I remember feeling like a husk of a person walking out of the theater after watching Ari Aster’s Midsommar. The film was wonderfully uncomfortable and I couldn’t wait to sit through it again. I had that exact same feeling as the credits finished rolling on Aster’s new film Beau is Afraid.
The film follows Beau, a paranoid man who embarks on a journey to visit his mother in a terrifyingly funny comedy of errors that quickly turns into a twisted thriller. Joaquin Phoenix gives his best performance to date alongside legendary actors such as Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan. Sporting some crazy good sound mixing and design, a great soundtrack, and wonderful visuals that makes this film just a feast for the senses.
Ari Aster Does it Again
Beau is Afraid is a huge swing for the Hereditary director that not everyone is going to fall in love with the same way they did with his first two films. The film is incredibly heavy with symbolism from start to finish which makes this film a bit of a difficult watch since you spend a lot of time trying to decipher what the movie is trying to say. Especially with the film boasting a pretty substantial 3 hour runtime. Yet, that’s exactly what gets you so invested in this movie. There’s so much to dive into while watching this movie that the runtime flies by. And it’s not like the whole movie is having you look deep into your soul, there are plenty of times in this movie where you can just sit back and enjoy the comedic horrors unfold on screen.
Back in 2021 when this film was announced as a comedy, I was eager to see what Ari Aster had in store for us, especially since he had only done the critically acclaimed horror films Hereditary and Midsommar prior to this. The blending of comedy and horror? At first glance it might not make sense for these two genres to come together, however the two are more similar than you might think. It’s something that even Jordan Peele had discussed when he first started directing. Peele likened comedy to horror due to them both having a set up and delivery. The tension needed to deliver a good punchline or jump-scare is crucial. That’s why both Peele and now Aster excel at both genres.
Where Comedy and Horror Meet
The film is laugh out loud hilarious, especially in the first part of the movie, where we see a wonderful comedy of errors involving Beau and a crowd of deranged homeless people. From the second this movie starts it’s a wild, batshit crazy ride. While the film does have its moments of sincere emotion and deep introspection of the human condition, the movie will have you laughing and on the edge of your seat all the way to the final second. And trust me, this film uses up every second possible of its 3-hour runtime.
The movie has this great blend of dark humor and horror elements. One scene you’ll be laughing at the fact that Beau can’t seem to find any water to drink with his medication, the next you’ll be gripping the armrests of your chair while a naked man stabs and carves Beau up in the middle of the street. What sets this movie apart aside from its blend of jokes and unnerving performances is the twists and turns it takes. What starts off as a crazy comedy quickly turns into an insane thriller. Imagine a twisted take on The Truman Show mixed with Get Out all with the feel and uneasiness of Midsommar. As soon as you think you have a grasp on reality and what the mystery is behind Beau, Aster throws you another insane curveball that you won’t ever see coming.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wrap up this review without gushing over the use of animation in this film. I loved, loved, loved the animated storytelling that takes place unexpectedly in the movie. Everything looks gorgeous and js complemented well by the live action set pieces. Huge props to all the talented artists that worked not just on this film, but the ones who helped bring the animation to life.
I highly recommend seeing this in a packed theater. The energy of this movie is utterly insane and must be shared with others. This movie is going to be talked about for a long, long time. From the crazy twists, insane sound mixing, Phoenix’s best performance since Joker (calling it now, he’s getting that Oscar nom), the creepy performances given by the supporting cast, and some of the more out there movie monster reveal, Beau is Afraid is going to blow you away.
Beau is Afraid is now playing exclusively in theaters in NY and LA courtesy of A24. The film expands nationally on April 21, 2023.
While the film offers a lot to work through, the film is batshit crazy fun and full of surprises. I left feeling gutted in the best way possible and I'm eager to jump back in and do it again. Definitely a movie that will shock you again and again with each new watch.
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GVN Rating 9
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Ever since I was young, I had always been fascinated in film and the work that goes into them. I love animation, blockbuster hits, indie films and everything in between. Some day I’ll have the privilege of being apart of the filmmaking process.