Review: ‘Beau Is Afraid’ Is A Beautifully Weird Anxiety-Ridden Journey Into Ari Aster’s Wild Mind

Photo from A24

BEAU IS AFRAID (2023)

Ari Aster out Aster’s himself with the unique and wild Beau is Afraid, a film that you’ll either completely vibe with or despise. I, for one, consider it an anxiety-ridden chaotic masterpiece that is in a league of its own.

Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) is incredibly paranoid about just about everything in his life who finds himself on a bizarre journey to get home to his mother. If you haven’t seen the film yet, perhaps stop here and come back after you have (no specific spoilers are discussed here, but overall themes are investigated). From the very beginning of Beau is Afraid, the kookiness is on full display from the visual set pieces to the odd behavior of Phoenix’s Beau. Those early moments pale in comparison to the loopy journey that unfolds throughout Aster’s 3-hour project. Without Phoenix’s committed, incredible performance, Beau is Afraid simply would not work. Through his work here, however, one can discern the intent of the film’s plot (or at least an individual interpretation, and perhaps after some reflection). What follows is my take on what the film is depicting. Each step of the frenzied adventure that plays out is a manifestation of the anxiety and underlying feelings of the main character, as fantastical as they may be. Knockout performances from the likes of Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Parker Posey, and Patti LuPone compliment the stellar cinematography and direction; this is a technically sound, beautiful film. LuPone herself is putting in some of her best work in a long time here as Beau’s mother, a bedeviling character that is equal parts mysterious and menacing. 

Beau is a truly troubled character, a man who analyzes every possibility and leans into the worst probable outcome, catastrophizing every minute of his existence. What is responsible for this behavior is up for debate and won’t be discussed here beyond the fact that it largely involves his mother to some extent. Guilt is an instigating theme that kickstarts the events of the film, perhaps the basis for what is playing out and the root of the displayed anxiety. As someone who is also an incredibly anxious person, there was an odd comfort in seeing the events play out the way they did, a visualizing of the most ridiculous trains of thought that allow for a some personal perspective. This being an Aster movie, everything is exaggerated to the greatest (and weirdest) extents in ways that allow for subtle humor and unexpected empathy to weave through the plot. No, not everything makes sense, but when you’re anxious, paranoid, and worrying, sense is often scarce. When the credits rolled, I didn’t feel like I watched a 3-hour film; I was intrigued every step of the way. You won’t walk out with a clear idea of what you just watched, nor will the finale satisfy as a resolution to everything viewed. It’s a film that I have not stopped thinking about, dissecting, pondering… and I don’t expect to for quite sometime. This is not for everyone, which is part of the appeal for me. Aster clearly was given the keys here without any guideposts and what results is his most unhinged work yet. It may also be my favorite from him.

Beau is Afraid hits theaters Friday.

Rating: 5/5