Few moments in modern horror cinema elicit the same visceral reaction as Christian’s death scene in Ari Aster’s Midsommar (2019). The moment Jack Reynor’s character is burned alive while trapped inside a disemboweled bear feels like a long-awaited comeuppance for one of the most frustrating boyfriends to ever grace the screen. For audiences, watching Christian suffer this fate offers a twisted sense of satisfaction, and yet, as the flames engulf him, the broader implications of the film seep in. It’s a moment that lingers—both cathartic and chilling, reminding viewers that they too have been drawn into the seductive danger of the cult at the film’s center.
Christian: A Truly Terrible Boyfriend
Christian’s death feels justified because, from the very start, he is set up as an awful partner to Dani (Florence Pugh), the film’s protagonist. We first meet Christian as he complains to his friends about wanting to end things with her, but instead of following through, he prolongs the relationship out of guilt following the tragic death of Dani’s family. Throughout the film, Christian is distant, uncaring, and emotionally manipulative—constantly dismissing Dani’s feelings and concerns. His most egregious offenses include forgetting her birthday, inviting her to Sweden only out of obligation, and belittling her reactions to the commune’s unsettling rituals.
As if his behavior toward Dani weren’t bad enough, Christian’s character sinks even lower when he selfishly decides to hijack his friend Josh’s (William Jackson Harper) thesis topic. He muscles in on the anthropological study of the cult’s midsummer festival despite having no genuine interest or expertise in the field, further emphasizing his self-centeredness. By the time we reach the film’s climax, audiences are already brimming with resentment toward Christian. It’s no wonder his eventual death scene elicits such a powerful emotional response—it feels like a long-overdue reckoning for his transgressions.
A Fiery Fate: Christian’s Death Scene
Christian’s demise comes in the film’s final act, where he is paralyzed, stuffed inside a bear’s skin, and burned alive as part of a sacrificial ritual. His horrific fate is not merely punishment for cheating on Dani—although the cheating scene, where he participates in a grotesque mating ritual, feels like the final straw—but the culmination of all his wrongdoings throughout the film. Dani, who witnesses this ritual, is ultimately given the choice of who will burn: Christian or a member of the cult. Her decision to sacrifice Christian may be the first true moment of empowerment she’s had since the film began.
From a horror perspective, the scene is visually stunning and deeply unsettling. The bright, pastel colors of the commune, juxtaposed with the grisly sight of Christian’s death, create an eerie contrast that heightens the emotional impact. But it’s not just the visuals that make the scene so effective—it’s the cathartic release for viewers who have spent the entire film watching Christian mistreat Dani. In a movie filled with disturbing imagery, this scene stands out because it taps into a deep, primal satisfaction: the idea that someone who has wronged another finally gets what they deserve.
The Dark Reality Behind Dani’s “Victory”
While the immediate reaction to Christian’s death may be one of triumph—both for Dani and the audience—it doesn’t take long for the film’s darker undertones to creep back in. Midsommar is, after all, a film about cults and the dangers of being seduced by their insidious practices. By the time Christian is burning, Dani has fully assimilated into the commune’s way of life. The audience, much like Dani, may initially feel a sense of freedom in watching him burn. However, the unsettling truth is that this is no true victory. Dani has severed her last tie to the outside world, effectively trapping herself in the very cult that has preyed on her vulnerability.
The cult, which at first seems like a quirky and colorful group of pagans, reveals itself to be far more sinister. They are deeply incestuous, seeking new outsiders like Christian to “diversify” their gene pool, and their rituals often end in human sacrifice. What begins as a seemingly harmless anthropological study turns into a horror show of manipulation, violence, and indoctrination. For Dani, who starts the film reeling from unimaginable grief, the cult offers the illusion of community and healing. However, by the time she dons the crown as the May Queen, it becomes clear that she is more isolated than ever.
The Twisted Appeal of Midsommar
Ari Aster’s Midsommar stands out not only as a horror film but as a psychological exploration of grief, relationships, and emotional manipulation. At its heart, it is a breakup movie—but one that uses horror to externalize the pain and trauma of separation. Christian’s death feels like a metaphorical cleansing for Dani, a final release from the toxic relationship that has held her back. Yet, the film’s brilliance lies in the fact that this release is fleeting. In sacrificing Christian, Dani has unwittingly sealed her own fate, falling deeper into the cult’s clutches.
For audiences, this creates a fascinating tension. On one hand, we cheer for Dani as she finally takes control of her situation and rids herself of the man who has caused her so much pain. On the other, we are left with the haunting realization that Dani’s newfound “freedom” comes at a tremendous cost. The film’s ending is not a happy one—far from it. It is a bleak commentary on how easily people can be manipulated when they are at their most vulnerable.
Conclusion: A Cathartic and Chilling Horror Masterpiece
In the end, Midsommar delivers one of the most unforgettable death scenes in modern horror. Christian’s fiery demise is a moment of pure, visceral satisfaction for audiences who have endured his insufferable behavior. But as the flames rise, so too does the dark reality of Dani’s situation. What seems like a victory is, in fact, a deeper entrapment, and the audience, much like Dani, is left to grapple with the unsettling consequences of what they’ve just witnessed.
Midsommar remains a landmark in horror cinema, offering not just scares but a complex, emotionally charged narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.