Ari Aster’s sophomore feature, Midsommar, left a lasting impact on audiences in 2019 with its unsettling portrayal of toxic relationships, white supremacy, and mental health. The Director’s Cut, released a few months after the initial release, delves deeper into the intricacies of the characters and the movie’s themes, further humanizing the characters and making their relationships more believable. The seven-minute scene featuring a heated discussion between Dani and Christian sheds light on their unsatisfied relationship and underlying desires, giving Christian a deeper emotional depth.
The Director’s Cut amplifies the movie’s political undertone, showcasing how white supremacy thrives by exploiting people’s insecurities and desire for community. The additional scenes explore the Hårga’s rituals, providing more context to their belief system and the significance of their practices. These scenes highlight the obsessive focus of the Hårga on race, prioritizing blood purity and restricting their breeding to white outsiders. The extra footage also provides crucial insights into Connie’s fate, adding to the movie’s sense of unease.
A Still From Ari Aster’s Midsommar (Photo: Midsommar)
The added material effectively enhances the movie’s impact, providing a more immersive experience for viewers. The extra 23 minutes do not feel excessive, as they only serve to reinforce the characters’ relationships, the movie’s themes, and its political message. The Director’s Cut proves that sometimes more is better, and it is a testament to Aster’s mastery of crafting a complex and haunting story.
