Gonna edit this with a rating/my thoughts later because my third eye needs some time to process this after my double feature with Spider-Man Lmao

EDIT: Okay, so I've had some time to think it over and though there is an exceptional amount of this movie to love, I really think I'm just not an Ari Aster fan.

The man can direct. There are no objections there. But similarly to Hereditary (which I'm going to try to not make further comparisons to) a strong start with clear themes kind of dissipates into something else; losing its threads for the sake of set pieces and shock imagery.

There's a lot happening here. Commentary on the toll grief takes on an (already toxic?) relationship. Americentrism. The ridiculousness of organized religion. Cult mentality and how those groups take advantage of the vulnerable.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of these felt fully explored from beginning to end. Rather, they float by on occasion between horror sequences.

I'm really curious to hear other people's more in-depth thoughts regarding what they thought the thesis here was.

Technically spectacular. All elements really merge well together, but some stand out aspects come in the performances and production design.

7.5/10

Oh! And a question that is a spoiler:

--- SPOILER WARNING----

Was the ending implying Pelle was inbred? Because I thought the leader said something about him being unclouded.