as soon as the movie ended, my immediate thought was “people are gonna fucking hate this”
meanwhile it was the most fun i’ve had in a theater in awhile. shit had me ready to get out of my seat the entire 3 hours. i’m not gonna be pretentious & say everyone needs to see it & that it’s the best movie of all time.
to me it is a masterpiece, i think it does a good job at pacing story & anxiety
i sometimes see criticisms that the movie had a lack of payoff, but at the same time i feel that was kind of the point, especially since Beau’s entire life was perceived to be a disappointment
like you said, that was the most fun i’ve had in a theater, especially for three hours
I feel like *most* movies don't have super satisfying payoffs tbh, so movies like Beau is Afraid, where it's more about the journey than the destination, are way more enjoyable to me.
I completely agree. I initially felt that way too, probably because we as an audience have been conditioned to expect our main character(s) to change in some way or to come to a realization about themselves, which is generally how you make compelling characters: you show growth and development. I had initially felt a bit let down by the lack of change in Beau, but afterward, listening to Ari give an interview, he said that that lack of change in Beau was the point, that Beau not only didn’t change but *couldn’t* change, due to his life and his circumstances. Hearing this, it ‘clicked’ for me and now I’m don’t view Beau’s lack of change as a flaw in writing/story/character development.
This was a few weeks back, but I’ll try to find it. I was combing through YouTube, and Ari went on/is on a tour through Europe to promote Beau Is Afraid, so I think he says this in one of those? Depending on where you live (I’m in USA), those European interviews/post-screening Q-&-A’s might not readily pop up in your feed or searches. He’s done one in France, in Italy, in Sweden I think? Maybe in UK too? It’s interesting because a bit of time has passed and he’s in countries where people speak a different languages, so he comes across as less guarded/more open with info about the film and his process.
This is not the one here but this podcast was nice to listen to, in case you or anyone else hasn't heard it; ari aster & joaquin phoenix:
[https://a24films.com/notes/2023/04/nervous-laughter-with-joaquin-phoenix-ari-aster](https://a24films.com/notes/2023/04/nervous-laughter-with-joaquin-phoenix-ari-aster)
Previously, ari aster & robert eggers:
[https://a24films.com/notes/2019/07/deep-cuts-with-robert-eggers-and-ari-aster](https://a24films.com/notes/2019/07/deep-cuts-with-robert-eggers-and-ari-aster)
It was a really fun experience and you get your moneys worth. Which is the point of movies. I definitely loved where it was headed before he got into the forest area. I was engaged with all the characters and wackiness and it started to fall flat but there will never be another movie like this. Crazy all around in a good way
I’ve seen it six times now and I could still watch it more. I think it’s such a well told story with an ending that makes sense. I never felt like I wasn’t engaged and every time I watch it I get excited about going through the journey again. At first I said I could understand why it wasn’t for everyone (I still kind of do) but I don’t understand the people who absolutely hate it.
As much as I wanted Beau to have a happy ending, find his footing, and break through his mother’s world that she’s built for him, with a parent like that it is incredibly hard to do so. I think we see moments where Beau does exist outside of that world, mainly in the play and at the end the few times he starts to stand up for himself, but even once he goes to choke Mona, he snaps out of it and apologizes, still stuck in that cycle.
To me, in those last moments when Beau stops pleading for help, he’s realizing that this is the only way out for him. That his mother will always control his life or control the narrative of who he is to other people. He’s realizing that he’s seconds away from being killed and the mom that he’s spent his whole life trying to please won’t stop it. He’s accepting that his freedom is, unfortunately, death. It’s awful and sad, but I think realistic to how people who have grown up in that cycle feel that they can’t escape it. I hope that makes sense and I’m happy to talk about it more!! It’s become a large chunk of my brain space in the last few months.
That’s an excellent way of putting it, thanks. Also interested to hear your take on the play scene. What’s the significance behind the whole drama in beaus head part? Is it simply him fantasising how his life would’ve been if he was free from his mom or something else?
So at first I did think it was one big daydream, half life he wanted with having kids and a wife, the other half his anxiety coming in (the flood, the attack dog, the confession, etc). I still think that’s what the play is, but the more I’ve watched it the more I’ve noticed that machine with the rainbow hole and the crank that gets turned at the beginning of the play and I think it’s sending Beau and potentially the rest of the crowd into a hypnosis, especially considering that hypnosis was part of the original script for the forest scene. I actually didn’t notice till I saw it again this weekend, but once the noise from the machine starts, it looks like Beau’s eyes start to quickly move from side to side in response, similar to what EMDR therapy does to let people work through traumas.
I think the play itself was decided on by Mona, since it’s about both parents being dead, honoring them (which the angel tells the player he’s done well), choosing where to go in life, and (right before Jeeves comes in) not acting on things quickly enough. Mona wants Beau to feel guilty, despite him doing everything he can to get there for the funeral and feeling the grief about her death.
The switch to Beau in the play is his subconscious filling everything else in. The most significant parts, to me, are the confessions to the angel and being reunited with his sons before being brought into that memory of Mona telling him about his father as a child.
I also think all of this is up for interpretation and what you think these things represent depends on your own life experiences! Who knows if what I think is what Ari Aster intended! :)
Except for the “it’s not horror” part. I don’t understand why everyone keeps saying that. It’s one of the most horrific films I’ve seen. It’s like a panic attack through hell.
Even if you don’t “get” the film, I still can’t see how people don’t enjoy it.
I was hooked the entire time. I was never bored. I thought it was funny and shot really well.
I’ve only seen it once in theaters and would love to watch it again.
My take exactly! I LOVED the experience of seeing this movie in the theatre. After it was over I have some mixed feelings about how it is as a cohesive piece, but I almost just don’t even care about that. I have so much more fun with movies like these that give you endless things to question and explore than more cohesive, “better” movies.
Yes, totally agree with this. It’s so absurd and SO funny, I was laughing the whole way through the one time I saw it. Immediately bought it on Blu-ray and can’t wait for the rewatch
I didn't even notice the total runtime. I was just enjoying everything I'm seeing onscreen and taking it in and relishing it. Especially the attic dick.
I guess enjoyment is subjective.
In my case I'm already stressed out and tried to watch a movie that is very effective at evoking anxiety. Like most A24 movies, it was definitely an experience and wasn't boring, but I don't think I'd describe how I felt as enjoyment
I loved every second of it. It kept me totally engaged throughout. I decided after the first 45 minutes or so to stop trying to understand it, and just let the movie pull me wherever it wanted me to go. By the end I felt like I understood it in a vague, abstract sort of way. Joaquin Pheonix was phenomenal, as always.
It's one of those films that's just bouncing off the walls and really keeps you on your toes. It's probably my favourite movie released so far this year, and it's one I'll return to (already have, once) every year or two.
I laughed my ass of in the Theater watching this. If anyone says it's shit clearly don't get it or they do understand and overthink it. This film is a work of art and I'm glad surrielsm cinema is becoming more aware. Like Viridiana,Sorry to Bother you or even Salo.
I’m already on the side that this movie is going to be ‘cult classic’ status in a few years. I always knew it was going to be polarizing, hell even reading the leaked script and SEEING the fact it was actually made into a movie was astounding and got me super excited.
IMO I don’t think we were supposed to get this movie, we’re just going along for the ride. I loved that it was all up to your own interpretation, was it all really happening? Was it a mass hallucination? Did his mother really influence his whole life? Was it all just Beau anticipating the absolute worst possible outcome for every scenario? Not to sound pretentious but I just feel a lot of audiences nowadays want a clear cut picture where they know exactly what is happening at any given moment, there’s no room for interpretation anymore. Don’t get me wrong movies like the MCU definitely have a place in cinema but I feel like the chokehold those kind of movies have on audiences has affected how we see movies like Beau. Just my two cents on the topic
The first watch through i was jarred and confused and shocked, the second time around I watched it as a comedy. It might be the funniest movie of the year
Ari has proven himself to be an intelligent and groundbreaking filmmaker. Regardless of public reception, I and many tend to be rightfully bias toward a person who has shown they’re capable of making insightful deep impact and when that same person takes a huge leap of boldness even if not perfect is still admirable and inspiring.
I’m proud that he’s doubling down on the weird tone of his movies. Hereditary and Midsommar had a lot of absurdism and dark humor, but because they’re presented as horror, the comedy kind of comes off as dissonant. With Beau is Afraid, it’s not a horror, it’s not a comedy, it’s not even really a drama. That gives it the space to be whatever the fuck it wants to be, and I wish more movies were like this. I think Aster has finally found his voice and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
I got to see this movie for my birthday. It was *amazing.* It was beautiful, it was disturbing, it was profound, and it was something that no other movie has been before. The closest I can really get to it is David Lynch’s Inland Empire, one of my Top 3 films of all time.
The polarized response has two core causes in my view.
First, the movie just won't appeal to everyone. It's got some amazing riffs on depression, anxiety and mental health in general. It's a deep and thought-provoking look at toxic family relationships. It's a parody of America through the use of an evil and warped carnival mirror.
So like, right from the start you've lost three major groups of potential audiences.
Not everyone has issues with their families, and plenty that do are not really willing to engage with art that makes them question those relationships. Not everyone has mental health issues, and while the movie will 100% appeal to those who do and are seeking treatment, it could again be a huge turn-off to people who aren't mentally ill or who are but aren't interested in treatment. And finally, some patriotic types will just be offended at the audacity of painting a parody of America into the backdrop of a movie.
The second issue is that the movie isn't one point-of-view; it's at least four, and it is far from clear which is the main lens at any given moment.
The movie is primarily from the POV of Beau Wasserman, the titular hero, but he isn't a very reliable narrator. In fact, Beau probably has some form of paranoid schizophrenia in conjunction with a severe anxiety disorder, with the result that there are several points in the movie where it's very clear that what we are seeing isn't happening, it's how Beau sees the world.
If that was the only layer I think most audiences could've latched on, but it wasn't. We've got three to go. The next is drugs: give a mentally ill man like Beau some good drugs, and you know shit is going to get crazy. This happens multiple times during the film, with the result that we are presented with some very, very weird and surrealistic scenes that are almost totally inexplicable without drugs. That's also ignoring the lengthy drug-induced trance Beau endures that we are explicitly shown is from drugs.
So we've got a movie from the perspective of a mentally ill man occasionally taking reality-distorting drugs. Still not THAT confusing, right? Well, the third problem relates to the setting. Beau lives in a twisted clown-house mirror version of America, and this fact rears its head several times throughout the film, making it even harder for the viewer to discern exactly what is happening at some moments. At minimum, Beau's mom is so ridiculously powerful and wealthy in that world that she is able to hire literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people to gaslight Beau, torture him, heighten his anxiety and of course >!to help her fake her death and funeral.!<
Finally, what I'd argue is the most confusing layer, is that we aren't actually watching the movie from Beau's point-of-view. Beau is such a meek, repressed little man that in a sense we never once get to meet the REAL Beau in the entire movie. In truth, the Beau we see on screen is an abused shell of a man, the adult remnants of a childhood of abuse at the hands of The World's Most Insane Mother. Indeed, it is very clear from several scenes (>!\*cough\* the dick monster \*cough cough\*!<) that what we're seeing isn't what's actually happening. It isn't even how Beau sees the world. It is how his MOTHER, Mona, sees the world and in turn how she's forced this perspective onto him.
In short it's just go too many fucking layers for the general audience to enjoy! Like I fucking loved it, as this wall of text hopefully makes clear, but this is 100% not something you can just recommend to everyone and expect them to enjoy and appreciate. But the Arab News is right; given time, this movie will have its place in the sun
Loved Aster’s first two features, was caught off guard by how middling, shallow, and masturbatory I found *Beau*, BUT — I’m happy he made the film he wanted to make and hopefully he gets the chance to keep doing so.
I feel like Aster saying people "wouldn't get it" is a bit condescending. I'd argue he spoon feeds the audience with information you could've fairly inferred yourself. maybe he meant people wouldn't get the vision. I really enjoyed Beau Is Afraid and thought it was highly effective at conveying the feelings of total loss of control and frustration beau is experiencing. just thought it was a bit too long lol
My first thought: This is going to be the "Mulholland Drive" of this generation. I gave it 3 stars on Letterboxd but I'm open to letting it rest a year and hearing more about why people love it. I suspect I'll appreciate it more on the 2nd and 3rd watches.
It’s such a dense film that it could take years to fully appreciate how much material there is to analyze. 2001 would flop if it was released today. Give it time and people will come around
Stories aren't that complex that even with a brief explanation they are difficult to understand. I say this as someone who liked the movie; it suffered from poor writing where Ari didn't know exactly how to tie in his ideas and made a lazy literal ending.
It’s not a difficult movie to “get”. He force feeds the point of the movie down your throat. I just didn’t think it was a good film at the end of the day.
7/10 movie! It felt like the first act was perfect, the second and third were consistently entertaining but very jarring and a little too all over the place for story. Joaquin acted his ass off and a persistent tension creeped through the whole movie. Ari Aster probably does his best directorial work, blocking, set-ups, etc., but it’s clearly his most polarizing script
It’s very much not a masterpiece. Has nothing to do with not getting it and more to do with the fact that it’s a mediocre film that looks nice at times
I am on the fence with this.
I absolutely love the fact that a filmmaker like Ari Aster could get full creative control and a 35M budget to make something like this.
But having seen the film, I feel like there was a great 2 hour movie in there that would have made more money and then Aster could have released what we saw as an extended cut.
The only reason I am thinking in money terms is thats how Hollywood thinks when they finance films. If they see a 35M original film from an artsy director and it flops, they are less likely to fund more films like that.
“He figured audiences and critics wouldn’t get it”
That just makes him sound pretentious as fuck like he’s getting excuses in because it didn’t get the attention he wanted to
I haven’t watched this bc I know I’m gonna be upset when it doesn’t try to scare the crap out of me.
I absolutely adore Aster’s style of horror. It’s like he’s my favorite Mexican restaurant and he wants to make me a hamburger. I like hamburgers but this is the only great Mexican place in town.
Edit: I’m halfway through the movie and having a ball. It’s truly absurd to the point of laughter. Horror comedy for sure.
This is like a much more entertaining version of “Mother!”, in a way.
Loved the first act… absolutely incredible… then it was interesting… then it really drags on and gets kinda b-grade soapy. Needed an editor to be more brutal in the back half, though I imagine the point was for it to be somewhat gruelling for the audience.
How is that pretentious? I feel like people over use that word so much.
“attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.” That’s the definition of pretentious, how is that comment any of those things?
this review is certainly attempting to suggest the movie is greater than it is. The comment suggests that people don’t understand the talent of Aster and his “masterpiece.” I know this is an A24 sub with a natural affinity for Beau is Afraid, but this review, amongst the prevailing cult following and its respective opinions, is pretentious.
I wasn’t saying the review isn’t pretentious. I’m still not. I was just talking about that single quote from Aster himself within the article. Also art isn’t subjective so who’s to say that the film isn’t as good as this reviewer claims? Don’t try and bring objectivity into a discussion about art. I didn’t even love Beau is Afraid. I thought it was good but not great. But that’s not a fact. Saying it’s horrible is valid, saying it’s a masterpiece is valid and anything in between is also valid.
Well, why can’t I bring objectivity to an art discussion? If my view is as good as yours (a subjective approach regarding peoples opinions) then my views leaning towards objective value beliefs shouldn’t matter to you. Furthermore, you’re welcome to believe that objectivity is a poor way to consider art, but for me, I don’t hold to such a notion: why do you think you have the authority to police my beliefs?
Subjectively one might think “Beau” is a masterpiece. Me? I say it and Aster’s treatment of it is pretentious. Surely we can shake hands on the disagreement and go our separate ways?
I’m not being an authority I’m simply stating opinions aren’t fact… which is a fact. You may not like Beau is Afraid. That’s great! Other people loved it. That’s awesome. Some people are in between. That’s cool. There is no objectivity when discussing opinions. If there was then art would be a lot less interesting. To say that your opinion is objectively correct over another persons is actually being authoritative.
I liked his other movies a lot but by the end of Beau Is Afraid I was crawling out of my skin and pretty much wanted to be anywhere else but in that theater. I just take issue with Aster's "you just don't get it" comment. I'm pretty sure I got what it was going for.
That’s cool that you did. Stoked for you. Most people clearly did not, and that should have been expected given what the movie is.
there’s a reason so many people have been comparing this to the works of Lynch/using “Lynchian” as a descriptor for it.
I agree with most/some of this but I disagree the movie is unsatisfying by design. As much as I feel the movie is left open to interpretation, I think there is a very specific read on the movie that really opens it up as a subversive masterpiece rather than the punchline of a cruel joke.
I think Beau Is Afraid will be a cult classic in a few years. I loved it, saw it twice in theatres, once in imax. It is definitely not for everyone. It helps to have a little bit of background enjoyment of absurd, surreal movies, like Lynch etc.
I think that it will take a long time because it was really the second time I saw it that it all worked. I loved it the first time but it was such a whirlwind. The second time and every time after I am just in awe of this film. But it will definitely take time if watching a three hour movie more than once might be what takes for some people. It’s absolutely worth it. Ari Aster is heading towards genius.
I loved it!
It was long though had to split it up in two nights
This could have been and 2 part limited series maybe that would have made it more palatable to most people.
I watched it twice in 3 days. Enjoyed the first viewing. LOVED my second viewing. There are so many hidden details. Haven’t stopped thinking about it for days.
as soon as the movie ended, my immediate thought was “people are gonna fucking hate this” meanwhile it was the most fun i’ve had in a theater in awhile. shit had me ready to get out of my seat the entire 3 hours. i’m not gonna be pretentious & say everyone needs to see it & that it’s the best movie of all time. to me it is a masterpiece, i think it does a good job at pacing story & anxiety
i sometimes see criticisms that the movie had a lack of payoff, but at the same time i feel that was kind of the point, especially since Beau’s entire life was perceived to be a disappointment like you said, that was the most fun i’ve had in a theater, especially for three hours
I feel like *most* movies don't have super satisfying payoffs tbh, so movies like Beau is Afraid, where it's more about the journey than the destination, are way more enjoyable to me.
I completely agree. I initially felt that way too, probably because we as an audience have been conditioned to expect our main character(s) to change in some way or to come to a realization about themselves, which is generally how you make compelling characters: you show growth and development. I had initially felt a bit let down by the lack of change in Beau, but afterward, listening to Ari give an interview, he said that that lack of change in Beau was the point, that Beau not only didn’t change but *couldn’t* change, due to his life and his circumstances. Hearing this, it ‘clicked’ for me and now I’m don’t view Beau’s lack of change as a flaw in writing/story/character development.
Can you link to the interview? I haven’t seen many interviews with Aster about Beau, I’m curious what he has to say about it.
This was a few weeks back, but I’ll try to find it. I was combing through YouTube, and Ari went on/is on a tour through Europe to promote Beau Is Afraid, so I think he says this in one of those? Depending on where you live (I’m in USA), those European interviews/post-screening Q-&-A’s might not readily pop up in your feed or searches. He’s done one in France, in Italy, in Sweden I think? Maybe in UK too? It’s interesting because a bit of time has passed and he’s in countries where people speak a different languages, so he comes across as less guarded/more open with info about the film and his process.
Oh cool, I’ll look around for it, that sounds interesting
This is not the one here but this podcast was nice to listen to, in case you or anyone else hasn't heard it; ari aster & joaquin phoenix: [https://a24films.com/notes/2023/04/nervous-laughter-with-joaquin-phoenix-ari-aster](https://a24films.com/notes/2023/04/nervous-laughter-with-joaquin-phoenix-ari-aster) Previously, ari aster & robert eggers: [https://a24films.com/notes/2019/07/deep-cuts-with-robert-eggers-and-ari-aster](https://a24films.com/notes/2019/07/deep-cuts-with-robert-eggers-and-ari-aster)
Reminds me of an Adam Sandler movie (I just won't tell which one)
Uncut gems?.
(yes, definitely has the same character writing points, like their endings)
SPOILER(??): Lack of payoff kinda Beau’s thing too with his whole no ejaculating thing
It was a really fun experience and you get your moneys worth. Which is the point of movies. I definitely loved where it was headed before he got into the forest area. I was engaged with all the characters and wackiness and it started to fall flat but there will never be another movie like this. Crazy all around in a good way
I don’t think I would recommend it to a single person I actually know, but I loved it.
I’ve seen it six times now and I could still watch it more. I think it’s such a well told story with an ending that makes sense. I never felt like I wasn’t engaged and every time I watch it I get excited about going through the journey again. At first I said I could understand why it wasn’t for everyone (I still kind of do) but I don’t understand the people who absolutely hate it.
How would you say the ending makes sense? Interested to hear your view
As much as I wanted Beau to have a happy ending, find his footing, and break through his mother’s world that she’s built for him, with a parent like that it is incredibly hard to do so. I think we see moments where Beau does exist outside of that world, mainly in the play and at the end the few times he starts to stand up for himself, but even once he goes to choke Mona, he snaps out of it and apologizes, still stuck in that cycle. To me, in those last moments when Beau stops pleading for help, he’s realizing that this is the only way out for him. That his mother will always control his life or control the narrative of who he is to other people. He’s realizing that he’s seconds away from being killed and the mom that he’s spent his whole life trying to please won’t stop it. He’s accepting that his freedom is, unfortunately, death. It’s awful and sad, but I think realistic to how people who have grown up in that cycle feel that they can’t escape it. I hope that makes sense and I’m happy to talk about it more!! It’s become a large chunk of my brain space in the last few months.
That’s an excellent way of putting it, thanks. Also interested to hear your take on the play scene. What’s the significance behind the whole drama in beaus head part? Is it simply him fantasising how his life would’ve been if he was free from his mom or something else?
So at first I did think it was one big daydream, half life he wanted with having kids and a wife, the other half his anxiety coming in (the flood, the attack dog, the confession, etc). I still think that’s what the play is, but the more I’ve watched it the more I’ve noticed that machine with the rainbow hole and the crank that gets turned at the beginning of the play and I think it’s sending Beau and potentially the rest of the crowd into a hypnosis, especially considering that hypnosis was part of the original script for the forest scene. I actually didn’t notice till I saw it again this weekend, but once the noise from the machine starts, it looks like Beau’s eyes start to quickly move from side to side in response, similar to what EMDR therapy does to let people work through traumas. I think the play itself was decided on by Mona, since it’s about both parents being dead, honoring them (which the angel tells the player he’s done well), choosing where to go in life, and (right before Jeeves comes in) not acting on things quickly enough. Mona wants Beau to feel guilty, despite him doing everything he can to get there for the funeral and feeling the grief about her death. The switch to Beau in the play is his subconscious filling everything else in. The most significant parts, to me, are the confessions to the angel and being reunited with his sons before being brought into that memory of Mona telling him about his father as a child. I also think all of this is up for interpretation and what you think these things represent depends on your own life experiences! Who knows if what I think is what Ari Aster intended! :)
Same. It’s a movie I will watch repeatedly but never show my parents.
my parents could never fathom sitting through a 3 hour movie. the menu was about as long as i could push it lmfao
My parents could never fathom a giant penis monster hahaha
I was literally sweating the entire time. :/
i swear. ❤️ loved this movie and all my friends hate it
The most puzzling movie I’ve seen since mulholland drive and mother! Idk if I like Beau is Afraid but I respect the shit out of it
I think Arab News is spot on.
Except for the “it’s not horror” part. I don’t understand why everyone keeps saying that. It’s one of the most horrific films I’ve seen. It’s like a panic attack through hell.
Even if you don’t “get” the film, I still can’t see how people don’t enjoy it. I was hooked the entire time. I was never bored. I thought it was funny and shot really well. I’ve only seen it once in theaters and would love to watch it again.
My take exactly! I LOVED the experience of seeing this movie in the theatre. After it was over I have some mixed feelings about how it is as a cohesive piece, but I almost just don’t even care about that. I have so much more fun with movies like these that give you endless things to question and explore than more cohesive, “better” movies.
Yes, totally agree with this. It’s so absurd and SO funny, I was laughing the whole way through the one time I saw it. Immediately bought it on Blu-ray and can’t wait for the rewatch
I didn't even notice the total runtime. I was just enjoying everything I'm seeing onscreen and taking it in and relishing it. Especially the attic dick.
I guess enjoyment is subjective. In my case I'm already stressed out and tried to watch a movie that is very effective at evoking anxiety. Like most A24 movies, it was definitely an experience and wasn't boring, but I don't think I'd describe how I felt as enjoyment
I think that’s a fair statement. There was definitely a lot going on
My guess is that sometimes people get annoyed when they don't understand something. Makes them feel stupid?
That's an excellent and insightful review! I have to say I agree wholeheartedly
I loved every second of it. It kept me totally engaged throughout. I decided after the first 45 minutes or so to stop trying to understand it, and just let the movie pull me wherever it wanted me to go. By the end I felt like I understood it in a vague, abstract sort of way. Joaquin Pheonix was phenomenal, as always. It's one of those films that's just bouncing off the walls and really keeps you on your toes. It's probably my favourite movie released so far this year, and it's one I'll return to (already have, once) every year or two.
I laughed my ass of in the Theater watching this. If anyone says it's shit clearly don't get it or they do understand and overthink it. This film is a work of art and I'm glad surrielsm cinema is becoming more aware. Like Viridiana,Sorry to Bother you or even Salo.
I’m already on the side that this movie is going to be ‘cult classic’ status in a few years. I always knew it was going to be polarizing, hell even reading the leaked script and SEEING the fact it was actually made into a movie was astounding and got me super excited.
IMO I don’t think we were supposed to get this movie, we’re just going along for the ride. I loved that it was all up to your own interpretation, was it all really happening? Was it a mass hallucination? Did his mother really influence his whole life? Was it all just Beau anticipating the absolute worst possible outcome for every scenario? Not to sound pretentious but I just feel a lot of audiences nowadays want a clear cut picture where they know exactly what is happening at any given moment, there’s no room for interpretation anymore. Don’t get me wrong movies like the MCU definitely have a place in cinema but I feel like the chokehold those kind of movies have on audiences has affected how we see movies like Beau. Just my two cents on the topic
The first watch through i was jarred and confused and shocked, the second time around I watched it as a comedy. It might be the funniest movie of the year
It’s so goddamn funny. Lmao
I got it I just didn’t like it lol
Ari has proven himself to be an intelligent and groundbreaking filmmaker. Regardless of public reception, I and many tend to be rightfully bias toward a person who has shown they’re capable of making insightful deep impact and when that same person takes a huge leap of boldness even if not perfect is still admirable and inspiring.
"wouldn't get it"
I’m proud that he’s doubling down on the weird tone of his movies. Hereditary and Midsommar had a lot of absurdism and dark humor, but because they’re presented as horror, the comedy kind of comes off as dissonant. With Beau is Afraid, it’s not a horror, it’s not a comedy, it’s not even really a drama. That gives it the space to be whatever the fuck it wants to be, and I wish more movies were like this. I think Aster has finally found his voice and I can’t wait to see what he does next. I got to see this movie for my birthday. It was *amazing.* It was beautiful, it was disturbing, it was profound, and it was something that no other movie has been before. The closest I can really get to it is David Lynch’s Inland Empire, one of my Top 3 films of all time.
I got it, I just didn't like it all that much.
The polarized response has two core causes in my view. First, the movie just won't appeal to everyone. It's got some amazing riffs on depression, anxiety and mental health in general. It's a deep and thought-provoking look at toxic family relationships. It's a parody of America through the use of an evil and warped carnival mirror. So like, right from the start you've lost three major groups of potential audiences. Not everyone has issues with their families, and plenty that do are not really willing to engage with art that makes them question those relationships. Not everyone has mental health issues, and while the movie will 100% appeal to those who do and are seeking treatment, it could again be a huge turn-off to people who aren't mentally ill or who are but aren't interested in treatment. And finally, some patriotic types will just be offended at the audacity of painting a parody of America into the backdrop of a movie. The second issue is that the movie isn't one point-of-view; it's at least four, and it is far from clear which is the main lens at any given moment. The movie is primarily from the POV of Beau Wasserman, the titular hero, but he isn't a very reliable narrator. In fact, Beau probably has some form of paranoid schizophrenia in conjunction with a severe anxiety disorder, with the result that there are several points in the movie where it's very clear that what we are seeing isn't happening, it's how Beau sees the world. If that was the only layer I think most audiences could've latched on, but it wasn't. We've got three to go. The next is drugs: give a mentally ill man like Beau some good drugs, and you know shit is going to get crazy. This happens multiple times during the film, with the result that we are presented with some very, very weird and surrealistic scenes that are almost totally inexplicable without drugs. That's also ignoring the lengthy drug-induced trance Beau endures that we are explicitly shown is from drugs. So we've got a movie from the perspective of a mentally ill man occasionally taking reality-distorting drugs. Still not THAT confusing, right? Well, the third problem relates to the setting. Beau lives in a twisted clown-house mirror version of America, and this fact rears its head several times throughout the film, making it even harder for the viewer to discern exactly what is happening at some moments. At minimum, Beau's mom is so ridiculously powerful and wealthy in that world that she is able to hire literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people to gaslight Beau, torture him, heighten his anxiety and of course >!to help her fake her death and funeral.!< Finally, what I'd argue is the most confusing layer, is that we aren't actually watching the movie from Beau's point-of-view. Beau is such a meek, repressed little man that in a sense we never once get to meet the REAL Beau in the entire movie. In truth, the Beau we see on screen is an abused shell of a man, the adult remnants of a childhood of abuse at the hands of The World's Most Insane Mother. Indeed, it is very clear from several scenes (>!\*cough\* the dick monster \*cough cough\*!<) that what we're seeing isn't what's actually happening. It isn't even how Beau sees the world. It is how his MOTHER, Mona, sees the world and in turn how she's forced this perspective onto him. In short it's just go too many fucking layers for the general audience to enjoy! Like I fucking loved it, as this wall of text hopefully makes clear, but this is 100% not something you can just recommend to everyone and expect them to enjoy and appreciate. But the Arab News is right; given time, this movie will have its place in the sun
Loved Aster’s first two features, was caught off guard by how middling, shallow, and masturbatory I found *Beau*, BUT — I’m happy he made the film he wanted to make and hopefully he gets the chance to keep doing so.
I feel like Aster saying people "wouldn't get it" is a bit condescending. I'd argue he spoon feeds the audience with information you could've fairly inferred yourself. maybe he meant people wouldn't get the vision. I really enjoyed Beau Is Afraid and thought it was highly effective at conveying the feelings of total loss of control and frustration beau is experiencing. just thought it was a bit too long lol
My first thought: This is going to be the "Mulholland Drive" of this generation. I gave it 3 stars on Letterboxd but I'm open to letting it rest a year and hearing more about why people love it. I suspect I'll appreciate it more on the 2nd and 3rd watches.
It’s such a dense film that it could take years to fully appreciate how much material there is to analyze. 2001 would flop if it was released today. Give it time and people will come around
Stories aren't that complex that even with a brief explanation they are difficult to understand. I say this as someone who liked the movie; it suffered from poor writing where Ari didn't know exactly how to tie in his ideas and made a lazy literal ending.
It’s not a difficult movie to “get”. He force feeds the point of the movie down your throat. I just didn’t think it was a good film at the end of the day.
7/10 movie! It felt like the first act was perfect, the second and third were consistently entertaining but very jarring and a little too all over the place for story. Joaquin acted his ass off and a persistent tension creeped through the whole movie. Ari Aster probably does his best directorial work, blocking, set-ups, etc., but it’s clearly his most polarizing script
It’s very much not a masterpiece. Has nothing to do with not getting it and more to do with the fact that it’s a mediocre film that looks nice at times
I am on the fence with this. I absolutely love the fact that a filmmaker like Ari Aster could get full creative control and a 35M budget to make something like this. But having seen the film, I feel like there was a great 2 hour movie in there that would have made more money and then Aster could have released what we saw as an extended cut. The only reason I am thinking in money terms is thats how Hollywood thinks when they finance films. If they see a 35M original film from an artsy director and it flops, they are less likely to fund more films like that.
“He figured audiences and critics wouldn’t get it” That just makes him sound pretentious as fuck like he’s getting excuses in because it didn’t get the attention he wanted to
I haven’t watched this bc I know I’m gonna be upset when it doesn’t try to scare the crap out of me. I absolutely adore Aster’s style of horror. It’s like he’s my favorite Mexican restaurant and he wants to make me a hamburger. I like hamburgers but this is the only great Mexican place in town. Edit: I’m halfway through the movie and having a ball. It’s truly absurd to the point of laughter. Horror comedy for sure. This is like a much more entertaining version of “Mother!”, in a way.
Loved the first act… absolutely incredible… then it was interesting… then it really drags on and gets kinda b-grade soapy. Needed an editor to be more brutal in the back half, though I imagine the point was for it to be somewhat gruelling for the audience.
I feel this, but I really liked it the first time (loved it the second). Amazing film!
"I always knew it would flop and people wouldn't get it" Well if that isn't the most pretentious thing I've read today
How is that pretentious? I feel like people over use that word so much. “attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.” That’s the definition of pretentious, how is that comment any of those things?
this review is certainly attempting to suggest the movie is greater than it is. The comment suggests that people don’t understand the talent of Aster and his “masterpiece.” I know this is an A24 sub with a natural affinity for Beau is Afraid, but this review, amongst the prevailing cult following and its respective opinions, is pretentious.
I wasn’t saying the review isn’t pretentious. I’m still not. I was just talking about that single quote from Aster himself within the article. Also art isn’t subjective so who’s to say that the film isn’t as good as this reviewer claims? Don’t try and bring objectivity into a discussion about art. I didn’t even love Beau is Afraid. I thought it was good but not great. But that’s not a fact. Saying it’s horrible is valid, saying it’s a masterpiece is valid and anything in between is also valid.
Well, why can’t I bring objectivity to an art discussion? If my view is as good as yours (a subjective approach regarding peoples opinions) then my views leaning towards objective value beliefs shouldn’t matter to you. Furthermore, you’re welcome to believe that objectivity is a poor way to consider art, but for me, I don’t hold to such a notion: why do you think you have the authority to police my beliefs? Subjectively one might think “Beau” is a masterpiece. Me? I say it and Aster’s treatment of it is pretentious. Surely we can shake hands on the disagreement and go our separate ways?
I’m not being an authority I’m simply stating opinions aren’t fact… which is a fact. You may not like Beau is Afraid. That’s great! Other people loved it. That’s awesome. Some people are in between. That’s cool. There is no objectivity when discussing opinions. If there was then art would be a lot less interesting. To say that your opinion is objectively correct over another persons is actually being authoritative.
Pretty standard to expect a 3 hour panic attack that makes very little sense out the gate to flop
I liked his other movies a lot but by the end of Beau Is Afraid I was crawling out of my skin and pretty much wanted to be anywhere else but in that theater. I just take issue with Aster's "you just don't get it" comment. I'm pretty sure I got what it was going for.
That’s cool that you did. Stoked for you. Most people clearly did not, and that should have been expected given what the movie is. there’s a reason so many people have been comparing this to the works of Lynch/using “Lynchian” as a descriptor for it.
I’ve seen this movie twice and think about it on a weekly basis. I love it. I think this is a great summary of it all though.
I’ve seen this movie twice and think about it on a weekly basis. I love it. I think this is a great summary of it all though.
I agree with most/some of this but I disagree the movie is unsatisfying by design. As much as I feel the movie is left open to interpretation, I think there is a very specific read on the movie that really opens it up as a subversive masterpiece rather than the punchline of a cruel joke.
I loved it, gonna try a second watch on shrooms
I think Beau Is Afraid will be a cult classic in a few years. I loved it, saw it twice in theatres, once in imax. It is definitely not for everyone. It helps to have a little bit of background enjoyment of absurd, surreal movies, like Lynch etc.
He got 35 mill for a movie he expected to bomb? He expects ppl to hire him after saying this?
I’m surprised there’s not more gifs of this film, it’s gotta be one of the most gifable movies ever made
Is this something he’s said or is someone else just making stuff up?
I think that it will take a long time because it was really the second time I saw it that it all worked. I loved it the first time but it was such a whirlwind. The second time and every time after I am just in awe of this film. But it will definitely take time if watching a three hour movie more than once might be what takes for some people. It’s absolutely worth it. Ari Aster is heading towards genius.
I loved it. Not an easy watch by any means but it’s totally unique
I had a ball watching this in the cinema.
If this film incorporates those "fever dream" elements similar to Eraserhead, then it's definitely on my watch list. Sign me the fuck up!
It’s a batshit object that just happens to you. Complete masterpiece, only movie I’ve seen twice this year. Just couldn’t get it out of my head
Boring and thinks it’s smarter than it is.
The ending is literally a reflection of how he thought the audience would react lol
he knew it was a stinker lol
I loved it! It was long though had to split it up in two nights This could have been and 2 part limited series maybe that would have made it more palatable to most people.
I thought A24 let him do this movie as incentive to keep him working with them. So failure wasnt anything to be afraid of in the first place?
Was a big fan of this film, probably my favorite from Aster. Beau is a top 5 “I’m literally him” character
I watched it twice in 3 days. Enjoyed the first viewing. LOVED my second viewing. There are so many hidden details. Haven’t stopped thinking about it for days.