Demons are malevolent supernatural beings prevalent in religion, occultism, folklore, and mythology. They scare, trick, possess, and kill humans. They are a major archetype of horror movies. In this book, film critic Steve Hutchison reviews and ranks 50 of the best horror movies featuring demons ever released. How many have you seen?
Midsommar
A grieving woman, her boyfriend, and his friends visit a village owned by a cult.
United States
Hungary
Sweden
Wizard Film
Cultist Film
A badass trip!
Photography
Dialogue
Ambiance
Midsommar mesmerizes us with its mind fucking cinematography. From the moment the main cast travels to Sweden, drink shroom tea, and lay down on the grass, the summer scenery becomes a character. We see what they see. They’re tripping every other scene. The way Ari Aster, writer and director, plays with his environment, sometimes basic, sometimes intricate, is remarkable.
So, this is the story of a strange pagan cult, but who could fall for all their posturing? It’s like they’re putting on a show for someone; for the camera, or for some god, possibly. The protagonists, at some point, start suspecting things are not as they seem. Florence Pugh plays the main character, who mostly speaks with her eyes. At some point, though, her point of view is no longer reliable.
The paintings and the architecture are gorgeous. White is a prominent color. The cultists dress in white. There are flowers everywhere. This is a beautiful film. We’re supposed to feel like we’re in heaven. Make no mistake, this is a horror movie. You’re going to see red sooner than later. Horror movies shot in broad daylight are a rarity. This one is particularly effective. It’s a trademark.
