I thought it was mostly brilliant, visually it is stunning in some scenes, from a costume/setting perspective, the ornate table scenes, and the creeping sense of dread, the tightening of the tension, the use of overheard shots. The acting, I think worked, the kid Christain (I think) was supposed to be funny in some scenes, like the biggest cliched jerk boyfriend/just typical American bro. As for likable characters, the couple from London, dude was funny, and she wasn't really developed, but had a sense of herself, and was extremely attractive.
The one who wanted the women and his vape pen was another cliche, I thought was intentional. I do think Aster is over indulgent to a fault in the last 25 minutes or so, the tension oozes out, and it becomes pure spectacle, which dragged the remaining time out. The last scenes reminded me very much of watching the 'Suspiria" remake last Halloween, a 2 hr plus movie, and the last 30 minutes felt like an hour, just gratuity and asking myself "Why am I watching this"? The creeping sense of mayhem (Ie when Connie and Simon disappear) was far more fun than watching the rituals run off the rails for 30 minutes.
As an aside, if one every finds themselves out of bounds, like that one scene about an hour in, don't react like that lol I wanted to yell at the screen, just act normal, but I suppose it was all over the moment they entered.
Certainly very inspired Wicker Man, and many other in the same vein, but this may rank very near the top of the cult inspired horror movie class. It makes a strong case. It's a genre movie, in a sense, and it does a great job of updating it, and almost transcending it. The way the slow build works is masterful, and the way they grow more and more isolated, and indoctrinated into the village is perfect. His movies are so immersive, I have a hard time getting out of my head, and a great movie will do that, and this one delivered, one of the better theater experiences this year. So glad I didn't bring a date. Jesus. Even if she likes horror movies, this isn't it.
Overall, a very good horror movie, that maybe is almost equal to his debut. Very impressive, I hope he trims his impulses to go so far over the top on his next picture, because everything else was near perfect. It was hard to watch, even in the bright sunshine, eating mushrooms, and running in fields, you can feel the dread, circling like snakes in the grass. I thought it was almost satirizing the genre in points, very subtly, and effectively. You know what was coming the whole time, the brilliance is in the execution.
I do have some slight questions, I may need to ask.
