When it comes to the question of which is scarier, Midsommar or Hereditary, I have to say that Hereditary takes the cake for me. Don’t get me wrong, Midsommar is a disturbing and unsettling film in its own right, but in terms of sheer terror and the ability to haunt your thoughts long after the credits roll, Hereditary reigns supreme.
One of the things that makes Hereditary so terrifying is its slow burn approach to horror. The film takes its time, building tension and unease with every passing scene. It creates an atmosphere of dread that is almost suffocating, leaving you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next horrifying revelation.
And boy, does Hereditary deliver on the horror front. Without spoiling too much, the film explores themes of grief, loss, and the breakdown of the family unit in the most disturbing ways imaginable. The scares in this film are not cheap jump scares or gratuitous gore, but rather deeply psychological and emotionally unsettling moments that will leave you feeling unsettled long after the film is over.
One particular scene that comes to mind is the infamous car scene. I won’t go into too much detail, but let’s just say that it is one of the most shocking and horrifying moments I have ever witnessed on screen. The way it is shot, the build-up of tension, and the sheer brutality of it all combine to create a truly traumatizing experience.
But it’s not just the individual moments of terror that make Hereditary so scary, it’s the overall sense of dread and impending doom that permeates the entire film. From the haunting visuals to the eerie score, every aspect of the movie is designed to unsettle and disturb. Even the seemingly mundane moments are filled with an underlying sense of unease, making you question what is real and what is imagined.
In contrast, Midsommar, while a visually stunning and deeply unsettling film, doesn’t quite reach the same level of terror for me. It is more of a slow descent into madness rather than an all-out assault on your senses like Hereditary. That being said, Midsommar still has its fair share of disturbing moments that will leave you feeling uneasy.
One of the strengths of Midsommar is its use of daylight horror. While most horror films rely on darkness and shadows to create fear, Midsommar takes place almost entirely in broad daylight, making the horror feel all the more unsettling. The bright, picturesque setting of a Swedish commune juxtaposed with the dark and twisted events that unfold creates a sense of cognitive dissonance that is deeply unsettling.
Another aspect of Midsommar that adds to its unsettling nature is its exploration of cult mentality and the loss of control. The film dives deep into the psyche of its characters, examining how easily one can be manipulated and drawn into a world of darkness. It is a slow and methodical exploration of the horrors of human nature, leaving you feeling disturbed and questioning your own beliefs.
While both Midsommar and Hereditary are undeniably terrifying in their own ways, it is Hereditary that truly stands out as the scarier film for me. Its slow burn approach, psychological horror, and deeply unsettling moments make it a film that haunts your thoughts long after the credits roll. That being said, Midsommar is still a highly disturbing and unsettling film that will leave you feeling uneasy. Both films are masterpieces in their own right and should be experienced by any horror enthusiast.