Ari Aster’s Midsommar (2019) is a psychological horror film that has left viewers both disturbed and intrigued with its intense visuals, layered symbolism, and unforgettable ending. The film, which revolves around Dani (Florence Pugh) and a group of friends who travel to Sweden for a midsummer festival, begins as a trip to witness an idyllic and picturesque ceremony. However, the journey quickly turns nightmarish, as they are thrust into an unsettling world of pagan rituals and sinister practices.
Aster’s decision to set the film in broad daylight, amidst lush, green landscapes and sun-drenched meadows, creates a stark contrast to the eerie, terrifying events that unfold, emphasizing that horror can take place in the most beautiful settings. But what is the meaning behind the ending of Midsommar, and what does it signify for Dani’s character and the themes of the movie? Let’s dive into the film’s conclusion and unpack the deeper meanings behind it.
The Journey of Dani: A Deep Dive into Grief and Trauma
The character of Dani, portrayed by Florence Pugh, is at the heart of Midsommar, and her emotional journey throughout the film sets the stage for the shocking ending. At the beginning of the movie, Dani is grieving the tragic loss of her family. Her sister’s suicide, followed by the death of her parents, has left her emotionally devastated and struggling to find her place in the world. She feels alienated from her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) and his friends, who lack the empathy and emotional support she desperately needs.
As the story unfolds, Dani finds herself in a foreign place—Sweden—along with her boyfriend and his friends. What was supposed to be a cultural exploration turns into a nightmare, as the group encounters an isolated pagan community that practices bizarre rituals. Throughout the film, we see Dani struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, and a desire to belong. Her emotional vulnerability and grief make her a prime candidate for the Hårga village’s pagan rites, but at what cost?
Symbolism of the Rituals: Death, Rebirth, and Sacrifice
The Hårga village and its people play a central role in Dani’s emotional transformation. The villagers follow a belief system centered around life, death, and rebirth, with their rituals aiming to maintain harmony and balance within their community. These rituals—many of which involve death and sacrifice—mirror Dani’s own journey through grief and trauma.
The themes of sacrifice and rebirth are strongly present throughout Midsommar, particularly in the conclusion of the film. Dani’s experience in the village is marked by disturbing rituals that bring both life and death together in an unsettling, cyclical manner. The most significant example of this is the village’s May Queen ceremony, where Dani becomes the center of attention after undergoing a series of trials. She is crowned the May Queen, an honor that comes with a heavy cost—a human sacrifice.
This ritual is symbolic not just for the Hårga villagers but also for Dani herself. She is reborn, not in the conventional sense, but in a twisted form. By the end of Midsommar, Dani has undergone a complete transformation. She has shed the remnants of her grief, but at the same time, she has embraced a new, albeit unsettling, identity.
The Shocking Ending of Midsommar
The conclusion of Midsommar leaves many viewers with questions about what truly happened. As the May Queen, Dani is tasked with choosing the final sacrifice. Her choice, while seemingly dictated by the village’s customs, is deeply tied to her emotional state. At the climax of the film, Dani is seen watching as her boyfriend Christian, along with the rest of the outsiders, is chosen as part of the sacrificial ritual.
For Dani, this is a moment of catharsis. Christian, who has been emotionally distant and unsupportive of her throughout the film, is finally held accountable for his actions. His betrayal, both in terms of his relationship with Dani and his lack of empathy, culminates in his death. Dani’s choice to embrace the village’s rituals can be seen as a reclaiming of power and control over her life, something she had been deprived of throughout the film. In the final scene, Dani’s expression as she watches the burning of the commune and Christian is a mixture of horror, triumph, and, strangely, relief. She is no longer the same woman who arrived in Sweden at the start of Midsommar.
The Role of The Collective and the Individual in Midsommar
One of the most significant themes in Midsommar is the tension between individual desires and the collective needs of a community. Throughout the film, Dani is presented as an isolated individual, struggling to navigate a world that does not understand her grief. However, in the village, she becomes part of a larger collective, one that functions on communal rituals and shared beliefs. While the group dynamics in Hårga are disturbing and cult-like, Dani’s need for belonging pushes her towards acceptance of their customs.
In a way, Dani’s decision to embrace the village’s ways represents a complete break from her past life and relationships. By becoming the May Queen and partaking in the village’s sacrifices, she is simultaneously letting go of the trauma from her family’s death while also forging a new, albeit unsettling, identity. Her choice can be interpreted as an attempt to reclaim power, not just for survival but for her emotional healing.
Midsommar as a Reflection on Grief and Healing
The film ends with Dani finally smiling, an image that is both haunting and powerful. Her smile, seen in contrast to the agony and terror of the sacrificial rites, reveals that Dani’s journey has been one of transformation. She has moved from a position of vulnerability to one of power, having embraced a new life, albeit one built on the ashes of the old.
Ultimately, the ending of Midsommar reflects a powerful commentary on grief, trauma, and the human desire for healing. While the journey is horrific and the rituals disturbing, Dani’s embrace of the village’s customs represents a form of catharsis. Through her pain, she has forged a new identity—one that is unsettling yet strangely empowering. In this sense, Midsommar offers a chilling exploration of the lengths one can go to in order to overcome pain and find a sense of belonging.
Conclusion
The ending of Midsommar remains one of the most powerful and unsettling conclusions in modern horror cinema. Dani’s transformation is both tragic and empowering, as she moves from a place of grief and isolation to one of bizarre yet strange triumph. Through Aster’s carefully crafted narrative, Midsommar explores themes of trauma, grief, healing, and the consequences of our deepest emotional desires. The film’s powerful imagery and themes make it a standout in the psychological horror genre, leaving viewers with much to reflect on long after the credits roll.
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