Are you still thinking about the unsettling beauty of *Midsommar*? That feeling of unease, the bright sun hiding dark secrets, the slow creep of dread? If you found yourself captivated by Ari Aster's unique vision and are now searching for that same kind of cinematic experience, you're definitely not alone. Many folks, you know, are looking for films that capture that specific blend of folk horror and psychological tension.

The film, *Midsommar*, which came out in 2019, is a folk horror story written and directed by Ari Aster. It shows Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as an American couple who get pulled into a scary cult in rural Sweden, and it's quite a watch. With Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren, and William Jackson Harper, the movie follows a couple as they travel to northern Europe to check out a rural area, and it truly stunned audiences with its haunting feel.

So, if you've seen *Midsommar* and are craving more stories about isolated communities, unsettling traditions, or just that specific brand of psychological horror, you've come to the right place. We're going to explore a bunch of movies that share a similar spirit, giving you plenty of options for your next unsettling watch, you know, right now.

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Table of Contents

• What Makes Midsommar So Unforgettable?
• The Roots of Folk Horror: Classic Inspirations
  • The Wicker Man (1973)
• Modern Folk Horror and Cult Cinema
  • Apostle (2018)
  • The Ritual (2017)
  • Hereditary (2018)
  • The Invitation (2015)
  • Kill List (2011)
  • Get Out (2017)
• Exploring Other Disquieting Journeys
  • Suspiria (1977 & 2018)
  • Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
• Frequently Asked Questions About Midsommar and Related Films
• Your Next Cinematic Obsession Awaits

What Makes Midsommar So Unforgettable?

To truly find *midsommar similar movies*, it helps to think about what made Ari Aster's film stick with us. As the text mentions, it's a folk horror piece that really got to people in 2019. It follows a group of college students who travel to a pagan festival in Sweden, and things just go terribly wrong.

The movie, you know, is about Dani and Christian, a young couple, who travel with friends to experience a rare midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village. But what starts as a carefree holiday quickly turns sinister, as the group finds themselves in a remote Swedish commune, and it gets really disturbing. The film's bright, sun-drenched setting, which is pretty unusual for a horror movie, actually makes the disturbing events feel even more jarring, which is something to think about.

The film also deals with themes of grief, trauma, and relationships falling apart, all wrapped up in the bizarre and violent rituals of a cult. It's not just about jump scares; it's about a deep, creeping dread that gets under your skin. So, when we look for *midsommar similar movies*, we're often looking for that same kind of unsettling atmosphere, psychological depth, and perhaps, you know, a strange community with hidden agendas.

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The Roots of Folk Horror: Classic Inspirations

Before we look at more modern picks, it's pretty important to acknowledge where the folk horror style, like the one in *Midsommar*, really comes from. This particular type of horror often draws on old traditions, isolated places, and the idea that ancient beliefs can still hold a very scary power. It's a bit like stepping back in time, and then finding something very wrong there, in a way.

The Wicker Man (1973)

If you're looking for *midsommar similar movies*, you absolutely have to start with *The Wicker Man* from 1973. This is, in many respects, the grandfather of modern folk horror, and you can see its influence all over *Midsommar*. It tells the story of a devout Christian police sergeant who goes to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

On the island, he finds a community that practices ancient pagan rituals, and they're not exactly welcoming. The film, you know, slowly builds its unsettling atmosphere, much like *Midsommar*, as the outsider tries to make sense of the strange customs around him. The ending is famously disturbing, and honestly, it shares a lot of thematic ground with *Midsommar*'s shocking conclusion, particularly in how it deals with sacrifice and communal belief.

Modern Folk Horror and Cult Cinema

Beyond the classics, there's been a real resurgence of folk horror and cult-centric films that share a lot with *Midsommar*'s unique flavor. These are the movies that, you know, really dig into the unsettling aspects of community and tradition. They often explore how people can be drawn into something dark, sometimes without even realizing it until it's too late.

Apostle (2018)

*Apostle*, directed by Gareth Evans, is another strong contender for *midsommar similar movies*. This film is set in 1905 and follows a man who travels to a remote island to rescue his sister from a mysterious religious cult. The island community, you know, is struggling, and their beliefs are both desperate and dangerous.

Much like *Midsommar*, *Apostle* features a very isolated community with its own set of brutal rules and rituals. It's visually quite different, being much darker and grittier, but the core idea of an outsider getting trapped in a cult's terrifying world is very much present. There's also a strong element of body horror and graphic violence, which some fans of *Midsommar* might appreciate, in a way.

The Ritual (2017)

If you enjoyed the feeling of being lost in a strange, ancient forest with something unsettling lurking, then *The Ritual* could be a good pick for *midsommar similar movies*. This British horror film follows a group of friends who go on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness to honor a deceased friend. They take a shortcut through an old forest, and that's when things start to go very wrong.

The film doesn't feature a cult in the same way *Midsommar* does, but it definitely has that folk horror vibe with ancient entities and unsettling symbols in the woods. The sense of isolation and the feeling of being hunted by something primordial are very strong here, which is pretty compelling. It's a really atmospheric watch that captures a similar sense of dread, honestly.

Hereditary (2018)

It's almost impossible to talk about *Midsommar similar movies* without mentioning *Hereditary*. This is, of course, Ari Aster's previous film, and you can really see his signature style in both. *Hereditary* focuses on a family dealing with grief after a death, only to discover disturbing secrets about their ancestry and a sinister presence. The film, you know, is a slow burn that builds incredible tension.

While *Hereditary* doesn't have the bright, open settings of *Midsommar*, it shares the same deep psychological horror and a strong undercurrent of a cult-like influence that subtly affects the family. The themes of inherited trauma and a lack of control over one's fate are very prominent in both films, making them feel connected, basically. It's a truly unsettling experience, just like *Midsommar*.

The Invitation (2015)

For a more intimate, yet equally chilling, take on cult dynamics, *The Invitation* is a fantastic choice among *midsommar similar movies*. This film takes place almost entirely within a single house during a dinner party. A man attends a gathering hosted by his ex-wife and her new husband, and he begins to suspect that their new spiritual group has a very sinister agenda.

The tension in *The Invitation* builds very slowly, with a constant sense that something is off, much like the subtle unease that grows in *Midsommar*. It plays on social anxieties and the fear of being trapped in a situation where you can't trust anyone. The reveal is quite shocking, and it leaves you with a similar feeling of dread about how easily people can be manipulated, you know, into something awful.

Kill List (2011)

Ben Wheatley's *Kill List* is a rather bleak and brutal film that, in some respects, blends crime thriller with folk horror, making it a surprising entry for *midsommar similar movies*. It follows two ex-soldiers turned hitmen who take on a new contract that leads them down a very dark and increasingly bizarre path. The final act of the film veers sharply into unsettling pagan rituals and cult activity.

While the initial setup is different, the way *Kill List* descends into a world of ancient, horrifying practices and the feeling of being completely out of one's depth is very reminiscent of *Midsommar*. It's a very violent and disturbing film, and it definitely leaves a lasting impression, much like your, you know, favorite folk horror. The sense of an inescapable fate is strong here.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele's *Get Out* might not seem like an obvious choice for *midsommar similar movies* at first glance, but it shares some very important thematic elements. The film follows a young Black man who visits his white girlfriend's family for the first time, and he discovers their unsettling secret. It's a brilliant social commentary wrapped in a horror story.

What makes it similar is the idea of an outsider entering a seemingly welcoming community that harbors a truly sinister, exploitative agenda. The slow reveal of the cult-like nature of the family and their disturbing practices creates a similar sense of psychological dread and entrapment that you find in *Midsommar*. It's a powerful film that really makes you think, basically, about hidden horrors.

Exploring Other Disquieting Journeys

Beyond direct folk horror or cult stories, there are other films that capture the feeling of being disoriented, vulnerable, and drawn into something deeply disturbing, making them good choices for *midsommar similar movies*. These movies might not fit neatly into a single category, but they certainly leave you with a similar kind of lingering unease.

Suspiria (1977 & 2018)

Both the original 1977 *Suspiria* by Dario Argento and Luca Guadagnino's 2018 remake offer a very unique, unsettling experience that could appeal to fans of *Midsommar*. Both films are set in prestigious dance academies in Europe that, you know, hide dark, supernatural secrets involving witchcraft and ancient power. The atmosphere in both is incredibly strong.

The 2018 version, in particular, shares *Midsommar*'s long runtime, slow-burn pacing, and focus on female experience within a powerful, secretive, and ultimately violent matriarchal group. The sense of ritual, the unsettling power dynamics, and the visually striking yet disturbing sequences make both versions, especially the remake, feel like a spiritual cousin to *Midsommar*, honestly.

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

*Martha Marcy May Marlene* is a powerful psychological drama that, in some respects, delves deep into the trauma of leaving a cult. It follows a young woman who escapes from an abusive cult and tries to reconnect with her estranged family, but she struggles to distinguish between reality and the paranoia instilled by her past. It's a very unsettling film.

While it's not a horror film in the traditional sense, it explores the psychological damage and lingering influence of a cult in a way that *Midsommar* fans might find very compelling. The film's slow pace and focus on the main character's fragile mental state create a constant feeling of unease and dread, which is pretty similar to the psychological tension in *Midsommar*. It's a really moving and disturbing watch, you know, in a quiet way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Midsommar and Related Films

People often have questions after seeing a film like *Midsommar* or when they're looking for similar experiences. Here are some common inquiries, you know, that might pop up.

What kind of horror is Midsommar?

Basically, *Midsommar* is a folk horror film, first and foremost. It also has very strong elements of psychological horror, often called "elevated horror" by some, because it focuses more on emotional distress and mental unraveling than typical jump scares. It's a very unsettling experience, to be honest.

Is Midsommar a true story?

No, *Midsommar* is not a true story. Ari Aster wrote and directed it as a fictional piece. However, it does draw inspiration from real-world folklore, pagan traditions, and ancient midsummer festivals, which gives it a very authentic and creepy feel, you know, in a way. The rituals are, for the most part, invented for the film.

Are there other movies by Ari Aster like Midsommar?

Yes, absolutely! Ari Aster has directed two other feature films that share his unique style and thematic interests. His first film, *Hereditary* (2018), is a dark, psychological horror about grief and family secrets, and it's very intense. His most recent film, *Beau is Afraid* (2023), is a surreal, often comedic, but deeply unsettling odyssey through one man's anxieties, and it's quite different but still very much his work.

Your Next Cinematic Obsession Awaits

So, there you have it, a collection of *midsommar similar movies* that should keep you wonderfully uneasy for a good while. From the classic roots of folk horror to modern takes on cults and psychological dread, these films offer a lot of the same unsettling atmosphere and deep thematic exploration that made *Midsommar* such a standout. You can find reviews, ratings, and trailers for *Midsommar* on Rotten Tomatoes, by the way, if you want to revisit it.

Whether you're looking for more bright, sun-drenched terror or the claustrophobia of a hidden community, there's something here for every fan of Ari Aster's haunting vision. We really hope this list helps you discover your next favorite unsettling film. Learn more about unsettling cinema on our site, and you can also find more recommendations on this page.