Stephen King Hails 66-Year-Old Horror Gem as Ancestral Inspiration behind Ari Aster's Resounding Success

Article Overview

Horror author Stephen King compares Curse of the Demon to Midsommar and The Wicker Man, calling it an "excellent film" and a "spiritual ancestor."

The inspiration for Midsommar can be traced back to the 1957 horror classic Curse of the Demon. Both films delve into the themes of paganism and cult behavior, highlighting the dire outcomes of flawed idol worship. This connection brings credibility to King's comparison between Midsommar and Curse of the Demon.

Stephen King considers Curse of the Demon to be a "spiritual precursor" to films like Midsommar and The Wicker Man. The 2019 movie by Ari Aster follows the journey of a couple with a tumultuous relationship who visit Sweden's midsummer festival and uncover the hidden truth about the seemingly innocent villagers, revealing them to be part of a pagan cult. Midsommar was highly praised upon its release and remains one of the most beloved horror films of the 21st century. In a recent comparison, King draws parallels between Midsommar, The Wicker Man, and the earlier film Curse of the Demon.

Taking to Twitter, King wrote that Curse of the Demon is an “excellent film” that is a “spiritual ancestor of HEREDITARY and THE WICKER MAN.”

Curse Of The Demon Is An Unusual Midsommar Comparison

Curse of the Demon, a 1957 fantasy horror film, stars DaAndrewsews, Peggy Cummins, and Niall MacGinnis. The story centers around an American professor attending a parapsychology conference in London, who gets entangled in the enigmatic actions of Julian Karswell, a man who worships the devil. The comparison King makes between the 66-year-old horror classic and Midsommar and Curse of the Demon is rather intriguing. Both films explore similar themes of paganism and cult behavior. Midsommar has often been compared to The Wicker Man due to these shared themes, but lesser known is the connection to Curse of the Demon, which dates all the way back to 1957.

This comparison, however, reveals one crucial aspect of Midsommar - it tells a timeless tale. Though set in the peculiar backdrop of a Swedish midsummer festival, the plot of Midsommar can be broken down into a basic horror structure. A woman named Dani, an outsider in this unfamiliar land, becomes entangled with people who hold unusual beliefs, resulting in horrifying consequences. This ultimately leads to the shocking conclusion of Midsommar, where her friends are sacrificed as part of a ritual while Dani herself becomes the May Queen.

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The influence of Curse of the Demon on The Wicker Man is another example. Although the former film does not revolve heavily around cult behavior, it delves into the consequences of problematic idol worship. The flawed worship of idols is portrayed with grave consequences in both The Wicker Man and Midsommar, which solidifies King's comparison.

Source: Stephen King/Twitter

Editor's P/S

Stephen King, the renowned horror author, draws a connection between Ari Aster's Midsommar and the 1957 horror classic Curse of the Demon. King refers to Curse of the Demon as an "excellent film" and a "spiritual ancestor" of Midsommar and The Wicker Man. This comparison sheds light on the enduring influence of Curse of the Demon and its relevance in the horror genre.

The comparison between these films is intriguing as it highlights the enduring themes of paganism and cult behavior in horror cinema. Both Midsommar and Curse of the Demon explore the dark side of human nature and the consequences of misguided beliefs. While Midsommar is set in a contemporary Swedish setting, Curse of the Demon takes place in 1950s London, showcasing how these themes have been explored throughout different eras and cultures.