Here’s a fairly lengthy video detailing why I get quite a kick out of the Midsommar movie. Ari (m)Aster much? My Socials: Instagram: / batcho_batcho Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/Sean_Ernesto/
I like how you said that Midsommar and The Wicker Man have two completely different feelings, because whenever I tried explaining that to my friends they said I was crazy 😭😭😭
I am happy I didn't see the extended cut of Dani's realization that Christian ain't shit. It's too on the nose. Us being confused if she actually gets it makes the movie more terrifying. I honestly thought she would pick him in this longing feeling of love, to die so he didn't have to suffer, and mourn it. The end took me for a loop, because she wasn't the perpetual victim, but assumed happiness in ridding him. If I saw her assume that power beforehand, the end wouldn't have seemed as eerie. I'm sad the drowning pageantry was left out, though, as well as further details about the early deaths.
Such a lovely watch! Listened to most of it as an audio book on my hour walk to work and just rewatched it with visuals after work! Banging video and super in-depth and interesting breakdown/analysis. You mentioned a lot of things I’ve missed on my watches so I’ll probably end up watching it again tonight to experience it again with this new insight. My first video of yours I’ve seen as it was recommended to me, but I’ll definitely be tuning in more! Great video! Thanks for the hard work that goes into making such an excellent piece of TH-cam.
i’ve been falling asleep to this video for a week (in a good way). it’s such a good analysis and you have what i call “NPR voice”. so soothing, so nice and slow. thanks batcho
Wonderful analysis! I don't think I've seen a video that actually went deep into the dynamics of the group before, during, and after the cult's influence so thoroughly the way you have! You going over each character and their faults and flaws is a super refreshing watch! I will say a thing I always thought about Pelle's dismissal of Josh as his and his family's very clear racism/white supremacy- I fully think he might've never even liked Josh in the first place.
The Haarga have definite white supremacy parallels/overtones and they were covered in another video. There is a certain flavour of paganism that is very far right and indeed some of the OG Nazis were pagans.
I know intellectually this is a horror movie and that the cult is evil and that she’s completely brainwashed and insane by the end, but I can’t help feeling it’s a happy story with a happy ending. I know that’s not the “correct” takeaway from the film, but I couldn’t help but feel it. I wanted to run away and join their Sunshine death cult too lol
Same! I remember feeling so mentally exhausted and blind sided by the cult and the manipulation of the movie itself that I genuinely thought "good for her" at the end. Then after a few days of the Ari Aster Trauma Effect, realized that Dani just went from one horrible relationship to an even worse fate.
Thank you for not going easy on Christian just bc he was technically r-worded bc he was absolutely down to have sex with a child and he was NOT drugged. he knew exactly what the Harga were doing and he still decided to get high and go through with it. Ofc once someone gets that high, they cannot consent, but he absolutely wanted it when he had all his faculties, that's the whole reason he got high. He was going to r-word someone, then had it happen to him instead. Sucks to suck
Bloody brilliant video Batcho. Could listen to you talk about films all day. I find everything you put out enjoyable and i can’t wait to see what other bangers you create.
This was recommended to me and the first watch was a bit too much?? This review would've given answers to my confusion and question marks so thank you for this review, loved it!!
For me, I always knew she wasn't really in danger, because in the beginning when the snow falls, and you hear a woman singing in swedish, I immediately recognized Florence's voice. So even during the whatch when I was worried for her, I knew she was gonna join, because she would learn swedish and sing the freeing songs. Having that in back of my head was also somehow even more eerie. Because somehow you get the sense that you want to root for her to get her community.
I agree that Wicker Man and Midsommar have very different themes. As you laid out, Midsommar is about the importance of emotional support and community, and the lengths a person will go to find that. Wicker Man is about faith, and how the paganism of the islanders compares and contrasts with the evangelical Christianity of officer Howie. Both 10/10 films though.
I've been going down a video essay rabbit hole lately but this might be the best one I've ever seen. You put into words so many of the thoughts I had about the movie that I couldn't quite articulate and you did it so accurately and beautifully. Also, damn you have a nice voice. And an awesome accent lol
'the unfathomable despair' that and the similar bit in hereditary are among my favourite bits of film. we see grief in films all the time but rarely like this
I think it would be really interesting to do a proper comparison of Midsommar and the Wicker Man, like look at how they use the same aesthetics and basic idea of an outsider coming into a cult and being sacrificed to very different effects.
Great review. You probably could be a relationship adviser-you read the subtext between characters really well. Loved your take on the moment the four characters are sitting together, each completely in their own world. The character relationships are what makes the movie more than just folk horror. What about Pelle though? Is he going to be a better boyfriend to Dani, or just another (more skilled) gaslighter?
I would absolutely love a deep dive of Nope. There is a ton of things you can dive into for UFO/UAP, which is seemingly growing with the David Grusch testimony. But even within the confines of the movie there is that weird (unexplained) guy on his computer and the monkey scenes.
Seen I really liked, was when Christian asked the guy about incest and he was like we respect the incest taboo we bringing outside people and literally the next scene is Josh learning about the oracles being a product of deliver in breeding. The cult lies and manipulates everybody throughout the whole movie.
In a way although the Harga are toxic I think this is a happy ending for Dani - she will be happier than she has been. Also weirdly I don't feel sorry for anyone but Simon and Connie except maybe Josh a bit. Ironically though preying on Josh maybe the cult's undoing it must have been known he was studying them and so his disappearance will be noticed.
Christian caused the problem with Dani - he told her to ignore her feelings about her sister who then killed herself and their parents. Honestly eff Christian.
I like how you said that Midsommar and The Wicker Man have two completely different feelings, because whenever I tried explaining that to my friends they said I was crazy 😭😭😭
I am happy I didn't see the extended cut of Dani's realization that Christian ain't shit. It's too on the nose. Us being confused if she actually gets it makes the movie more terrifying. I honestly thought she would pick him in this longing feeling of love, to die so he didn't have to suffer, and mourn it. The end took me for a loop, because she wasn't the perpetual victim, but assumed happiness in ridding him. If I saw her assume that power beforehand, the end wouldn't have seemed as eerie. I'm sad the drowning pageantry was left out, though, as well as further details about the early deaths.
Such a lovely watch! Listened to most of it as an audio book on my hour walk to work and just rewatched it with visuals after work! Banging video and super in-depth and interesting breakdown/analysis. You mentioned a lot of things I’ve missed on my watches so I’ll probably end up watching it again tonight to experience it again with this new insight. My first video of yours I’ve seen as it was recommended to me, but I’ll definitely be tuning in more! Great video! Thanks for the hard work that goes into making such an excellent piece of TH-cam.
i’ve been falling asleep to this video for a week (in a good way). it’s such a good analysis and you have what i call “NPR voice”. so soothing, so nice and slow. thanks batcho
I was recommended this, probably because I’m subbed to Novum. Haven’t watched yet but looking forward to it!
how did u know i’ve been obsessed with midsommar lately
Wonderful analysis! I don't think I've seen a video that actually went deep into the dynamics of the group before, during, and after the cult's influence so thoroughly the way you have! You going over each character and their faults and flaws is a super refreshing watch! I will say a thing I always thought about Pelle's dismissal of Josh as his and his family's very clear racism/white supremacy- I fully think he might've never even liked Josh in the first place.
In that case you gotta check out Novum's The Complete Guide , you'll be blown away!!
The Haarga have definite white supremacy parallels/overtones and they were covered in another video. There is a certain flavour of paganism that is very far right and indeed some of the OG Nazis were pagans.
I know intellectually this is a horror movie and that the cult is evil and that she’s completely brainwashed and insane by the end, but I can’t help feeling it’s a happy story with a happy ending. I know that’s not the “correct” takeaway from the film, but I couldn’t help but feel it. I wanted to run away and join their Sunshine death cult too lol
Same! I remember feeling so mentally exhausted and blind sided by the cult and the manipulation of the movie itself that I genuinely thought "good for her" at the end. Then after a few days of the Ari Aster Trauma Effect, realized that Dani just went from one horrible relationship to an even worse fate.
Thank you for not going easy on Christian just bc he was technically r-worded bc he was absolutely down to have sex with a child and he was NOT drugged. he knew exactly what the Harga were doing and he still decided to get high and go through with it. Ofc once someone gets that high, they cannot consent, but he absolutely wanted it when he had all his faculties, that's the whole reason he got high. He was going to r-word someone, then had it happen to him instead. Sucks to suck
Bloody brilliant video Batcho. Could listen to you talk about films all day. I find everything you put out enjoyable and i can’t wait to see what other bangers you create.
honestly you don't know how much that means
Agreed completely - you’re magnetic, Batcho!
This was recommended to me and the first watch was a bit too much?? This review would've given answers to my confusion and question marks so thank you for this review, loved it!!
I love it when i find a channel that loves and appreciates a movie like this just as much i love and appreciate it! Hello there fellow weirdo!
first time seeing your channel…and omg your voice caught me off guard in the best way possible👁👁
For me, I always knew she wasn't really in danger, because in the beginning when the snow falls, and you hear a woman singing in swedish, I immediately recognized Florence's voice. So even during the whatch when I was worried for her, I knew she was gonna join, because she would learn swedish and sing the freeing songs. Having that in back of my head was also somehow even more eerie. Because somehow you get the sense that you want to root for her to get her community.
I agree that Wicker Man and Midsommar have very different themes. As you laid out, Midsommar is about the importance of emotional support and community, and the lengths a person will go to find that. Wicker Man is about faith, and how the paganism of the islanders compares and contrasts with the evangelical Christianity of officer Howie. Both 10/10 films though.
The sound design during the attestupa is AMAZING. so good.
I've been going down a video essay rabbit hole lately but this might be the best one I've ever seen. You put into words so many of the thoughts I had about the movie that I couldn't quite articulate and you did it so accurately and beautifully.
Also, damn you have a nice voice. And an awesome accent lol
20 minutes in and loving your review - new sub 😊
thank you so much
Using the challengers score really is the cherry on top of a great video
'the unfathomable despair' that and the similar bit in hereditary are among my favourite bits of film. we see grief in films all the time but rarely like this
I really enjoyed this and would love to see more from you.
I think it would be really interesting to do a proper comparison of Midsommar and the Wicker Man, like look at how they use the same aesthetics and basic idea of an outsider coming into a cult and being sacrificed to very different effects.
Great review. You probably could be a relationship adviser-you read the subtext between characters really well. Loved your take on the moment the four characters are sitting together, each completely in their own world. The character relationships are what makes the movie more than just folk horror.
What about Pelle though? Is he going to be a better boyfriend to Dani, or just another (more skilled) gaslighter?
Just found your channel! This was a great review & you’re hilarious on top of it. Instant sub.
origin of the man vs. bear debate
I would absolutely love a deep dive of Nope. There is a ton of things you can dive into for UFO/UAP, which is seemingly growing with the David Grusch testimony. But even within the confines of the movie there is that weird (unexplained) guy on his computer and the monkey scenes.
Under the Silver Lake is such an underrated gem, would be great to hear your opinions on it
42:44 WOAHH okay I need to watch the extended version!
Buh. This needs more views!
oh shoot i gotta watch the directors cut! great review 💐
What I gathered from this is that Midsommar is really like Harry Potter.. 😂 Great vid!
Seen I really liked, was when Christian asked the guy about incest and he was like we respect the incest taboo we bringing outside people and literally the next scene is Josh learning about the oracles being a product of deliver in breeding. The cult lies and manipulates everybody throughout the whole movie.
Great Video Batcho. Love mIdsommar
Glad to hear from you Baden! Hope you are doing well & thank you!
Just saw it a few days ago. I was hoping for more.
Im so, so glad I was recommended this video!! I love longform movie analysis, I love Midsommar and I love the presentation!
"They're not that bad if you think about it!"😂 Au contraire... the more you think about it the worse they are actually!!!
You did a great job on this video
In a way although the Harga are toxic I think this is a happy ending for Dani - she will be happier than she has been. Also weirdly I don't feel sorry for anyone but Simon and Connie except maybe Josh a bit. Ironically though preying on Josh maybe the cult's undoing it must have been known he was studying them and so his disappearance will be noticed.
I researched it last week for probably the 5th time - it's such a solid movie
I watched this movie last night and the only thing that I regret seeing was the gore
I’ve spent 6 days gooning to this
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Watches novum once:
Christian caused the problem with Dani - he told her to ignore her feelings about her sister who then killed herself and their parents. Honestly eff Christian.
39:50 😂😂😂
Wasn't expecting a One Piece jumpscare. Maybe give us a warning next time?
Zzzz most over-rated film of the decade.