Ari Aster has announced that a director's cut with 30 more minutes is on the way for Midsommar, his sophomore feature, following last year's widely successful psychological horror-thriller, Hereditary. The film has been regarded as one of the year's scariest films.
Written and directed by Aster himself, Midsommar stars Jack Reynor and Florence Pugh as a couple who take a trip to Sweden to visit their friend's hometown. At first, it seems that they are there to enjoy the annual mid-summer festival, but they eventually end up caught in the practices of a pagan cult. Pugh stars as Dani, a young woman who is struggling to find acceptance in the world as she joins her boyfriend Christian (Reynor) in Sweden with the rest of his friends. Aster has stated that at its core, Midsommar is a breakup film, but it's easy to forget that once the viewer becomes ensnared by the insanity taking place in the Swedish village. And those that desired more from the film to make sense out of its bonkers ending may have something to look forward to, as Aster has announced an extended cut is on the horizon.
During a recent Reddit AMA, Aster revealed that he was in the process of putting together a director's cut, which would include thirty extra minutes of footage. The film's first cut was three hours and forty-five minutes, which he trimmed down to its current theatrical release. He didn't discuss what exactly would be added to the extended version, but it's possible it can include sequences that bring clarity to some of the questions that left many moviegoers confused. After being asked about the potential of seeing a director's cut, Aster responded stating:
"Working on extended cut now. Won't be 1 hr 20 mins longer, but will be at least 30 mins longer."
An extra thirty minutes watching Pugh take audiences on a very emotional trip into madness is just what horror fans need. Indeed, Midsommar is probably going to be remembered as this year's most deranged film, but it is also beautifully structured and awe-inspiring to watch unfold. What Aster includes in the director's cut is up to him and it probably won't take away from how the film has been received, but it could strengthen the rift that exists between moviegoers and critics.
Once the director's cut arrives, it will be interesting to see the conversation it sparks, if any. It is not yet known when fans can expect the director's cut to arrive, but it could release alongside the theatrical cut, as a physical and digital selection. Those who thought Midsommar was disturbing enough as it is may be fine with the original, but for those that want to see what could have potentially been included, Aster seems more than happy to deliver.
Source: Ari Aster/Reddit