Midsummer Night (2024)

I’ve been to several family get-togethers where there are simmering tensions just below the surface, but this Netflix series takes the cake.

The version we watched the other night was dubbed into English, so it is easier to watch than reading subtitles. A lot of the dialog telegraphs itself while the episodes take place, and much of the resulting storylines are logical, once you see the backstories that accompany the individual responses to them.

[O]ne critic’s review summing it pretty well.. “(were) this a longer show, there’d be time to understand the characters, find favorites, and support them in their finest glory, but with five episodes, there isn’t really any emotional impact. Though the show does attempt to bring to the forefront the idiosyncrasies of each member present, it kind of leaves you a little bit unsatisfied. However, I will admit that the cast is fantastic, and each member brings nuanced performances and stands out individually. Still, it’s a formulaic drama that has your betrayals, guilt, and misunderstandings to make it entertaining rather than feeling like you’re watching a boring old family gathering.”

IMDb

The Nordic Traditions of Midsummer Night

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Do you think Shakespeare’s play was based on this celebration? Hmm.