Is Summer with Monika Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Summer with Monika is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 98 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.

Verdict:Summer with Monika is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 7.3/10, it has delivered a compelling experience for fans of the Drama, Romance genre.
Answer: Yes, Summer with Monika is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 98 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1953, Summer with Monika emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of One summer day, two teens begin a reckless affair and abandon their families to be with one another. Unlike standard genre fare, Summer with Monika attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Summer with Monika features a noteworthy lineup led by Harriet Andersson . Supported by the likes of Lars Ekborg and Dagmar Ebbesen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of Summer with Monika (1953) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.3/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Quick Plot Summary: Summer with Monika is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Breakdown: Summer with Monika resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of Summer with Monika reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Worth Watching If You:










Criterion Channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At HomeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.3/10, and global collection metrics, Summer with Monika stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1953 cinematic year.
Summer with Monika is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.3/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama, Romance movies.
Yes, Summer with Monika is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama, Romance cinema.
Summer with Monika is currently available for streaming on Criterion Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Criterion Channel depending on your region.
In Ingmar Bergman's 1953 film SOMMAREN MED MONIKA (The Summer with Monika), young, idealistic Harry (Lars Ekborg) meets the freespirited Monika (Harriet Andersson). Fed up with their dull stockroom jobs as midsummer approaches, they quit and and escape together to one of the myriad islands in the Stockholm archipelago. But while Harry is keen to get back to civilization and further his education in order to support the child they will soon have, Harriet thinks little of the future, pursuing her own whims of the moment. Harry is definitely the protagonist here, and receives the sympathy of the viewer as this bad girl tears his life apart. Upon its release, this film was a major contribution to Sweden's mid-century reputation as a sexually liberated place. However, that's all very much in the past. There is only one scene of (rear) nudity, and for the most part what 1950s audiences found scandalous is just some snogging that wouldn't raise eyebrows today. Still, Andersson does know how to flaunt her sex appeal, her full lips and proportioned figure, to the camera. In my opinion, this is not one of the greatest films of the auteur scene. Ingmar Bergman would go on to create a series of masterpieces that totally shook my world, but SOMMAREN MED MONIKA is a somewhat ordinary study of working class life and a morality tale much like British audiences would start getting with their kitchen sink dramas (e.g. BILLY LIAR) in the following years. There is also a totally contrived -- and rather inexplicable -- fight scene that Bergman needlessly uses to make Harry look chivalrous. Still, it is interesting to see a Sweden of severe class divisions that is now almost gone, with alcoholism-stricken families in dire poverty living alongside more fortunate Stockholm residents who keep servants. The first third of the film is almost like listening to an Allan Pettersson symphony. All in all, the film is entertaining and teaches us something about an earlier time and place, but don't think this is one of the more serious films that established Ingmar Bergman as one of the most daring and insightful filmmakers of the 20th century.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.