Dani, a young woman reeling from the recent tragic loss of her family, travels with her boyfriend Christian and his friends to a remote Swedish village, Hårga, to attend their annual Midsummer Festival. What Dani believes will be a joyous celebration of nature and friendship, however, quickly descends into a nightmarish descent into the depths of a pagan cult's sinister rituals. As the group gets deeper into the traditions of the Hårgas, they experience the effects of a psychedelic drink, leading to hallucinations and increasingly disturbing experiences. The Hårgas' customs, while seemingly welcoming at first, turn out to be an unsettling blend of ancient pagan beliefs and a disturbingly dark sense of community. The group's initial sense of wonder and curiosity gradually gives way to a growing unease as they witness the Hårgas' more extreme practices, including blood sacrifice, ritualistic death and, ultimately, the cult's disturbing interpretation of rebirth. As Dani becomes increasingly disoriented by her experiences, Christian finds himself captivated by the allure of the Hårgas' secrets, ultimately choosing to stay with the community despite Dani's desperate pleas for them to leave. Their relationship crumbles under the weight of a clashing worldviews and a growing distrust. Dani, overwhelmed by the terror of the ritualistic violence and the manipulative behavior of those around her, tries to escape, only to find herself caught in the Hårgas' bizarre, and ultimately terrifying, world. In the end, Dani falls prey to the cult's influence, becoming their May Queen and embracing the surreal and disturbing reality they offer. Christian, on the other hand, chooses to delve deeper into the cult's rituals, surrendering to their strange and captivating way of life.

• The scene opens with tranquil Swedish landscapes, transitioning to a quiet Minnesota home. Dani, a young woman, leaves a worried message for her parents after receiving a troubling email from her sister, Terri. In her Brooklyn apartment, Dani stares at the email, which reads, "i cant anymore - everything’s black - mom and dad are coming too. goodbye." She calls her boyfriend, Christian, trying to mask her anxieties, but her worry is evident. Christian reassures her that Terri is just seeking attention, but Dani remains unconvinced. The scene ends with Dani, her eyes wide with insecurity, left grappling with her anxieties about her sister and the unanswered questions in her cryptic message.
• Dani, consumed by anxiety about her relationship with Christian, calls her girlfriend for support. She worries she's pushing him away and takes an Ativan to calm down. Meanwhile, Christian, at a pizza parlor with friends, grapples with their advice to break up with Dani. As he considers their words, his phone rings – it's Dani. He answers, only to be met with a deep, terrifying cry that leaves him shaken and unsure of what to do.
• The scene opens with a horrifying discovery: a couple and their daughter found dead in their home, poisoned by carbon monoxide. We then see the same fate befall Dani's sister, Terri. Six months later, Dani, still deeply grieving, is in her Brooklyn apartment, seeking solace in Christian's arms. Despite his attempts to comfort her, a secret hangs heavy in the air: Christian has kept a trip to Sweden for a midsummer festival from Dani. When she learns of this hidden plan, it creates tension and doubt about the future of their relationship.
• Dani and Christian are thrown into a tense situation after a Lyft ride home. Dani is upset and confused by Christian's abrupt decision to go to Sweden for a month and a half without prior discussion. Christian tries to apologize, but his defensiveness only fuels Dani's frustration. Their argument escalates, leading to Christian threatening to leave, which causes Dani to break down in tears. Seeing her distress, Christian softens and offers her the chance to join him in Sweden. Dani, shocked by the unexpected invitation, remains hesitant, leaving the scene with a sense of uncertainty hanging in the air.
• Christian's plan to avoid awkwardness by pretending to invite Dani to Sweden backfires when she unexpectedly shows up at Mark and Josh's apartment. Dani and Pelle connect over their shared interest in the upcoming Midsummer festival, but Pelle's condolences over Dani's loss leads to a moment of emotional tension and Dani retreating to the bathroom.
• A group of friends travel through Sweden in a rental minivan. While Mark makes lighthearted comments about the women, Dani appears withdrawn and distressed. The group discusses runes and their research interests, but Dani's silent turmoil remains unnoticed by the others. The scene ends with a dissolve, leaving Dani's emotional state and its potential impact on the journey unresolved.
• Pelle and his friends arrive in Hälsingland for a Saint John's Eve celebration and are welcomed by Pelle's brother, Ingemar. Ingemar offers magic mushrooms, causing some excitement and some hesitation within the group. Dani and Christian are hesitant, but Dani eventually agrees to take them while Christian opts for mushroom tea. Despite Mark's impatience for the trip to begin, the group decides to take the mushrooms together, setting the stage for a potentially transformative experience.
• As the evening progresses in a meadow, Dani, under the influence of drugs, experiences growing paranoia and discomfort. The arrival of a new person, Valentin, further unsettles the group. Dani feels overwhelmed and leaves the others, encountering strange youths and an increasingly unsettling Ingemar. Feeling isolated and fearful, she retreats into an outhouse.
• Dani, alone in a dark outhouse, lights a match and briefly sees her sister Terri. Lighting a candle, she sees her reflection and is horrified as her skin becomes translucent, revealing organic gears beneath her cheeks. She fights the vision, but when she opens her eyes again, she has ten extra eyes on her face. Screaming in terror, she flees the outhouse. Meanwhile, the other characters, Christian, Josh, Mark, and Pelle, remain in the field, their conversation hampered by their drug-induced anxieties and disorientation, leaving Dani's desperate flight unanswered.
• Dani, high on drugs, descends into a terrifying hallucination in the woods. She feels a menacing presence and sees a dead rabbit devoured by ants, triggering a panicked reaction. Christian finds her and tries to ground her in reality, reassuring her she isn't alone, but her fear remains, fueled by visions of dead boars hanging from a tree. Christian, though worried, insists they are not real, attributing her experiences to the drugs. They return to the group, with Dani appearing withdrawn and Christian visibly tense.
• The group arrives at the Hårga farmstead, a vibrant community celebrating a traditional 9-day pagan feast. They are greeted with warmth and wild strawberries, and Pelle introduces his family. A welcoming ceremony unfolds, with elders receiving floral crowns and sprigs of larkspur. A fire ritual, meant to predict the harvest, is performed by two elders, Ylva and Dan, who carry flaming torches. When Dan's torch goes out, signifying bad luck for the cattle, the community reacts with a sense of worry, particularly Isak, who is responsible for the cattle.
• At the Härgå farmstead, a group of teenagers in formal attire serves a platter featuring a lamb's skull and heart to the elders, marking the end of a ritual and the beginning of a feast. Elder Sten sings a song of thanks to nature, while Pelle explains the farm's traditions to Dani, Josh, and Christian. Tensions arise between Josh and Christian, and Mark is reminded of the importance of respect when he attempts to eat before the song concludes. The scene is visually striking, filled with reverence for tradition, culminating in the communal act of eating.
• At the Hårga Farmstead, a group gathers to watch 'The Long Dance.' Maja playfully kicks Christian as she joins the dance, prompting him to participate after some encouragement from Pelle. Dani feels hesitant about joining, while Simon shares a beer with Connie, causing resentment in Ingemar. Pelle gifts Dani a birthday drawing, which she appreciates. The scene captures a lighthearted yet tense atmosphere, highlighted by subtle romantic tensions between Christian and Maja, and a charged moment between Christian and Josh.
• As the group tours the Håрga estate, Pelle introduces them to various intriguing sights, including a school where children carve runes, a sacred triangular house, and a carpet illustrating a love story. Tensions arise when Ingemar reveals his past relationship with Connie, creating discomfort for her and Simon. The scene blends light-hearted exploration with underlying relationship conflicts, culminating in the group approaching the Main House.
• Upon entering the community's main house, a large barn-shaped structure adorned with murals and runes, the group is introduced to their unique age-based system: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Dani discovers photos of past May Queens, chosen through a midsummer dance competition, piquing Mark's interest. Christian's attempt to surprise Dani with a birthday cake goes awry due to her initial unawareness, but they reconcile with a kiss. The scene ends with the group settling in, a sense of curiosity and wonder mixed with the anticipation of the community's unusual customs.
• As night falls upon the isolated village, an atmosphere of unease permeates the main house. While the villagers prepare for sleep, Dani, a newcomer, is deeply disturbed by the cryptic explanations surrounding their customs and the unsettling mural depicting a man harming himself. Pelle, a villager, hints at a disturbing upcoming ceremony called "Ättestupan," further fueling Dani's anxiety. The tension between Christian and Josh escalates, while a teenage couple sneaking out intensifies Dani's sense of unease, leaving her staring into the night, heavy with foreboding.
• After a communal meal, a group led by Pelle carries their elders up a hill, preparing for a traditional ritual called Ättestupan. The group splits at a fork in the trail, with some going up the hill and others descending into a valley. Pelle warns Dani that the ritual is unlike anything in America, sparking her nervousness. Meanwhile, Josh seems to relish Dani's uncertainty, while Mark makes light of the situation. The scene ends with Dani asking Pelle to explain the nature of the Ättestupan ritual, leaving the audience with a sense of anticipation and unease.
• A group of outsiders witness a disturbing ritual in a remote valley. Two elderly members of the community, Ylva and Dan, are led to a cliff overlooking the beach. After drawing blood and pressing their hands onto rune stones, they leap to their deaths. While Ylva dies instantly, Dan survives the fall but is brutally bludgeoned to death by three men representing different generations. The community leader, Siv, explains that this act is a traditional custom, a way of ending their life cycle with dignity and giving way to the next generation. The outsiders are horrified by the violence, while the community members seem to accept it with stoic resignation.
• Josh, energized after a day at the beach, returns home eager to work on his research project. His excitement turns to fury when Christian reveals his intention to write his thesis on Hårga, the same topic Josh is researching. Accusing Christian of laziness and unethical behavior, Josh refuses any collaboration and leaves Christian feeling hurt and rejected.
• Christian, visibly tense, finds Simon and Connie leaving the farmstead, while Mark expresses surprise at their departure. Christian approaches Maja and Ulla, who are decorating a tree, seeking information about the Attestupans' mourning rituals. He learns they grieve and celebrate simultaneously and is invited to ask more questions later. Meanwhile, Josh attempts to claim the idea of writing a thesis on the Hårgas as his own, pitching the idea to Pelle. Pelle, however, insists on collaboration or conflict resolution between Josh and Christian before approaching the elders about the thesis.
• Dani and Christian, outsiders visiting the Hårgan community, witness a bizarre and unsettling ceremony. They see the corpses of Ylva and Dan being burned, then a bejeweled tree thrown into a glowing lake. A young boy, Bror, is prepared as a sacrifice, adorned like the tree, but the crowd protests and he is released. Dani is deeply disturbed by the events, while Christian finds them amusing, highlighting a cultural clash and leaving a sense of unease and uncertainty.
• Dani and Christian argue about the Hårgas' ceremony, with Dani wanting to leave and Christian determined to stay for his research. Their disagreement escalates into accusations of manipulation, highlighting a growing rift in their relationship. The scene culminates in Christian angrily storming off, leaving Dani alone.
• The morning after Dani’s disturbing nightmare, the Hårgan community engages in various rituals. Maja places a rune under Christian’s bed, while the men clean the fire pit where the elders were burned and scatter their ashes on the rotvälta. Mark, seeking permission for his thesis, is allowed to write it but with restrictions. Tension arises when Mark accidentally pees on the ancestral tree, provoking Ulf’s fury. Christian and Pelle try to defuse the situation, and Inga intervenes. Dani and Christian have a brief, charged exchange, avoiding a confrontation. The scene ends with the sound of horns, leaving everyone looking toward the source, hinting at an upcoming event.
• A disturbing ritual involving the sacrifice of nine animals takes place on Animal Sacrifice Hill, leaving Dani deeply unsettled. Pelle attempts to soothe her fears by explaining the ritual's significance and the importance of community, while Christian is fascinated and Josh secretly films the event. Despite her initial distress, Dani ultimately agrees to stay after Pelle's comforting words and a calming herb.
• Following a disturbing animal sacrifice ceremony, Simon and Connie are deeply troubled. Simon challenges Sten's justification for the ritual, arguing that it is immoral to teach children to kill innocent creatures. Sten defends the practice, comparing it to the necessary sacrifices in relationships, but Simon remains unconvinced. The scene ends with Simon and Connie, visibly shaken, leaving the hill, leaving the conflict unresolved.
• Connie arrives at the main house to find Simon has left for the train station without her. Odd claims there was no room in the truck, but Connie is unconvinced. Meanwhile, Christian interviews Valentin about Hårga customs while Dani arrives with the news of Simon's departure, which Christian seems indifferent to. Josh is led to Ruben's temple by Arne, a development Christian observes with surprise. Dani, now distrustful of Christian, walks away, leaving him alone with Valentin.
• Dani explores the farmstead, joining the women preparing dinner and learning about the community. Meanwhile, Josh encounters the mysterious Rubi Radr in the temple, a book filled with runes and abstract art. As Josh learns about the book and its creator, a distant scream echoes through the air, leaving both Dani and Josh with a sense of unease and anticipation.
• As Dani takes pies from the oven, a distant scream interrupts her. Mark approaches the Fire Temple, where he encounters Inga and a group of young women. Meanwhile, dinner guests are seated in a field, and tensions rise when Christian discovers a pubic hair on his pie. Dani expresses concern over Connie's absence, while Ulf glares at Mark, reminding him of past conflicts. Josh's probing questions about the Rubi Radr create further discomfort. Inga invites Mark to leave with her, heightening the scene's ominous atmosphere.
• In a tense and suspenseful night scene at Ruben's Temple, Josh, unable to sleep, sneaks out to photograph the holy book, Rubi Radr. He is startled when he encounters a figure he believes to be his friend Mark, but it is actually Ulf in disguise. Without warning, Ulf attacks Josh with a cudgel, knocking him unconscious and dragging his body away, leaving the audience in suspense about Josh's fate.
• The community gathers for breakfast, but the mood is somber as Sten announces the disappearance of the 19th book of Rubi Radr. He also reveals that Mark went missing the previous night, and suspicion falls on Dani, Christian, and Pelle, who were the last to see their friends Josh and Mark. Dani claims she saw Mark leave with Inga, while Pelle and Odd are assigned to search for the missing boys. Their search leads them to the shocking discovery that the truck is missing, leaving them distraught. Christian, feeling uneasy, decides to visit Siv, adding another layer of mystery to the unfolding events.
• A mysterious flower paste is consumed by women in preparation for a traditional Maypole dance. Dani, nervous about the paste's effects, witnesses grass growing from her shoes. Irma, a leader figure, explains the dance's history as a defiance of the Dark One, highlighting its dangerous nature. The women, united in their defiance, begin their energetic dance around the Maypole, symbolizing their resistance.
• In a small room adorned with unsettling runic murals, Christian grapples with the cultural expectations of mating with Maja, as presented by the composed Siv. Despite being approved for the union, Christian's loyalty to Dani leaves him hesitant and conflicted. The conversation reveals his discomfort with the ritual, culminating in his decision to decline the offer, highlighting his internal struggle and the tension between personal feelings and cultural obligations.
• Christian, torn by a moral dilemma, watches the chaotic maypole dance competition. The dancers, under the influence of hallucinogens, struggle to maintain their composure. Several women are disqualified as the effects take hold. Dani, initially enjoying the dance, begins to feel uneasy and sees a connection to Josh. Maja, intentionally feigning collapse, sits near Christian, who reciprocates her smile. Ulla offers Christian spiked water, which he accepts and drinks. The hallucinogens manifest, with a dancer seeing centipedes on the ground, but Dani remains unaffected. Despite the mounting chaos, Dani, with Karin's encouragement, manages to avoid the hallucinations and continues dancing, concluding the scene with a laugh as the other dancers dance under the drug's influence.
• Dani, competing in a maypole dance, wins unexpectedly after another competitor stumbles and falls. Crowning her as May Queen, the women celebrate enthusiastically, leading Dani to feel a mix of confusion and surreal acceptance. While she is bewildered by the sudden attention, the scene ends with her being lifted onto a golden plank, her fear giving way to a sense of being celebrated.
• Dani is celebrated as she is ushered towards a throne at a lavishly decorated dining area. Magic blooms at her feet as she walks, signifying her growing confidence. However, she struggles to eat a large herring, and while she tries to embrace her new role, her speech is a mix of confusion and gratitude. Meanwhile, Christian remains distracted, drawn to another woman, Maja, showcasing a growing rift between him and Dani. The scene ends with Dani noticing Christian's distracted gaze towards Maja, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain.
• After a communal meal, Dani is chosen as the May Queen and prepared for a blessing ceremony. She is escorted to a carriage by women who light torches and give her holy spring water. Christian, left behind, is visibly conflicted as he watches Dani depart. He is then guided by a girl scattering flowers to a temple where he is met by Mats and given a white gown.
• In a mystical and unsettling scene, women perform a ritualistic offering in a wheat field, burying grain, a raw steak, and an egg while chanting. Simultaneously, Christian, dressed in a white gown, is given a stone pot by Mats inside a dark temple, where he inhales vapors that induce a hallucinatory state. The Man With Hair Covering His Face opens the temple doors, revealing Maja lying nude among chanting women. The scene culminates with a dazed Christian entering the temple, drawn into the eerie atmosphere of the rituals.
• As twilight falls, Dani blesses the livestock while Christian, heavily intoxicated, engages in a disturbing sexual act with Maja inside a temple, surrounded by older women in a trance. Drawn by the unsettling sounds, Dani peeks through a keyhole and is horrified by the scene, leading her to vomit outside. Overcome with panic and grief, she is guided by young women to the main house, where she breaks down in tears, prompting a collective emotional release among the women.
• Exhausted and disoriented from the ritual, Christian stumbles out of the temple. He is confronted by the gruesome reality of the Hårgan's actions - Dani's vomit, Josh's foot protruding from the ground, and the horrific sight of Simon hanging from the ceiling, mutilated and still breathing. Just as Christian begins to grasp the full extent of the horror, he is paralyzed by Odd, who throws brown powder in his face, leaving him helpless and vulnerable to whatever awaits him.
• A community gathers for a ritual sacrifice, overseen by the Queen, Dani. The ceremony involves four newbloods, four Hårgans, and one chosen by the Queen, to be offered as sacrifices. The offerings include two transformed corpses, two volunteers, and a young man named Pelle, chosen for his intuition. The final offering is selected by lottery, with two men, Dag and Christian, as the options. Dani ultimately chooses Christian, a paralyzed man in a wheelchair, who is horrified by the decision. Despite Christian's pleas and Dani's brief flicker of emotion, she remains resolute, leaving Christian screaming in terror as the scene ends.
• The Hårgan community gathers in their temple for a ritualistic sacrifice. The corpses of community members, including Connie and a straw-stuffed facsimile of Mark, are arranged in the temple. Christian, paralyzed and considered wicked, is placed inside a hollowed-out bear carcass, which is then set ablaze on a platform in the center of the temple. While Christian screams in agony, a man dressed as Vidorr, the god of vengeance, delivers a condemning speech. Ingemar and Ulf are given a mysterious liquid to drink, seemingly meant to alleviate their pain. The scene concludes with the temple engulfed in flames, the Hårgan community singing, and Christian burning to death inside the bear.
• The fire in the Sacred House escalates, consuming the bear holding Christian and spreading to the surrounding hay piles, ultimately claiming the life of Ulf. His agonizing screams reverberate throughout the community, prompting a unified wail of grief. Dani witnesses the horrifying scene, overwhelmed by sorrow and shame, collapsing to the ground in tears. She is then lifted by four Hårgans and placed on her throne, which is hoisted into the air. Dani experiences a whirlwind of emotions, from despair to excitement, culminating in a manic smile as she is lifted into the sky, signifying her reintegration into the Hårgan community.

Act 1

• Seq 1:

  Dani grows increasingly anxious about her sister Terri's ominous emails. She reaches out to Christian for support while battling fears of overwhelming him. The crisis culminates when Dani receives a devastating call confirming Terri and her parents' deaths, plunging Dani into grief. Six months later, the trauma still lingers as she discovers Christian withheld plans for a Sweden trip.

• Seq 2:

  Dani challenges Christian about concealing the Sweden trip, leading to a heated argument where he reluctantly invites her. After initial hesitation, Dani surprises the group by arriving at Christian's apartment. She bonds with Pelle about the festival while grappling with fresh grief triggers, ultimately cementing her participation.

Act 2a

• Seq 1:

  The group arrives at the meadow and consumes mushrooms, triggering Dani's intense psychological breakdown. She experiences terrifying hallucinations in the outhouse (seeing her dead sister and distorted self), flees into the woods where she encounters dead animals and insect swarms, and finally gets rescued by Christian who dismisses her visions as drug-induced. The sequence ends when they rejoin the group at the meadow, having barely survived the traumatic trip.

• Seq 2:

  The group enters the Hårga farmstead, receives a ceremonial welcome with strawberries and aquavit, and witnesses the torch ritual forecasting harvest fortunes. They observe the sacrificial lamb feast, watch traditional dances, tour sacred sites (rune school, temple, bear cage), and learn about the community's seasonal life philosophy. The sequence culminates in Dani's birthday celebration in the main house, creating a false sense of belonging.

• Seq 3:

  During nighttime in the main house, Dani learns about Ättestupan from Pelle while noticing disturbing murals. The next day, the community marches elders to a cliffside ritual site. After blood offerings and hymns, two elders jump to their deaths—one is brutally finished with a cudgel. Siv justifies this as sacred tradition, leaving Dani and the group traumatized by the violent cultural practice.

Act 2b

• Seq 1:

  Josh confronts Christian about stealing his thesis idea on Hårga traditions, leading to accusations of unethical behavior. Later, Christian probes villagers about rituals while Josh tries to assert ownership of the research topic to Pelle, who insists on collaboration or conflict resolution. The academic rivalry remains unresolved.

• Seq 2:

  Dani witnesses traumatic ceremonies (near-child sacrifice, animal slaughter) and begs Christian to depart. He refuses, prioritizing his thesis. Their relationship fractures during arguments. Simon and Connie attempt to flee after the animal sacrifice, but Connie gets separated. Dani discovers Christian's indifference to disappearances, destroying her trust.

• Seq 3:

  Dani investigates Simon/Connie's disappearance with evasive villagers while Josh photographs the forbidden Rubi Radr book and gets murdered. Mark vanishes after being lured away. At breakfast, the community feigns concern over the missing friends and holy book, assigning tasks to Dani/Christian to maintain control.

• Seq 4:

  Dani ingests hallucinogens and competes in the ritual dance, battling disorientation and visions. Christian is propositioned for the mating ritual. Dani perseveres through eliminations, wins the crown, and is celebrated as May Queen, gaining cult status.

• Seq 5:

  Dani performs blessings and rituals as May Queen. Christian gets drugged and participates in the mating ritual with Maja. Dani witnesses his infidelity, vomits in horror, and collapses into communal grief with Hårga women, symbolizing her final embrace of the cult.

Act 3

• Seq 1:

  Christian discovers Josh's buried body and Simon's mutilated corpse in the chicken coop. Panicked, he tries to flee but is ambushed by Odd, who paralyzes him with powder, ending his ability to escape or resist.

• Seq 2:

  The paralyzed Christian is presented as a sacrifice option. Dani chooses him, leading to his gruesome preparation inside a bear carcass. The temple is set ablaze with Christian, Ulf, and others burning alive. Dani witnesses this in horror but ultimately breaks down and is elevated as May Queen, embracing the cult's ecstasy.