A Southern Breeze: Junebug

So, mate, I just finished watching “Junebug,” directed by Phil Morrison and featuring talent like the gorgeous Amy Adams and the ever-brilliant Embeth Davidtz. And folks, what a peculiar experience it was! It’s one of those movies that kinda sneaks up on you—like that Swedish herring that surprises your taste buds at midsummer.

The film takes us on a trip to the deep South of the USA, right into the sticky, often awkward heart of family life. Being a Swede, I don’t have Southern roots, but I couldn’t help but get flashbacks to summer holidays spent in the countryside near Småland. The claustrophobic intimacy of family can be…wild, can’t it?

Amy Adams, let’s talk about her! She just shines here, playing this enthusiastic, innocent character named Ashley. Her personality is larger than life, probably the human equivalent of Skåne in the spring, all bright and unexpected. But it was Embeth, in her role as Madeleine, who gave me lots to think about—this outsider trying to fit into a world as different as Midsommar’s to Christmas. The tension, both humorous and a wee-bit sad, is palpable from the first moment she steps in.

Some parts felt too slow to me. But maybe that’s the point, trying to mimic the languid pace of small-town life. The soundtrack, twangy and soulful, felt a bit like walking through a Göteborg market—colorful, a little chaotic, and full of character.

A memory came rushing back: once, at my cousin’s wedding near Dalsland—an awkward encounter with a relative I barely knew, all smiles and small talk. Felt a similar vibe here. Awkward but unforgettable.

Anyway, Junebug’s not your typical action-packed thriller but if you’re in for a slow, cozy journey into the sticky nuances of family (and enjoy Amy singing “The Way We Were” mid-movie), this might just curl up nicely on a rainy Swedish evening. Now, go out and do something totally Southern like…bake a pie? Or just grab a kanelbulle. Same thing really!

Check the trailer below