Midsommar Screenplay Book

by Ari Aster

Delve into the mesmerizing world of Midsommar with this captivating screenplay book. Featuring an insightful introduction by acclaimed director Park Chan-wook, this volume offers a deep exploration of the film's themes and symbolism. Anthropologist Matthew Engelke's thought-provoking essay sheds light on the cultural significance and rituals depicted in the movie. Additionally, vocal artist Jessika Kenney's illustrated Hårga choral primer provides a unique glimpse into the haunting melodies that permeate the film's atmosphere. Whether you're a cinephile seeking a deeper understanding of this cinematic masterpiece or simply a fan of the film, this book is a must-have addition to your collection. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Midsommar and unravel the layers of meaning woven into its narrative.

Genres: Collections

300 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge Midsommar fan, and the screenplay book certainly didn’t disappoint. The Midsommar Screenplay is an absolutely gorgeous book-from the pink cover to the glossy illustrations contained inside. Besides the screenplay, the book contains an introduction by Park Chan-Wook, illustrated cinematography frames, trembling scale, as well as choral primer. I highly recommend this screenplay to horror and Midsommar fans- you won’t be disappointed!

[Danny Hacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A SMILE finally breaks onto Dani’s face. She has surrendered to a joy known only by the insane. She has lost herself completely, and she is finally free. It is horrible and it is beautiful”

Just when I thought I could not love ‘Midsommar’ any more, this screenplay truly made me appreciate the love the film even more. At the heart of this screenplay is such an even deeper insight on how fragile and complicated Dani and Christian’s relationship is. There are scenes where you might not see a certain POV that the screenplay details and it really adds to the complexity of the movie. I can not WAIT to watch Midsommar again after reading this. If you love the movie, you must read the screenplay

[Mary Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars. Appreciated the addition of Matthew Engelke’s essay.

[Jose Padilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the movie. And reading the screenplay gave me a new feel for the film. And made me anger in parts for things characters did. Love love love.

[Dede Yocum · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She has lost herself completely, and she is finally free. It is horrible and it is beautiful.

CUT TO BLACK”

[Carlos Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent film and a masterclass of a screenplay. Ari Aster does not miss and the fact he WRITES and DIRECTS his films?!?!? Amazing. There were some scenes in this script that must have not made it to the shooting script and I do think that was the right decision. There were others that should have been kept and now I need a director’s cut of the director’s cut. Some scenes were completely changed in the movie though and I preferred the movie version (i.e. the scene where Dani runs into the woods).

[Quinn Kinsella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ari Aster is such an amazing screenwriter! He has such a mastery of conveying visual tone through a screenplay and comparing this to the film is amazing because it is the exact evolution you could wish to have in the script to film process: it nails the tone while also giving depth to the characrers and their motivations. You can tell this is a personal story as well, which makes it even scarier in a way.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I put on my Midsommar soundtrack vinyl to read the Midsommar screenplay book again? Yes.

This screenplay is an exceptional read. I'm a huge fan of this movie and the screenplay only highlights the folk horror elements and relationship drama that worked so well on screen. The last paragraph that described Dani's smile? CHILLS. Ari Aster, you genius....

[Vantriani Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente opción para los que gustaron de la película, un gran apartado fotográfico, edición de pasta dura y un agregado de la música que todo amante del directoe ari aster debe tener.

[Jacob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was the first screenplay I ever bought, and I wanted to see how the creators of Midsommer laid out their visual art onto paper. Especially, the most tiny details.

[Chrissann Nickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this movie so much and getting to read through the script and some behind the scenes details was a lot of fun. Perfect gift, Nancy - thank you!!

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly horrible and beautiful

[Andrew kutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the movie and love this script.

[Joe Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

every time I watch this/read this I realize more and more how fucking poignant dani and christian’s relationship is and how her rebirth is so much more important than the immediate fear and confusion of foreign pagan worship and sacrifice. because a healthy gemeinschaft, or a healthy pastoral-type community, has its own costs of personal identity, individual agency, etc: but it’s also a societal cure for loneliness, isolation, and naive self-hatred (fueled by a misguided necessity for romantic love as an excuse for family).

dani is suffocated by the vacuum of belonging in her life. her family is gone, but she MUST rely on somebody, lean on somebody. she hates herself for this, feels like a burden for needing someone to need, she’s truly believed herself to be a burden because she was treated like one. to the point that she forgot she had a choice. christian treats her love like an obligation. gets defensive when she shows love and kindness, picks him flowers; he signifies his own admission of guilt for mistreating her by saying he feels like he’s expected to return the favor at some point. like a burden.

but dani has no choice. she has become dependent on a man who poisons her heart and turns her against herself because he’s too cowardly to admit this to himself. his self-importance, his primal lust, his apathy. his weakness leaves him a stranger to himself and a danger to others in disguise as a victim himself. he lets her suffer alone until she’s saved by family. a daze of psychedelic flowers and recycled souls both terrifies and liberates her from the inevitable encroachment of death, the falseness in her makeshift excuse for a lover who does not make her feel held, like home, like a burden. she breaks free and saves herself, becomes sovereign, finds belonging, finds a sort of natural freedom that makes the pain of the world makes sense. the Hårga operate like a system that refuses to die, recycles life like the world does with the seasons, and emits true empathy among its members. empathy so strong that they cry together, grieve together, feel everything as one as if each of them were truly one living, breathing organism. to this beautiful and terrifying beast of a society, christian’s falseness is a cancer to be rooted out. burnt away and forgotten. she will never be the same but she is free. she is sovereign. and she will never be alone again.