Midsommar

Midsommar doesn’t rely on darkness and shadow to send shivers down our spines. Quite the opposite, in fact. But that’s because this isn’t your typical horror film; rather, it’s an all too relatable tale about gaslighting and unhealthy relationships.

Right from the beginning, it’s made clear that Christian (Jack Reynor) is thinking about dumping his girlfriend. He’s simply going through the motions of being a good boyfriend until he’s paid his dues, and he’s simultaneously been pushing Dani (Florence Pugh) away in the hope that she will do the hard bit for him: he wants her to initiate the breakup.

We know, likewise, that Dani isn’t innocent: her co-dependency has rendered her blind to Christian’s behaviour, and she views her relationship as beautiful even though it’s inherently toxic. She does her best to make things work. She does this even though she’s second-guessing herself all the time, feels confused and finds herself always apologising to (and for) her boyfriend. And she does this even though that aching, aching, aching hole in her heart keeps her awake at night.

It’s the sort of film that’s bound to touch a nerve with any woman who’s found herself in a similar situation.

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