Midsommar was written and directed by filmmaker Ari Aster as a folk-horror tale. This is Aster's second feature-length film and arguably the better of the two. The imagery and subject matter are right out of a nightmare and it delves into topics of grief and loneliness from losing one's own family. But despite some of the more barbaric aspects of the film, is it actually a break up flick instead?
Dani is in a relationship with Christian—a man who is emotionally unavailable to Dani and who has been contemplating breaking up with her for a while. Dani's sister has a history of talking about suicide and Dani often turns to her boyfriend for emotional support, which is a normal thing to do. But her boyfriend is tired of dealing with the issue since he thinks nothing will happen. But this time something seems different. Dani's sister actually does commit suicide, taking the life of Dani's parents as well. This makes it difficult for Christian to end the relationship with her. And so Dani comes along on a trip to Sweden with Christian and his friends to a Swedish midsummer festival that only occurs once every 90 years.
Ari Aster said himself that his goal was to create a good break up film that people could watch when they are going through a rough time to feel a little bit better. Aster had in mind his own bad breakup when he wrote the script for the movie. Of course, the director intended for the movie to scare people with images and ideas. But his main goal was to make a movie that showcased how big the end of a relationship feels to one or both of the people involved in it. Aster said in an interview that he has his own go-to movies that he watches if he is going through a breakup. That's why he wanted to make a breakup film—so other people would have a film to go to for their own breakups.
One aspect of Midsommar that makes it a breakup film is the theme of not feeling loved or feeling like a burden to your partner for leaning on them in times of need. Everyone goes through rough times. The best thing about having a life partner means always having someone to lean on or talk to (that knows everything about you), to not have to go through things alone. But Christian does not give Dani any support emotionally. This is a movie from Dani's perspective, so the audience is supposed to project themselves onto her. The way Christian disregards Dani's needs allows the audience to learn very quickly that this is not a healthy relationship and that it needs to end.
Another way to tell that Midsommar is a breakup film is the way Christian does not stand up for Dani in any way when his friends talk badly about her. In a normal relationship, a partner should not surround themselves with people who constantly speak ill of their significant other. It can drive a wedge between people and cause the partner to feel like they have to split their time between their friends and significant other, or choose one or the other. Christian also puts his friends before Dani. This is especially cruel considering the recent circumstances in Dani's life. But Christian is heard saying how he wants to go party or go off somewhere when Dani needs him. He was even planning a trip out of the country during her time of need. Which makes it very obvious, again, that this is not a good relationship and the audience is heading towards a messy breakup.
Probably the thing that most couples fight about or break up over is when one partner seeks outside love or intimacy with or without their partner's knowledge. In Midsommar, Christian is seen having one of the strangest sex scenes ever captured on film. This fits the film's aesthetic of creepy murder cult, but it is no doubt the last straw for Dani and the audience. When she sees that her boyfriend has been unfaithful to her, Dani is finally able to begin the healing process of "out with the old, in with the new." It's obvious that the strange breathing the people in the cult do is a metaphor for the old saying.
Midsommar is a good horror film, but it's an even better breakup film. There are a ton of other little references to bad relationships, the ending or 'death' of a romance, and the revenge someone would like to get on their hurtful ex. When Pelle asks Dani if she "feels held" by Christian, or if "he feels like home," that perfectly encapsulates the message of the film. If it doesn't feel right, it's not. So out with the old and in with the new. Dani is wearing a robe and crown of flowers by the end of the film; she is in her rebirth/growth stage. She has found that there are other people in the world that will care about her more than her bad boyfriend. And by the final frame, she is able to smile with real joy knowing that a source of negativity in her life is now gone.