Beau is Afraid” shared that he drew inspiration for the script following a breakup. It appears he harbors a twisted, self-serving fantasy that Dani knew about Christian’s fate after being consumed by flames at the temple. However, even if Florence Pugh’s perspective on her character differs from her director’s, it seems her portrayal significantly enhanced the horror film’s final scene, and I must admit it was effective. You can view their full interview below:
In spite of varying opinions about the film’s ending, I believe many fans would concur that Florence Pugh is outstanding in Ari Aster’s movie. Her portrayal effectively shows that the Dani character at the end of the movie is significantly different from the one we initially meet. It’s worth mentioning that this horror film from A24 is one of their finest, and both Florence Pugh and Ari Aster are due recognition for their dedication to the project.
If you’re up for it, rewatch the acclaimed film “Midsommar” – one of the top movies from the 2010s – which is now accessible on your Max subscription. Additionally, don’t miss Florence Pugh in the upcoming 2024 movie release of “We Live in Time,” currently showing in select theaters with limited screenings.
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2024-10-15 23:09