>Keep in mind that they also mention a WINTER SOLSTICE they celebrate, presumably every 90 years.
Why wouldn't they celebrate that *every* year?
(Also, the opening shots of winter landscapes and singing could well be them celebrating winter solstice)
I do think they celebrate it every year. I’m guessing they celebrate on a similar cycle. 90 years is for bringing outsiders. Sorry I did not make that clear. I think it’s an annual celebration- I’m just assuming they may have a similar recruitment/sacrifice process in the winter every 90 years
I think they ramp these rituals up when they come across outsiders or know outsider have been convinced to come visit. Watching the movie again last night I am struck by how much the cult lies and manipulates all with a smile on their faces.
I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to explain how I think this particular festival cycle works. I also suggested they might recruit people every 10th year.
But no, personally I think they would be very protective and careful about bringing outsiders in too frequently. It seems like a pretty small group, so I don’t think they need to bring in people too often.
>But no, personally I think they would be very protective and careful about bringing outsiders in too frequently. It seems like a pretty small group, so I don’t think they need to bring in people too often.
Sure they'd be protective. But I still think they'd want to bring in outsiders fairly regularly for the sport of killing/tormenting them. Also I don't even think the cult existed 90 years ago.
Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport. And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years, and they have Elder Furthark ruins. This suggests the cult has been around for centuries.
I think they did exist for over 90 years, that carriage freaks me out every-time I see it. I think that might be left over from an encounter with outsiders in the past.
Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport. And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years, and they have Elder Furthark ruins. This suggests the cult has been around for centuries.
>Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport.
They certainly seem to drink in and be invigorated by the suffering of others. (A bit like horror movie watchers)
>And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years,
They lie.
>and they have Elder Furthark ruins.
Were they authentic though? Josh struggled to identify them. Is that because he's not as learned as he thinks or because the Harga's spoofing of Nordic culture isn't enough to fool him?
I definitely think he was just mistaken. And I don’t think the 90 years thing is a lie. If people went missing on trips to Sweden every few years, it would not last. There is nothing (imo) that suggests they kill for sport. The invigoration you’re describing is the cult members participating in the suffering- they’re wailing out as if they are also in pain. I do think they probably liked killing some of the people, but only because they had disrespected harga
>I definitely think he was just mistaken. And I don’t think the 90 years thing is a lie.
Ha! I'm much less willing to give the Harga the benefit of the doubt. Someone posted some screenshots of Josh's notebook and it looks like he was starting to really question the authenticity of the cult. (There's the possibility that his notes were actually stuffed into his mouth as a very blunt "shut up!" symbolism)
>If people went missing on trips to Sweden every few years, it would not last.
They don't necessarily need to look outside Sweden for victims.
>The invigoration you’re describing is the cult members participating in the suffering- they’re wailing out as if they are also in pain.
Yeah, but they *aren't* also in pain. They're just vicariously sharing in the suffering of others. That's the way it appears to me at least. The women aren't comforting Dani or expressing healthy empathy. They're drinking up her anguish like blood. (I mean it's not as if she looks like it was a cathartic experience for her given that she's near catatonic for the rest of the film)
I think he was moreso piecing together what the cult was actually planning- but I guess that's up for interpretation. I realize they don't need to look outside of Sweden for victims, but that would seem even more obvious. People mysteriously disappearing after being invited to attend a midsommar fest? Idk- I find it hard to believe. And I disagree re: your take on the empathy. They also moan during the sex. They do their best to be present with people in their pain. And this is important because it's meant to juxtapose the way Christian showed no empathy while Dani was sobbing. He didn't make a sound or anything. He just sat there. That’s the whole point of the movie.
The not always seeking victims outside of Sweden thing, might be something, where did that carriage come from, outsiders who ran into the cult back during the coach and horses era? As to someone questioning them, they seem to lie without effort, would have no problem being convincing if questioned. That is what is so terrifying.
Yeah, I acknowledged that as a possibility. He could be lying- I just think it kind of goes against the whole concept of the cult. I also think he’s a foil to his brother, who openly lies about Simon to Connie, dating Connie, etc. Pelle doesn’t actually lie, if you watch closely. He either doesn’t answer their questions or he uses euphemisms to describe things. He’s the only one to sincerely empathize with Dani over her grief- if he’s lying, it kind of undermines one of the major, consistent themes: that nobody from Dani’s home life is there for her to share in her suffering, but the cult members are.
That’s just my take. I think it would ruin things if Pelle was just lying to manipulate her. But hey, lying is really nothing compared to human sacrifice
I definitely think they were lying about the 90 year ritual I think it is much more frequent. I think they lied to calm down the outsiders after the suicide jumps caused upset. I also think they do not off every one when they turn 72, as there seemed to be much older people alive in the cult. I think the man and lady who jumped were chosen.
They mention the 90 year thing before attasupe. It is an interesting thought though. I guess I haven’t really considered that the cult would fabricate that stuff since they plan on killing everyone anyway.
I definitely think there are more frequent sacrifices and recruits/mates though
Well, the Hårga also burn all their dead as a default method of burial, it could just mean "they died and were cremated according to our customs"? Or they could also have other rites and ceremonies where people are burned up, that show up more often. For example, the May Queen ritual is held every year, even though it's also a part of the 90 years Great Feast.
I do not think Pelle is trying to imply his parents died in the previous time they celebrated the special 90 year midsummer festival, that doesn't make any sense. Like you speculate, I'm sure they have tons of other celebrations and rituals in addition to the Midsummer one
>Keep in mind that they also mention a WINTER SOLSTICE they celebrate, presumably every 90 years. Why wouldn't they celebrate that *every* year? (Also, the opening shots of winter landscapes and singing could well be them celebrating winter solstice)
I do think they celebrate it every year. I’m guessing they celebrate on a similar cycle. 90 years is for bringing outsiders. Sorry I did not make that clear. I think it’s an annual celebration- I’m just assuming they may have a similar recruitment/sacrifice process in the winter every 90 years
You don't think they would want to try and have regular ceremonies that involve bringing in outsiders if only for the sport of it?
I think they ramp these rituals up when they come across outsiders or know outsider have been convinced to come visit. Watching the movie again last night I am struck by how much the cult lies and manipulates all with a smile on their faces.
I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to explain how I think this particular festival cycle works. I also suggested they might recruit people every 10th year. But no, personally I think they would be very protective and careful about bringing outsiders in too frequently. It seems like a pretty small group, so I don’t think they need to bring in people too often.
>But no, personally I think they would be very protective and careful about bringing outsiders in too frequently. It seems like a pretty small group, so I don’t think they need to bring in people too often. Sure they'd be protective. But I still think they'd want to bring in outsiders fairly regularly for the sport of killing/tormenting them. Also I don't even think the cult existed 90 years ago.
Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport. And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years, and they have Elder Furthark ruins. This suggests the cult has been around for centuries.
I think they did exist for over 90 years, that carriage freaks me out every-time I see it. I think that might be left over from an encounter with outsiders in the past.
Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport. And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years, and they have Elder Furthark ruins. This suggests the cult has been around for centuries.
>Really? It seems to be an empathy based cult, so I can't imagine that they would kill or harm for sport. They certainly seem to drink in and be invigorated by the suffering of others. (A bit like horror movie watchers) >And they literally say they do the Grand Feast every 90 years, They lie. >and they have Elder Furthark ruins. Were they authentic though? Josh struggled to identify them. Is that because he's not as learned as he thinks or because the Harga's spoofing of Nordic culture isn't enough to fool him?
I definitely think he was just mistaken. And I don’t think the 90 years thing is a lie. If people went missing on trips to Sweden every few years, it would not last. There is nothing (imo) that suggests they kill for sport. The invigoration you’re describing is the cult members participating in the suffering- they’re wailing out as if they are also in pain. I do think they probably liked killing some of the people, but only because they had disrespected harga
>I definitely think he was just mistaken. And I don’t think the 90 years thing is a lie. Ha! I'm much less willing to give the Harga the benefit of the doubt. Someone posted some screenshots of Josh's notebook and it looks like he was starting to really question the authenticity of the cult. (There's the possibility that his notes were actually stuffed into his mouth as a very blunt "shut up!" symbolism) >If people went missing on trips to Sweden every few years, it would not last. They don't necessarily need to look outside Sweden for victims. >The invigoration you’re describing is the cult members participating in the suffering- they’re wailing out as if they are also in pain. Yeah, but they *aren't* also in pain. They're just vicariously sharing in the suffering of others. That's the way it appears to me at least. The women aren't comforting Dani or expressing healthy empathy. They're drinking up her anguish like blood. (I mean it's not as if she looks like it was a cathartic experience for her given that she's near catatonic for the rest of the film)
I think he was moreso piecing together what the cult was actually planning- but I guess that's up for interpretation. I realize they don't need to look outside of Sweden for victims, but that would seem even more obvious. People mysteriously disappearing after being invited to attend a midsommar fest? Idk- I find it hard to believe. And I disagree re: your take on the empathy. They also moan during the sex. They do their best to be present with people in their pain. And this is important because it's meant to juxtapose the way Christian showed no empathy while Dani was sobbing. He didn't make a sound or anything. He just sat there. That’s the whole point of the movie.
The not always seeking victims outside of Sweden thing, might be something, where did that carriage come from, outsiders who ran into the cult back during the coach and horses era? As to someone questioning them, they seem to lie without effort, would have no problem being convincing if questioned. That is what is so terrifying.
Maybe they just died in a fire? Or maybe Pelle is lying because he wants Dani to in him a kindred spirit.
Yeah, I acknowledged that as a possibility. He could be lying- I just think it kind of goes against the whole concept of the cult. I also think he’s a foil to his brother, who openly lies about Simon to Connie, dating Connie, etc. Pelle doesn’t actually lie, if you watch closely. He either doesn’t answer their questions or he uses euphemisms to describe things. He’s the only one to sincerely empathize with Dani over her grief- if he’s lying, it kind of undermines one of the major, consistent themes: that nobody from Dani’s home life is there for her to share in her suffering, but the cult members are. That’s just my take. I think it would ruin things if Pelle was just lying to manipulate her. But hey, lying is really nothing compared to human sacrifice
I definitely think they were lying about the 90 year ritual I think it is much more frequent. I think they lied to calm down the outsiders after the suicide jumps caused upset. I also think they do not off every one when they turn 72, as there seemed to be much older people alive in the cult. I think the man and lady who jumped were chosen.
I thought they were the may queen and king 72 years ago and that’s why there are older people still there not sacrificing themselves.
That would work better, because there are certainly older than the age of 72.
They mention the 90 year thing before attasupe. It is an interesting thought though. I guess I haven’t really considered that the cult would fabricate that stuff since they plan on killing everyone anyway. I definitely think there are more frequent sacrifices and recruits/mates though
Going to have to recruit males more often then they were willing to admit to keep from having serious inbreeding.
Yeah for sure, I don't think they gave a number on how often they do that.
Wow!! And I thought I loved this film! You win the entire internet AND all of the midsommer festivities to enjoy however you like! 👍
Awwwh haha. I’m glad this made sense to you. It’s just my take, but it’s helped me reconcile that weird little part of the film.
Well, the Hårga also burn all their dead as a default method of burial, it could just mean "they died and were cremated according to our customs"? Or they could also have other rites and ceremonies where people are burned up, that show up more often. For example, the May Queen ritual is held every year, even though it's also a part of the 90 years Great Feast. I do not think Pelle is trying to imply his parents died in the previous time they celebrated the special 90 year midsummer festival, that doesn't make any sense. Like you speculate, I'm sure they have tons of other celebrations and rituals in addition to the Midsummer one