The Witch and Midsommar have a lot in common - they both came from A24, they are directed by young, promising directors and they are both led by an incredibly talented young actress - the world was introduced to Anya Taylor - Joy in The Witch and Florence Pugh's breakthrough role came in Midsommar.They both focus on women and they are both such an empathetic portrayal of them, in spite of being written by men. Thomasin and Dani are never judged and they are shown in such sympathetic, understanding light. In fact, the heroines' only flaws are that they are too understanding and trusting.
Thomasin is being shamed and is considered untrustworthy because of the fact she is maturing and because of this her mother resents her - for what she may awake in men around her. Dani is seen as overly sensitive, irrational and "not fun" by men around her. Thomasin cannot stop growing up and Dani cannot prevent the horrible tragedy that happens to her family. In the eyes of the others it makes them damaged goods - Thomasin, because her female graces make her "dangerous" and Dani, because her past makes her "too much to handle".
"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" - Ari Aster
The Devil wants Thomasin and The cult wants Dani - they want their youth, their beauty and they prey on their desperation, loneliness and the fact their lives are awful. In the end, both Thomasin and Dani snap - but in their madness they finally experience freedom, for the first time in their lives. Yes, they are both trapped - Thomasin sells her soul to the Devil and Dani will never escape the cult - but perhaps the madness they found along with it, is the only way they can experience joy. No one is judged more than women in this world and that madness frees them from that judgment, as well as from constraints of society and from hardships of trying to please everyone around them.
Perhaps it's the only path to true freedom.
(click to enlarge)
I love this! You've got an eye for finding these visual parallels. damn. Also, I've not seen the VVitch but I think I'm going to have to watch it this month!
ReplyDeleteGreat movie to watch in Halloween month! :)
DeleteIt's amazing how similar they can look when there's such a huge difference in their color palettes. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I had to brighten some of those a lot :)
DeleteOnly you can do this as well as you do. Also reminds me that I have absolutely zero desire to ever watch Midsommar again :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! Aww I actually had fun doing rewatch 😂
DeleteI haven't seen Midsommar yet but I loved the Witch so I'm hopeful I like it as much. Great finds on the parallels!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Midsommar is one of the best movies of the year so far, it's really great
DeleteI always love it when you do these parallel visuals! It makes me want to watch these movies again and see the parallels between these movies! I haven't seen either Midsommar or Witch yet, but I'm definitely planning on doing so soon!
ReplyDeleteYou should, they are both excellent!
DeleteThis is such a cool post! Need to send this to a friend of mine who is an artist and loves aesthetic stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Witch and I want to go and see Midsommar this week!
Thank you so much! I hope you like Midsommar!
DeleteCan I just say that I love your new header and background? Harley Quinn is so awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It took the entire morning yesterday :)
DeleteDirector's Cut is worth checking out if you liked the theatrical version
ReplyDeleteYour talent for spotting these parallels is incredible! I adore these posts <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteAstounding. I love this series so damn much, and you've done more great work here. I'm SO curious about your process for these. Do you see one movie and then try to find a Visual Parallels match for it? Does it just click in your brain one day that two movies will make a good match? Don't answer if it's annoying, I just love these!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh it's not annoying at all! I never force myself to think of something or write something. Unless it just comes to me, if it doesnt I just dont write anything. Otherwise it wouldnt feel like a fun hobby but like a job :) so sometimes I watch something or think about a movie and suddenly think Hey it looks a lot like that other film. Here I had the Witch connection pop in my head during Midsommar ending and started thinking about the two and figured there is enough similarities for the whole post
DeleteInteresting interpretations of the female characters and fine visual observations too. The final smile in Midsommar is unforgettable, the similar scene in The Witch I must have overlooked. I know Aster was inspired by folk horror films. That and a bad breakup (!)
ReplyDeleteAlso, excellent job on the new blog header!
Thanks, it took a lot of time :P
DeleteYeah Aster's bad breakup inspiration....I would not wanna be the chick that breakup was with, watching this must have been....an experience for her
I watched The Witch the other day. The crying followed by the smile is the only similarity I noticed. You're so good at this!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So glad you watched The Witch!
Delete