Beau may be afraid, but no one will be more afraid than the moviegoers squirming in their seats at this mind-blowing movie. A24 has given director Ari Aster a $35 million budget for his latest surrealist black tragicomedy horror film starring Joaquin Phoenix as Beau. It’s not easy to describe the premise of Beau Is Afraid, but it can be best described as an anxiety-ridden man’s journey home to his mother. But, of course, that’s one way of underselling a cinematic experience you could never be prepared for. Not now, not in a million years will you ever expect to see the things you’ll see in this movie.
Beau is worried. He worries about getting stomach cancer from swallowing mouthwash, getting stabbed by a deranged naked man, and the violent people surrounding his home day and night. For Beau, there is no peace as his plan to visit his mother is unsuccessful. He lives in a heightened sense of reality where we see everything through his anxiety. The fear with which Beau sees the world is how the audience sees the film, creating a surrealist nature that makes this Aster’s wackiest film yet.
If you’ve seen Hereditary and Midsommar, his two previous films, you would know how strong Aster’s directorial style is. Although those are unique horror movies, this is Aster, no holds barred. He carries many of his previous work’s themes, such as complicated familial relationships surrounding mothers and the pain of grief. We’re watching Beau’s mind in this film; it feels unconventional, quirky, and out of this world. The film blurs the line between reality and fantasy, building some fascinating intrigue in what you’re watching. There is a narrative driving the story forward. Still, Beau Is Afraid feels more like an experimental film, playing with storytelling conventions and allowing you to laugh at all the right moments.
This movie can sometimes be horrifying, with some scenes typical of Aster’s dark style. It can feel like a dream, and other times, a nightmare, matching the scattered structure and elevated moments. While you don’t typically notice the strangeness of a dream until you wake up, Beau Is Afraid is a dream you’re entirely conscious of. As a result, it is Aster’s least accessible movie because you’re getting a film where you will not be able to look away, nor will you believe your eyes due to the sheer insane quality this movie has.
Phoenix gives a fantastic performance in Beau Is Afraid. There are moments where Aster leaves the camera on him for a while as he performs scenes where he is on the phone, and he must convey many emotions through his face and heart-wrenching dialogue delivery. Everything amounts to a movie that will not be for everyone. It has excellent cinematography and absurd visuals, all with a few moments that may have you screaming, “What the f—?!” Some may watch this movie and call it one of the worst films they’ve seen, but you won’t get a vision as metaphorical and multifaceted as this anywhere else.
SCORE: 7/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Beau Is Afraid review.
