Having switched seamlessly between historical epic (Outlaw King), espionage thriller (The Little Drummer Girl) and feel-good sports drama (Fighting with My Family) within the space of a few months, it would appear there’s no end to Florence Pugh’s versatility.
Excitingly, the British actor is set to expand her repertoire still further this year with a starring role in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of ‘Little Women’. Before that though, she’s topping the bill in Midsommar, the new nightmare from Hereditary writer/director Ari Aster.
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Set in rural Scandinavia during the eponymous annual summer festivities, the film sees Pugh’s Dani travel to a remote Swedish village with her boyfriend seeking escape, only to discover that its residents have some rather unusual and sinister seasonal traditions. Will Poulter, William Jackson Harper and Jack Reynor co-star.
Midsommar has been described by Aster as a dark road-trip/break-up movie which descends into full-bore horror. With its bucolic setting, mysterious plot and folk horror stylings, we’re getting strong The Wicker Man/Kill List vibes, while the director himself has cited Black Narcissus, Hard to Be a God and 1971’s Macbeth as key reference points. It’s tantalisingly freaky stuff, and the white crop lines lend this first look teaser a sun-bleached, dreamlike quality.
Given what Aster managed to achieve with his debut feature on a pretty slim budget, we’ve got high hopes for this one – and if our workings are correct, the festivities could begin early. Check out the full trailer below and share your thoughts with us @LWLies
Midsommar is released in the US on 9 August and the UK on 16 August.
