You Can Now Stream ‘Midsommar’ Starring Florence Pugh on HBO Max

A well-known modern horror film has recently become available on a major streaming platform, reigniting discussions among viewers and fans of the genre.

The film originally gained attention for its unique style, strong performances, and unsettling narrative, continuing to be a topic of conversation since its release.

‘Midsommar’ is now available to stream on HBO Max, bringing one of A24’s most talked-about horror films back into the spotlight. The information regarding the film, its release, and its reception comes from A24 release records, box office reporting, and review aggregators such as Rotten Tomatoes and CinemaScore.

Released in 2019, ‘Midsommar’ is a folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. It stars Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as a couple from the United States who travel to Sweden and become entangled with a violent and disturbing rural cult. The supporting cast features William Jackson Harper, Vilhelm Blomgren, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe, and Will Poulter.

The film is a co-production between the United States and Sweden. Early development notes from A24 and production interviews indicate that the original concept was intended to be a more straightforward horror story centered around Swedish cult figures. However, the final version shifted focus to emotional breakdown, relationship strain, and grief. Ari Aster has mentioned in interviews that elements of the story were inspired by a painful breakup in his own life.

Filming primarily took place in Hungary, around the Budapest area, between July and October 2018. The music was composed by Bobby Krlic, known as The Haxan Cloak. The score combines electronic sound design with Nordic folk influences, contributing to the film’s distinctive atmosphere.

‘Midsommar’ was released in theaters in the United States by A24 on July 3, 2019, and in Sweden by Nordisk Film on July 10, 2019. According to box office data, the film earned approximately 48 million dollars worldwide. It opened to strong interest from horror fans but did not achieve massive mainstream success during its theatrical run.

The movie had a relatively modest production budget, reported at around 8 million dollars. In its opening days, it earned 3 million dollars on its first day, including 1.1 million from preview screenings. Deadline Hollywood referred to this as a “smashing start” at the time. It later opened to 10.9 million dollars in its first weekend in the United States.

Audience reactions were mixed. According to CinemaScore, viewers gave the film a grade of C+. PostTrak reported an average rating of 3 out of 5 stars, with about half of viewers stating they would recommend it. These reactions indicate that the film divided audiences, even as it built a strong reputation among critics and film enthusiasts.

Ankur Pathak of The Huffington Post noted that the film “divided audiences (and some critics).” Screen Rant writer Mark Birrell also described it as “one of the most polarizing horror movies of 2019.” He highlighted the film’s strengths, including its performances, cinematography, music, and atmosphere, while also noting criticisms regarding its length, lack of subtlety, and character development.

Despite the mixed response, Florence Pugh’s performance received significant acclaim and is often regarded as one of the highlights of her career. Many critics pointed to her emotional range and intensity as key factors that make the film stand out.

Over time, ‘Midsommar’ has developed a strong following, particularly among fans of modern horror. Various versions of the film have since been released, including a director’s cut that premiered in 2019 and was shown in select theaters and home media formats.

Now that ‘Midsommar’ is streaming on HBO Max, new audiences have the opportunity to watch or revisit it. The film remains one of the most discussed A24 releases, recognized for its bright visuals, disturbing themes, and unique approach to horror storytelling.

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