Beau Is Afraid

R

Released Apr 21, 2023

2h 59m

Adventure

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Drama

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List

68%

Tomatometer

270 Reviews

71%

Audience Score

250+ Verified Ratings

A paranoid man embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother in this bold and ingeniously depraved new film from writer/director Ari Aster.

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Critics Consensus

Beau Is Afraid is overstuffed to the point of erasing the line between self-flagellation and self-indulgence, but Ari Aster's bravura and Joaquin Phoenix's sheer commitment give this neurotic odyssey undeniable power.

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Audience Says

It's very long, very confusing, and definitely not for everyone -- but love it or hate it, it's hard not to respect Beau Is Afraid's ambition.

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Ben Walters

Sight & Sound

It’s hard to thrill to the turn of the screw when the wheels have already come off.

Jun 8, 2023

Full Review

Guy Lodge

Film of the Week

An often sensationally funny black comedy, poetically punctuated by the horror of the human condition. The connecting tissue between all three films is the dread of mortality, which in Beau is Afraid is given a run for its money by the terror of living.

Jun 2, 2023

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

It’s not that the laughter is set against the despair. It is the despair itself that is so funny – so absurd, so pointless, so pathetic.

Rated: 5/5

May 23, 2023

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Calum Cooper

Flick Feast

There is an evident consideration to theme, as is always the case with Aster, but the execution feels like it is having its cake and eating it too.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

Jorge Ignacio Castillo

The Canadian Crew

Alas, at least the first hour of Beau is Afraid is a complete riot, a smorgasbord of black comedy and modern neuroses with a dash of slapstick. The real feat would have been to sustain that pace for the entire movie.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 13, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

“Beau Is Afraid” is a surreal Boots (“Sorry to Bother You”) Riley-esque “The Fabelmans” (2022) meets “The Truman Show” (1998) without being derivative and still delivering quintessential Aster cinema

Jun 2, 2024

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Annalise

Ari Aster's best so far, he made a horror epic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/23

Full Review

Sally

This movie was so weird. Ari Aster is a master at playing with your mind and presenting things you would never expect. This movie felt like a fever dream that just wouldnt end. I have so many questions.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

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Josh

I cannot say that Beau is Afraid is objectively the best movie I've ever watched, although it is certainly among the top 10. What I can say, however, is that this movie is the most haunting. I can guarantee that there will be no point in the next few months where I will not have this movie residing somewhere in the back of my mind. I do not dare go into specifics for fear of spoiling the movie, but I will say that as the credits rolled, I felt glued to my seat, in a dual state of needing to cry and being unable to do so in a way that would properly represent what I would be crying for. This is that kind of movie. You should watch it, but pick a time that you won't need to do anything for the rest of the evening, because now I have to go to therapy of all things, and I don't know if I'm ready to return to my own life that quickly.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/23

Full Review

Chris

Great acting, editing, and cinematography. Loved the ironic humor but it derailed about half way and never recovered.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/16/23

Full Review

Stephen

It was a very original movie. The pacing is as unconventional, and rough in some parts, but I’d still suggest it to people who like unique movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/15/23

Full Review

abCynth666

The bar for f**ked up films has been raised. Like a unrelenting bad dream.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/23

Full Review

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Ari Aster

Director

Joaquin Phoenix

Beau

Nathan Lane

Roger

Amy Ryan

Grace

Parker Posey

Elaine

Patti LuPone

Actor

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Beau Is Afraid: Exclusive Movie Clip - City

1:50

Beau Is Afraid: Exclusive Movie Clip - Bedroom

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Beau Is Afraid: Trailer 2

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Beau Is Afraid: Featurette - Behind the Scenes

1:11

Beau Is Afraid: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

A paranoid man embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother in this bold and ingeniously depraved new film from writer/director Ari Aster.

Director: Ari Aster
Producer: Lars Knudsen, Ari Aster
Screenwriter: Ari Aster
Distributor: A24
Production Co: MTL Grandé Studios, A24, IPR.VC, Access Entertainment, Square Peg
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Language|Sexual Content|Strong Violent Content)
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 21, 2023, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 13, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.1M
Runtime: 2h 59m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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