Beau Is Afraid - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews Beau Is Afraid, starring Joaquin Pheonix, Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, Parker Posey, Michael Gandolfini, Patti LuPone, Zoe Lister-Jones, Stephen McKinley Henderson. Directed by Ari Aster.

[@lernernernerdicarpricorn9297]

I’ve been telling my friends that this movie feels like listening to someone describing their nightmare and that is what I love about it

[@vicvinegar2067]

Good call

[@UncleFiggy]

Ive been telling my friends it's like a portal into a 3 hour fever dream

[@Padraigp]

Uh...i thought it looked like some m lam shambalam bs. Or that movie where everyone sang oklahoma at the end with bad wrinkles drawn on them. Ugh. Hate those movies. Unless its david lynch of course. Lol!

[@BellaSwan18]

This is like being trapped in an anxiety spiral. Like. Holy shit.

[@CarlyCatharsis]

@@laymanlinguist Or Rather Having A Psychotic & Sociopathic Mother Who Dictates EVERY Single Point Of Your ENTIRE EXISTENCE!!

[@nonametofame]

The movie simply does not work without Phoenix's complete dedication to the concept. The man is a cinematic treasure

[@eugenew6717]

😂

[@dylanbutts1628]

The movie simply does not work

[@myles6235]

See I think the exact opposite. Pheonix's outstanding talent makes the audience want to take the film seriously, when not even the director is. It could've been soooo good, Aster just throws it all away towards the end to be quirky. The movie didn't work because of Pheonix's dedication.

[@walnutjosiah2119]

@@dylanbutts1628 why ?

[@dylanbutts1628]

@@walnutjosiah2119 I thought it was disjointed and bad. Good first half. And then it completely lost me. The third act is too long. And I HATE the army character. The movie felt like a rick and morty episode by the end- not profound in anyway whatsoever. Just because a movie is different, doesn't make it good. Midsummer was unique and different- but it had a plot, themes, messages and character development. All of which this movie lacks.

[@thomasgraham4821]

Definitely one of the wildest movie theater experiences I’ve ever had.

[@DoctorXander]

I was one of 6 people at my screening and only 2 of us left by the end

[@josefdenis3799]

It's a pile of shit tbh

[@gingerbred2533]

And one of the worst. This movie is like if AquaTeen Hunger Force and BadBoy Bubby had a baby. What a night mare.

[@sprangbrake5938]

People said they lost the plot at the 3rd part (the play in the forest), but that was the deepest introspection for me, he fantasized the life he wanted to live and the struggles he would have to make to achieve that

[@Reb3nga]

For me that was the most straight forward sequence of the whole film indeed

[@kato093]

I don't think it has anything to do with that part or it's quality. To me it just became boring and uninteresting at that point. I actually started skipping parts and the movie picked up when he got back but holy shit, WHAT THE FUCK Was that ending? I was on board the whole 1st act and after the incident, which made it even intriguing given the clues and how the daughter and mother behaved, as if he was ACTUALLY the adopted brother, while the mother behaved as if he was like being tried for some crime and they were testing him because of some personality disorder and disassociation? But then the forest part starts which grinds the movie to a complete stop, a literal side quest. They forgot that he was in a hurry. It went off the rails for some stupid artsy fartsy introspection because it's DEEEEP and stupid shit like that. And then the fuckin ending. Fuck me that was...i got nothing. That 3rd act was the biggest nothing burger i have ever seen. I have nothing to say about it besides... WHAT? 3 goddamn hours and the finale is like a lucid dream that I'm gonna forget in 5 minutes because it means nothing just like any random dream. It's not even worth analyzing because it's just random shit with some really small puddles of depth here and there. It's like having a stupid random dream and you see water cuz you have to pee and some tentacles cuz you ate squid. Nothing deep or revelatory, just basic psychology like beau was kinda abused by his overbearing mother. Whoopedy doo, I'm a genius film critic because I got the very basics of psychology through stupid images in a movie that makes absolutely no sense from a storytelling perspective. Whoever doesn't like it is just too stupid to understand the intricacy of such an artistic introspection into the male psyche through the lens of the motherly love and no male energy during a child's development.. What a bunch of random ass pseudo intellectual garbage. All I can say is that Ari ester overshot spectacularly. He is not that guy. He should stick to very basic but beautifully shot and amazingly acted movies. I fucking HATED midsommar and this movie is kinda bad in an unoffensive kind of way, it's just too far. Hereditary was amazing with amazing acting from all parties. The acting carried the movie with the scenes of the mother whailing and the brother during the death of the sister in the car. 9.3/10 Midsommar was atrocious and so fkn DUMB, with no amazing acting to carry it, weird for weird sake but still basic 3/10 Beau is afraid is a fkn trip, a bad trip. It's like someone that was too high wrote the script. high in a bad way. Someone fried his brain by taking LSD for decades and thinks every single weird ass phrase is genius introspection when it's just ramblings of someone that took so many drugs that they don't even make any sense. 4.5/10

[@Reshoots]

@@kato093 I like when people note other movies they also don't like, so I can ignore their opinion of the movie they're currently talking about, too. : D

[@jacobcardinal8041]

@@kato093The trial scene was amazing.

[@theschafershow]

That wasn’t the third act

[@chrismayes9816]

Among many, many other things, I thought it was a really horrifying portrayal of successful gaslighting, where Beau really internalizes guilt about things over which he mostly has not control, like his anxiety. Hit really hard for me.

[@randomassperson101]

the very end of the movie made me tear up because it felt so relatable

[@myles6235]

I agree, I just felt too much plot inconsistencies and too little explanation about what the fuck is going on leads audiences to take away "what the fuck" before taking away "that was a really good portrayal of mental illness and the effect of words on one's mind". I was thinking this exact thing until a massive phallus monster abruptly threw me off entirely.

[@lewispoll4409]

@@myles6235 spot on!

[@MoleyRusselsWart_]

I didn’t think there were plot issues at all, although some of the details require a second viewing to work out their significance.

[@myles6235]

@@MoleyRusselsWart_ So how do you explain the transition from the first act to the second. It's clear that the party in his apartment didn't really happen as it makes no sense for all of the imaginary criminals to all pour into his specific apartment and we see him surfing the web on the monitor with the shoe through it. But the plot of the movie revolves around him being naked in the bath, the guy falling on him, and him running out frantically and getting hit by Grace and Dr. Cohen's van. To me this is a very big plot issue. The direction of the plot necessitates the events in his apartment being reality and not some schizophrenic hallucination. I think your comment highlights another huge problem with the film. No one will voluntarily watch that shit show another time. It was far, FAR too long for a movie with so little actually going on.

[@ryancreevy308]

This movie felt like an Eric Andre skit combined with schizophrenia and I loved it so much

[@John-zm4xl]

Right! It was so funny but the audience I was with wasn’t laughing

[@waverlyking6045]

Eric Andre was great as a crooked Megachurch pastor in The Righteous Gemstones.

[@justinjones2601]

Going to see it tonight and this comment got me even more excited about seeing it lol

[@dylankurtz8423]

Want to see it so bad but it's not playing anywhere near me yet, Eric Andre is my idol

[@MoleyRusselsWart_]

@@John-zm4xl I think some people don’t get satire, which is totally fine, it wasn’t made for those people at the end of the day.

[@andthecaseofthe2747]

As someone with anxiety and a not so great relationship with their late mother, I found this both cathartic and emotional. I cried at the end.

[@walterwhite1]

Take ur meds creep

[@alexsilva28]

I related to Beau more than I am comfortable admitting

[@sorrynotsorryyyyy]

How ? Cuz the demon died ? I don't understand why you cried. Or do i

[@brockobama257]

Me too! Not the exact situation and I didn’t cry but I walked home in disbelief giving myself a 3rd person therapy session. The system of his mom giving love on the condition that he reciprocates hit hard for me. Ari Aster had no business going that hard

[@PrecociousFriand]

This is what it's like having a Jewish mother and why I'm dead inside

[@katevogel6008]

I am positive this was the most insane film I’ve ever seen 😂 screaming, crying, throwing up and laughing so hard. Joaquin was amazing.

[@PrecociousFriand]

I was kind of gagged when a reviewer called his performance one-note throughout.

[@jordanloux3883]

The movie left me feeling how an Aster film should: confused, uncomfortable, with my head spinning and not sure if I want to see it again, but knowing I saw something made with passion and love. It really did feel like every paranoid thought I've ever had ramped up to 11 and it really put some things into perspective.

[@kaitlynr9271]

Same!

[@sarahpavri]

I agree with this 100%

[@RichD2024]

This synopsis sounds brilliant. I dated someone who had constant panic attacks and anxiety and her psychologist once Sat me down and described how she sees the world as if we were living in Jurassic Park and there were dinosaurs waiting to eat us at ever corner. This seems to encapsulate that idea well and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[@LuisSierra42]

Haha, that perfectly describes my default state of mind

[@population-_-420]

Is she available? She sounds like my type

[@leonardohenrique5172]

@@population-_-420 nah dude, unless you are like her, run!

[@NickNishikiyama]

Hope there doing better now! That sounds horrifying, nobody deserves to live like that.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

As someone who has anxiety that comparison sounds accurate. What's funny is that when shit really hits the fan I'm the calmest in the room because I'm used to chaos, I would have fun at Jurassic Park.

[@Crystals10000]

I went into this movie without even watching a single trailer/having no expectations and i was blown away,on the edge of my seat and mildly disturbed for the full run time and i loved it so much

[@user-eg2wt1xj2t]

This is one of the few "crazy movie that I don't understand" that I actually love watching. Underneath all the craziness there's still a sense of emotion carries me all the way.

[@lockekappa500]

Yup. It was so wild, and so out of this world, but still made you feel like you were right there keeping up no matter what he threw at you. Not an easy feat.

[@bruhmomento6691]

The more polarizing this movie gets, the more I want to watch it. I’m so excited!

[@DARTHNEWS]

Have fun wasting 3 hours of your life. Thank me when you're done

[@simonbennett6202]

​@@DARTHNEWS yeah that's what someone told me about another movie that lasted almost 3 hours, BEST SHIT I'VE SEEN. I don't trust anyone anymore

[@jens2049]

Same

[@bruhmomento6691]

@@DARTHNEWS that’s the spirit, lil bro! Your comment is already hyping me up!

[@ambatuBUHSURK]

@@DARTHNEWS get a goombotomy

[@charlieboy1087]

I finally saw it earlier this week and I cannot decide if I love it or hate it but I think it’s a true work of art either way. What a brilliant portrayal of anxiety and trauma at the hands of a narcissistic abuser and how it follows you through your life. I can never recommend this movie to anyone

[@canishma]

Audience reaction alone makes it worth the trip to the theater. Never have I sat at a showing with so many ‘what the fuck?’s and such a range of laughter.

[@Lexyvil]

I love movies like these where you can't tell which scenes are him hallucinating and which ones are at least close to what those he interacts with actually experiences.

[@benwasserman8223]

Ari Aster excels at terrifying his audience without making it seem like he’s trying too hard.

[@heavybattle6650]

Lol, quite the opposite, he fails at terrifying audiences precisely because he tries so hard and throws everything but the kitchen's sink at them.

[@LuisSierra42]

@@heavybattle6650 Not really, I've felt like Hereditary and Midsommar are in fact very subtle with their horror elements. Midsommar is even shot in bright sunlight in contrast with the majority of other horror films which are very dark. You could even think they are more drama than horror

[@bruhmomento6691]

@@LuisSierra42 💯💯

[@greggibson33]

@@heavybattle6650 100% agree... exact opposite. Aster isn't as smart as he thinks he is. He tries wayyyy to hard to make the audience 'get it'. And when we do get it... there's not much there to get.

[@heavybattle6650]

@@LuisSierra42 You gotta be fucking kidding me. Hereditary is SUBTLE!? The film which by the halfway mark shows a little girl cutting off the head of a dead pigeon, a smiling naked ghost in a cellar, a little girl dying while suffocating then getting her head taken off by a pole while in a speeding car, a mother screaming I want to die and a "lovely shot" of a little girl's head on the side of the road, swarmed by ants and ALL of that is before the film's mid-point? That is subtle horror? :D :D Compare that to the Sixth Sense where you don't even see a monster until the child's confession. That is what subtlety looks like. Not coming up with a million visual tortures and tragedies, throwing them at the audience and hoping they will take it seriously just because they happened in a short span of film time.

[@DKZK21]

I love that this movie is self-indulgent. It's always refreshing to get something that feels uncompromised by the realities of film production, and even if that thought is ultimately an illusion, it is one he pulls off expertly.

[@carolineyuen3247]

Even if I don’t like a film, I still respect it more if it’s a creative work from the heart rather than another cookie cutter cgi crap fest.

[@michaelmcclelland9876]

The over-indulgence is also fitting, perfectly simulating paranoid schizophrenia; You BECOME Beau... 😲😨🤯

[@hollandscottthomas]

Yeah, i would 1000% describe this as self-indulgent, but that’s what makes it work. There’s a specificity of vision that, while I think it runs a full hour longer than it needs to, is really just mesmerizing to behold in a way that is so rare. And for a relatively small budget too! Gives me big hope for absolutely wild indie projects in the future.

[@RoboJules]

This film was like a horrifying ayahuasca trip that broke my conditioning and integrated my shadow. It was not just a movie, but cinematic shamanism. The plot is not to be taken literally, but psychologically. From that perspective, it's about how one's inner child is wounded by the neurosis of a devouring mother. The only solution to this kind of pain is to let the inner child die so that we can grow up. The mother is not the true antagonist of the film, but Beau himself, who is unable to let go of his trauma. It's a film about the messy process of self-overcoming and ego death, and that's why I feel it had an absolutely perfect ending. That said, I can also see why those who haven't gone through this kind of experience wouldn't like this movie.

[@Martinus777]

That’s a great description. As a Jungian psychotherapist myself (and also someone with a complex relationship with my mother, to put it mildly) I loved the film.

[@Midwestemoisme]

looking at the movie with the perspective that it’s beau’s ego death, mom crying n everything, it makes so much sense

[@carterbeamish6612]

The movie sucked

[@glottis8]

dude, pass the weaponized hallucinogen you smoked.

[@bigsistahtips]

I understood it this way too. The closer he gets to the mother, the more he regresses so it’s only by killing the wounded child is that he can grow up. That’s why the lawyer dies. Because when you’re at your lowest, no one’s coming. It’s only you and your demons.

[@IceCreamJones57]

Without seeing the movie.. this is one of my fave reviews done by Chris ever. The unsettledness bleeds through the screen & makes me wanna see Beau is afraid more than I already did

[@jens2049]

Same

[@nuckygulliver9607]

he doesn't understand the movie at all. Example: the scene he talks about where the cop isn't listening. Chris thinks it's Beau's faulty perspective and the cop isn't really doin that. That's the opposite of the spirit of the movie. The cop is really doing that and life is really like that sometimes. People often don't listen at all. They hear only what they think they hear. This is only obvious to people that maybe see past the media lies? Our World;d is kafkaesque. This was a kafkaesque movie.

[@DoctaSalt]

Saw it last night, definitely not for general audiences, but I think some people will really love this movie

[@nova3752]

When your head is so far up your buns can you even tell what general audiences like?

[@QuestNation3221]

Yes pretentious people will enjoy it!

[@ScottyBMakin]

@@QuestNation3221 that makes no sense, but ironically that was quite a pretentious comment.

[@mhd1442]

​@@QuestNation3221 Your comment makes literally zero sense.

[@system0fadowner251]

​@@QuestNation3221 the irony of your comment can't be lost on you right😂 only the most pretentious fucks think their opinion on a movie somehow makes them levitate above everyone else

[@ebuzone218]

I, myself, being a person who suffers from severe panic and anxiety attacks, am very interested in watching Ari Asters latest opus. Huge fan of his films.

[@ambatuBUHSURK]

I just love how his movies have accumulated so much contrarian like blinding hatred. People have really gotten comfortable with trash horror tropes and formulaic garbage that everytime someone tries something different people have a stroke in the comments. Makes me love his movies even more.

[@aditya42884]

May these problems go away soon for you ..

[@Eidlones]

It basically comes down to people acting odd/threatening, acting like he did something that he has no memory of/we aren't shown, and not explaining weird things that happen. Loved his first 2 films, this was... pretty lame, to me. I also have anxiety, and I find it weird that other people found that this movie about anxiety, made them anxious. While I'm sitting there just fine. I wouldn't classify this movie as a horror at all.

[@ebuzone218]

@@aditya42884 Thank you so much.

[@bloomsux69]

I can’t say I have constant panic attacks, but I do have constant anxiety. I feel like there’s danger at every turn and if I let my guard down for 5 minutes, I feel as if something awful is going to happen, and then my guard is back up. It’s exhausting living through a world where you’re just scared of every possible worst case scenario. Needless to say, I was tremendously moved by this movie. It just made sense to me.

[@CHarr1991]

Without having seen the film, but judging from so many online pundits, I firmly believe Ari Aster is in a lane of his own. Hereditary is one of my favorite films of all time; Midsommar was one of the most disturbing/chaotic theater experiences for me. I love this man. He’s passed Alex Garland, Eggers, and Peele as my favorite “indie” director…Stuckman could barely find a way to talk about this, but you can still see his joy and mystery about seeing the movie. How do these directors do this!? I love when have a filmmaker who just demands conversation…Ari Aster has the best instincts it feels; he’s from that same camp of M. Night, Aronofsky, Lynch, and even some Damon Lindelof. I love how these people build sense characters and worlds. Anyone have other recommendations? Great review, Chris! Can’t wait to check this out

[@Doood692]

Def check out Nathan Fielders work if you haven’t. His comedy and mockumentary style is way out there. I met him at the Beau is Afraid premier.

[@laurenholloway7513]

i like this comment but m. night is nowhere near the same league as these other filmmakers 😭

[@doc8013]

Glad you included Lindelof. His work on The Leftovers is truly some of the most cathartically enriching content I've ever seen. So powerful in so many different ways.

[@sator_project]

I loved it, it was a masterpiece, I would not recommend it to anyone.

[@TonyAurum]

Honestly, I can’t wait to watch this. It just excites me that someone is making big bold choices still in Hollywood. Whether I end up loving it or hating it, I’m just glad it was actually made during an era where there are less auteur directors.

[@Clint_Timbuck]

You just gonna let the government treat us this way!?? Back in my day we would whoop ass we'd bang eachothers butts if someone got out of line

[@timothyxxxpaul]

It’s so damn good. Might go a second time to watch it tbh

[@timothyxxxpaul]

@@normalstreet1 whatever they are I hope they don’t change their philosophy of bold original movies

[@jculver1674]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that in this day and age, offbeat filmmakers like Ari Aster and Robert Eggers are getting reasonably large budgets to tell their stories the way they want to?

[@ssusggus]

You’ve spoiled it knowing so much about it now lol the fun was not knowing

[@firstlast9846]

*I feel like A24* is carrying cinema on its back rn 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@brianmccarten1361]

Absolutely. Marvel killed cinema for a while but now every time they put something out I know I get to see something completely original.

[@Dukeybookey]

I love how you Highlighted the “I FEEL LIKE” as if you are the first person saying this, definitely not piggy backing off other youtube comments of all things for some reason.

[@gaseredtune5284]

Definitely cornering the market on satanic movies.

[@Jsnwrd]

They also make a lot of shit

[@jonsitoa]

Ok

[@ADBProductions_]

I loved this film was one of the best theater experiences I've had in a while. The character that really stuck out to me was his mom. She was so terrifying even from the very first phone call they had in the beginning

[@callen3570]

His mum is fucking terrifying.

[@netero6751]

Nah this movie wasnt it they dragged it on too long

[@rycub3d]

the first 2 acts of this movie are the most terrifyingly accurate depictions of a bad psychedelic trip i have ever seen… it was making me so uncomfortable. that being said, i loved this film and think it’s absolutely brilliant.

[@ferbious9178]

I absolutely loved this movie. Ari aster is probably my favorite filmmaker working today and I love the aspects of his art that forces the audience to participate in giving it meaning. I understand how this could be seen as highly pretentious and self indulgent, but I believe that Ari was well aware of that and included all sorts of abstract meta commentary that addressed it in a profound way. I think that while Beau is Afraid does convey what it’s like to be extremely anxious in the world, it also depicts the levels of paranoia associated with showing your entire mind and life to an audience through your art. That’s what I took away from my first viewing at least.

[@jamielane8696]

In a time where Hollywood is afraid to take risks and announces sequels, reboots, remakes and live action adaptations of already established IPs, it's a sigh of relief that a movie like this got even made. Listening to the review, i believe this was a self indulgent movie and I'm glad A24 gave Ari Aster the chance to make it. I'm totally fine watching movies that are weird and don't make sense half of the time. I'm not sure how the performance of this movie in the box office and it's reception is going to influence the other studios to take similar risks, but hey Hollywood will be all the more better for it. Originality needs to come back strong.

[@AntonioGarcia-kx4ph]

Yes exactly how I felt, well said

[@TimoCruz177]

its because I'm not even sure A24 will keep taking risks like this, The Northman also bombed at the box office and imo is a phenomenal movie now this one also doesn't seem to be performing very well. I hope they don't give up on proper cinema and leave the mediocre reboots and remakes to sony and disney

[@kaylons]

I think A24 might come out of this fine. If you know KZbin filmmakers at all, you know that RackaRacka made a horror film, A24 bought the rights to it, and it's coming out this month! Everyone's hype for it. Other than that, they have their television department and membership thing (which is p fkin stupid, even for A24), they have deals with Apple, and they do make bank off VOD as well soooo... they might be fine but it is a valid concern. A24 wouldn't have released this movie if they didn't have contingencies for it at all.

[@MicahMicahel]

Hollywood movies are like they were written by AI.. Marvel movies have no originality or surprise.most movies nowadays are formula. Its nice too escape formula. We have to many formula movies made. We don't need even another one made.

[@SilentLulamoon]

Why are you guys pretending like A24 is taking risks and saving cinema with super original content? They have found their niche, it just so happens that you are part of their niche.

[@noahlenzi]

My girlfriend has OCD and deals with intrusive thoughts and anxiety daily. This movie was practically therapy for her. Once it was over she was like, "yeah, that's pretty much the noise I experience in my head." I think it put the whole thing in in perspective for me. I just have ADHD an thought it was fucking hilarious. Takes your deepest darkest social fears and makes you realize how ridiculous they are. Ari Aster might have some serious mommy issues though.

[@AntoniTolwinski]

Love this comment!

[@bigsistahtips]

I agree. He repeated that from hereditary.

[@gloriajean6653]

I felt exactly the same.

[@LetterBeginning]

Literally YIKES.

[@reaperiwk7555]

I literally just got back from the theater, it was such a surreal, psychedelic, funny, horrifying trip into madness, and i loved it. You are correct, we will never get a film like this... ever.

[@milesdorst7120]

I watched this film, walked out of the theater, and immediately turned my phone on and watched this review, still in somewhat of a fugue state. Chris is absolutely correct, go watch this movie, but be prepared to say some variation of “what the actual fuck is going on?” approximately 1,000 times 😂 Ari Aster if you’re watching this please make more movies, people need to be challenged sometimes with movies, this one is nothing short of challenging and it’s absolutely delightful

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your reviews chris! Been binging them! Keep up the great work!

[@ThisisDaniel]

I just left the cinema and feeling awestruck by what I experienced. So much nuance to the whole thing, and a lot of thought-provoking moments. Definitely left me feeling uneasy, guilty and inspired.

[@bmljenny]

Honestly I feel hopeful that the success of Everything Everywhere will encourage more studios to greenling “crazy” projects.

[@Pinkdayze]

This film brought me back to a time when I also struggled with major anxiety through very similar ways expressed in the movie and was incredibly impressed over how accurate the many layers and forms anxiety takes on someone and how it affects others. I wouldn't say it is one of my favorite movies but it will definitely be one of the most memorable.

[@shubo4478]

Why is Beau afraid? It doesn’t release until May here in the U.K

[@marcelaviviana3215]

In Ari Aster fashion, terror is once again at the hands of humans and their interactions. There were 2 kinds of audiences at our cinema, the ones who walked out 30 mins in and the ones who stayed glued to our seat as the credits rolled. I'd say it's Aster's magnum opus at this point, and in the age of remakes and live actions, it's so appreciated to see creativity and executions such as this. Love your channel btw!

[@ragevsraid7703]

Years of watching you Chris and this is my favorite review you have done of all time. You gave me exactly enough to know i NEED this movie. Thank you.

[@bayonetababe9697]

I saw this last night and I was blown away. He’s definitely 3 for 3 in my opinion. I went late and there were only 12 people in the theater. I think I’m the only one who even liked. The man sitting in front of me actually yelled “oh, f**k you” when the ending credits started with directed by Ari Aster. I can say I haven’t had that happen before. It’s such a beautiful film if you’re willing to let the movie sweep you in and take you on a journey.

[@jesse2876]

that dude is a whole mood. That ending really is....something.

[@WordUnheard]

I had a similar experience with a movie that REALLY deserved it. Moonfall. After it was over, several guys in the row in front of us to our left, stood up, sarcastically applauded, and yelled, "Man, FUCK this movie!". I laughed for a good five minutes, because that's exactly what I was thinking all throughout Moonfall.

[@dylanbutts1628]

The movie did everything it could to disengage me. Especially trying to be funny with the nonsensical army character. Most people in my theatre disliked it and I understand why. It’s bad

[@jpeg204]

@@dylanbutts1628 you just didn’t get it but that’s okay

[@dylanbutts1628]

@@jpeg204 I can assure you, I did. Definitely more than most people pretending to have liked it. Most fans of this movie don't even understand it's about growing up as a victim of parental abuse. And feeling victim's guilt. But when you try to say too much in one film, you end up saying nothing at all. This movie is bad.

[@Grushvak]

There is a short scene in You were never really here where Joaquin Phoenix is driving through town on way to a job. It's full of quick cuts, very narrow angle shots making everything look much closer than it really is, sounds overlapping, levels jumping up. My wife told me that it looked like a really messy edit. I was fucking *emotional* watching this because I felt like whoever directed this, understood me, and could see the world through my eyes. I've been living with a generalized anxiety disorder for most of my adult life. I'm really looking forward to watching Beau is Afraid, there's a strange sense of serenity to be had in knowing that others feel the things you feel.

[@Doood692]

There is a naturopath named Robert Morse ND who helps people with anxiety and other health conditions heal with fruits and herbs. I highly recommend you check it out.

[@JamesyPaulMichael]

My interpretation of the attic scene was his direct confrontation of his loss of, "Valor & Courage." That his mother had locked away that part of him in this attic, as well as his perception of the demonization of sexual expression due to the deep-seeded hysteria his mother planted by telling Beau his father died from it.

[@CarlyCatharsis]

💯% SPOT-ON... EXACT SAME THING Happened To Me, As My Dad Died in 2015 From A Heart Murmur; Which Was Said To Have Been From His Perscriptions💊 & Diabetes. He Was A Vietnam🇻🇳Vet.

[@A00367311]

I think It's supposed to feel like a dream of a man highly scarred by his relationship with his mom. How an overbearing mother emasculates and anesthetizes Beau, his father, and his memories, turning him vulnerable and afraid of anything outside of her. Overall I feel it's a weird oniric journey through the mother/son/daughter bond. Loved it; 5 weird looking stars out of 5

[@briantu822]

Just watched this movie, and I know it may sounds crazy, but this is probably one of my favorite films of all time. The world-building, visual, and the themes are so beautifully done. The performances from the actors are also mind-blowing. This movie surely isn't for everyone, but this really is my kind of cinema. Overall, it's a chaotic, ambitious, disturbing, yet incredibly beautiful masterpiece. Really wish film like this one can be seen and love by more audience.

[@robtothejuice]

I agree I thought every single actor in this film did an outstanding job. There wasn’t one that was even close to mediocre imo.

[@KingCrimson68]

Agreed

[@BrennanLaBrie]

I wanted to like it, but I just got so confused and it made it hard for me to enjoy. For example, I didn’t understand the incredibly long story where he plays the old man, and I didn’t understand the scenes with the daughter of the couple that took him in or who they were supposed to represent. Also, I got really lost when he mother showed up, shows him the penis monster, and then he sets out on the boat to be tried by jury. I tried to enjoy the humor and horror of each scene but it was hard when I couldn’t understand anything.

[@MrRobertGillan]

@@BrennanLaBrie Basically his mother set up everything and she was in control of his life. And wanted control of his life and wanted him to come home. At least that’s what I interpreted from it.

[@briantu822]

@@BrennanLaBrie I can totally understand that. Not gonna lie I wasn’t able to get everything right away when I first saw it, but I found the emotion and impact really shocking and engaging. For me to be able to “feel” the movie is what matters the most. Also if you check some analysis who explain the message and plot, I’m sure you’ll appreciate this film much more!

[@matthieucote2272]

Your cut after the intro was brilliant haha, I laughed out loud. I got the chance to interview Ari Aster on Tuesday, what a trip, just like the movie.

[@joemahoney7870]

I was bemused and amazed by this film. I can understand peoples initial frustration and confusion, but it is a masterpiece in my eyes. I think the best way to look at it is with the clues it provides. 1. It’s an adventure film, see the blurb. 2. Beau is AFRAID. So now take the protagonist out of your adventure film and replace him with Beau; someone with hyperbolic anxiety and Supra-internalized guilt. Someone that can never do right and totally in lack of the courage one would need to survive such an adventure. The result is you get this story. A never-ending surrealist nightmare. Every lesson, every test the protagonist would overcome has been horrifically failed, because Beau is afraid. There are so many alternative perspectives to take; none of them reduce the efficacy of its possible meanings. Like I said, bemused and amazed

[@delrey874]

This is the most ambitious and challenging film of the year. Rarely does such a unique film come out of an American studio.

[@koolinthegang77]

I suffer, and have severe anxiety and depression.., when I hear this film was being made about someone dealing with this disease.. I made myself leave my home, ((I almost Never leave)) To go, see this film in the theater.. I really enjoyed this film, because it explains how a person deals with this disease every day..

[@reduXstereo]

Why see the movie and add to your anxiety? Haven't seen it yet so I'm curious.

[@kaguth]

I'm a little annoyed because I suffer from anxiety and thought of doing a surreal movie about what it feels like years ago, lol. I had that idea! But I'm glad Ari Aster is the one making it

[@fibonacci-dilemma3675]

I think what’s most beautiful but terrifying at the same time is how similar it is to a psychedelic experience. Especially when he’s hugging all of his sons because at the same time it’s an embodiment of every part of his shadow. All being realized and loved all at the same time, so when he was talking with his sons . What I really saw was him connecting to the different parts of his deeper consciousness/self, it was very bittersweet.

[@jazzbyers1256]

Very very excited to see this. I think it’s wonderful when directors make untraditional movies to illicit a feeling more then a story. I’m so stoked! Perhaps people won’t like it because the feeling of anxiety and paranoia is not a good feeling and for the most part I think people are looking for films that make them feel good.

[@nerd26373]

Chris's reviews are often the best. We will keep supporting him no matter what.

[@greggibson33]

"No matter what"..... what does that even mean?

[@LuisSierra42]

bot detected

[@greggibson33]

@@LuisSierra42 Is the bot me or Sophia? lol 😆

[@LuisSierra42]

@@greggibson33 Sophia

[@greggibson33]

@@LuisSierra42 It would be genius if YOU were the bot. 😆

[@blackmirrormusic8868]

I'm really excited to see this. I love Ari's work, from "there's something wrong with the Johnson's" to his feature length movies. I think Joaquin Phoenix weird movies are amazing. The Joker, You were never really here, her, the master. Amazing movies. You were never really here I feel was so underseen and highly underrated. I really can't wait to see Beau is Afraid!

[@WoahLookAtThatFreak]

I really appreciate you reviewing this Chris. Like you, I worry about the success of movies like this that are subversive and polarizing as I wish to see more of them get made. I thought Joaquin Phoenix was absolutely mesmerizing in this, but I also want to credit Patti Lupone who I thought perfectly played a horrifyingly manipulative, gaslighting mother. There were scenes where she legitimately creeped me out in this. Also, I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to "Always Be My Baby" the same way again lol

[@GeorgeXRP]

Chris Stuckmann just nailed it. This movie is exactly what is like to have extreme anxiety, & what it does to people around you. Excellent review!!! Makes me appreciate the film much, much more now. [1 criticism of the film is that it is just waaay too long. Becomes kind of exhausting & a bit too much, due to 3 hr running time]

[@nickb1762]

The scene of the theatre play was sooo exhausting, yet effective.

[@onironauta_86]

That thumbnail... The review we needed.

[@ANDRE1mang]

Loved this film! Already looking forward to getting it on 4K blu ray!!

[@AweebitJakey]

You are literally one of, if not THE, best critics around. I've always looked forward to your opinions and I literally base my next film on your reviews. I'm a long time subscriber and a fan of everything you've done this far, however this is my first comment to you so thank you for the honest, in depth review of this film as I'm an Ari aster fan and am 20 minutes into this movie sooooo....thank you! You rock!

[@camiy2026]

As a daughter of a narcissistic parent, I felt so bad Everytime Beau said “sorry, I’m sorry” for things he didn’t do. Also was rooting for him to stand up and yell “YOURE WRONG, STOP SPINNING THINGS TO MAKE YOU THE VICTIM NARCICISTIC BTCH” I felt so much impotence when he didn’t stand up for himself… and that sadly, that caused him to die

[@CarlyCatharsis]

That's EXACTLY How I Feel, When Listening To MY Mother & Sisters... TOTAL LACK Of Empathy!

[@jalindell]

Same, this movie hit really hard, really hard.

[@antepa112]

"I'm a victim buuhuu"

[@jalindell]

@@antepa112 Just cause you didn't grow up in an abusive household isn't a good reason to be an asshole to people who did. No one in this thread is claiming to be a victim, just that this movie was clearly meant to delve into abusive relationships, a theme that the director has already addressed in other movies and shorts. Those films exploring Physical, Mental and sexual abuse can be difficult for people who experienced those things as children to face when seeing someone else dealing with like issues. The abuse Beau dealt with in this movie isn't the same as the abuse the father in "The Strange Thing About the Johnsons" had to deal with, but people who abuse children are terrible people no matter what kind of abuse it is, Beau was abused, that is clear in this movie. I am sorry for you that this movie meant nothing and that you got nothing out of it. Move on JA.

[@AChairInspace]

I felt the exact opposite I felt like He should’ve stood up for him self and stop being such a puppy dog the dude was almost 50 acting like a baby this movie is one of my number one favorite it’s hilarious

[@heymistercarter.]

Easily one of my most anticipated movies of the year! Ari’s always knocked it out of the park for me, and I’m hoping that’ll be the case with this! That said, I’m not watching this review in full until I see this movie today. I want to be surprised, and this feels like a movie I shouldn’t know ANYTHING about going into it. I’ve watched the trailer once when it dropped, and I’ve blocked the images out of my mind since. I hope Ari ends up 3 for 3 for me! I’ll update this comment once I see it.

[@rvantong]

The review doesn't really spoil anything though

[@han__cholo]

Yeah he kinda only spoils one laugh early on in the film

[@Cinnamarollin]

Good luck lol

[@crispychickensandwich3886]

Hopefully you’ve heard enough criticism to watch it with an open mind. All I would say is that it’s nothing like his last 2 movies stylistically or structurally, but it feels very similar in a lot of ways. the story is extremely allegorical and abstract so try not to expect something too literal

[@nickstuckart1888]

Great review. I started crying halfway through and continued off and on until I had been home for over an hour. If I think about Beau I uncontrollably start crying now a day later. I didn't find the movie to be sad but it was very emotionally striking. Not everyone is going to enjoy it but they should see it.

[@hansolo916]

So glad you reviewed this one. It's been on my list and plan to see it in the theater. Just watched the Gladiator last night and was talking about how Joaquin Phoenix is such a fantastic actor. Looking forward to this one.!!

[@cfor1950]

This review is a return to your old form, Chris!! Love it

[@jordanmachuca6087]

I simultaneously think that Ari Aster is one of the most impressive & important filmmakers to emerge this generation, & I will also probably never see one of his movies 😂

[@mattismoney3212]

Truly felt like one of the best films I’ve ever seen. I’m not gonna jump the gun and say it definitely is though. If not one of the best films I’ve ever seen, it can certainly be one of my favorites. Definitely one of the most insanely creative and unique films I’ve ever seen. This film was so fucking psychedelic, i was high off my ass for this film but my god did this film just amplify that. This is one of those rare films that will have you thinking and contemplating it after you watch, whether you like it or not. This is creative genius in my opinion. Ari aster is quickly one of the my favorite directors and Joaquin Phoenix just continues to prove his cinematic greatness. Thank you Ari Aster, this is a one of a kind

[@bohemiansnitch]

lol I was dying to see how you were going to open this one and it did not disappoint, thank you

[@SpannersGerm669]

I am definitely going to check this one out. As an anxiety sufferer myself I am hoping it nails the feeling of always being in a state of panic. Thanks for the great review, Chris!

[@dibbdee]

I trust Chris so much in his judgement of films that I know I’m gonna love this one.

[@richardchandler3820]

Good luck!

[@dibbdee]

@@richardchandler3820 I like weird movies and Joaquin is one of my favorite actors. So, we’ll see 😂

[@debbiehunt5940]

😂

[@patrickpenalver3986]

I love Ari Aster but this was just a tough watch

[@nuckygulliver9607]

he really didn't/t get it. He's thinking the POV is wrong minded and pathological. He's making it into a psychological movie where we are supposed to not believe what's happening in front of us. This movie his only y for people that have been jaded and have been mindscrewed in real life. If you haven't .. you might understand if you were able to see the media lies.

[@MapleStoryRocks009]

I kinda loved this movie. It was genuinely hilarious in moment while being suuuper uncomfortable and unsettling in the next moment. The 3 hours flew by and I actually want to watch it again. I love the absurd nature of everything

[@hollandscottthomas]

Yeah, it was just surreal enough for me to not feel genuine panic watching it, but to feel a deep appreciation for the artistry in constantly ratcheting the tension. Just the first 45min alone is a phenomenal example of building stress and there’s basically no plot to it at all.

[@kylesmedley577]

Hey Chris! I’ve been watching your channel for about eight years now (can’t believe it’s been that long) and always am excited to hear your opinion on a movie I’ve recently watched, whether it’s current or not. As a long time viewer, I think it would be interesting and fun if you made a video outlining your top ten FAVORITE movies of all-time. Maybe the ones that mean the most to you or the ones you enjoy watching the most, not necessarily your A+ movies. Just a thought. Excited to see Shelby Oaks!

[@tumblraccount1653]

Thank you for your excellent review. I really didn't know how to articulate how this movie made me feel other than. Not only is Beau afraid, but so am I, and I have a huge appreciation that Ari Aster got the creative freedom to make a movie like this. Thank god there are amazing actors/actresses like Joaquin Pheonix to be able to execute a role just like this.

[@jjreddick377]

As someone who suffers from anxiety, this is a perfect representation

[@CheeBreeProductions]

Watch it yesterday and I loved it. It was series of intense and scary unfortunate events. I loved the interpretation of fear and Joaquin Phoenix was amazing.

[@montenegroafro4454]

Beau Is Afraid almost reminded me of scenes from “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”. It’s weird in its presentation, but captivating in symbolism and dialogue. Unrelated comment: Chris, the way you wheeze into a laugh is honestly heartwarming. Never lose your unique sense of humour.

[@Dukeybookey]

Ditto

[@eravashistha]

Ari Aster is one of those directors whose body of work is so incredibly original that its praises will be sung for years to come. Have not seen the movie yet. Just so excited that their is new Ari movie out!

[@joeysnowynoey8054]

I’m not sure how I felt about this movie honestly but damn I’m happy it exist. It’s absolutely insane, funny and just anxiety ridden. This disturbed me the most out of his three films. 😂 excited to see what he has next. Whatever it is, it’ll be something to talk about.

[@ALLCAPSKELL]

I can’t wait to watch this movie again. I love it so much. As someone who struggled with extreme anxiety for over ten years, it was so cathartic to watch this and laugh my ass off.

[@ALLCAPSKELL]

@@normalstreet1 that was absolutely not the message. 😂

[@zandermetrakos2637]

I have anxiety and I've been worried to see this in theaters in fear of it triggering my anxieties. Would you say that's not the case?

[@ALLCAPSKELL]

@@zandermetrakos2637 if depictions of anxiety causes you to get anxious, this has a high probability of making you anxious. I personally cannot handle sexual assault depictions and neither can my partner because of what we have been through. There is -almost- every type of anxiety trigger in this movie. It is definitely played for laughs because the likelihood that this kind of situation would happen IRL is 0%. I think maybe give it a shot when it comes out on streaming….if it ever gets picked up by streaming.

[@zandermetrakos2637]

@@ALLCAPSKELL thanks for responding. Like the main character I've been overthinking going to see this movie lol. But I love ari aster and want to support him

[@bruhmomento6691]

@@ALLCAPSKELL Now now, I’ll give the movie the benefit of the doubt considering how ambitious it sounds and how people can interpret the movie in hundreds of ways. I ain’t religious at all, but give bro a moment to shine on what he thinks about the movie💀

[@harbo11]

Chris your review is spot on. Love that we think alike. Keep up the good work. I was gonna do a review myself but i chickened out.

[@jrwojick]

This was quite the experience. It encompassed everything you touched on and then some. It's probably the longest 3 hr movie I have ever seen, I could have emerged from the theater to find that it was October and wouldn't have been surprised, but that being said I was not bored for a single minute. Just a wild wild WILD adventure.

[@reubenlee6438]

From the previews, I knew this was going to be a bizarre out of the box film. I have always loved strange movies you have to ponder on, like David Lynch and Charlie Kaufman films. I'm guessing Ari Aster had some inspiration while making this film. I've been seeing a lot of mixed reviews, and that's to be expected with movies like this. I'm happy to see how Stuckmann feels about it, and I'm definitely going to be seeing this movie.

[@ambatuBUHSURK]

I mean when's the last time a horror movie didn't have mixed reviews. They're either bad or mixed reviews.

[@reubenlee6438]

@@ambatuBUHSURK is this considered a horror movie?

[@Eidlones]

@@reubenlee6438 I wouldn't consider it one. And not just cause it doesn't have a killer in a mask and gore and blah blah blah. People have said that the paint scene was horrifying. And.... I don't get why? It felt much more like unexplained drama. The supper scene in Hereditary is 30x more horrifying than anything in this movie, and that's not a bash against Hereditary, that scene is genuinely uncomfortable, anxious, and horrifying.

[@Griwhoolda]

@@reubenlee6438 Hilariously, the movie chain where I viewed it termed it as "Action." I mean, technically they're not *wrong* - but still. 😂

[@Raf8347]

This was honestly Ari Aster's strangest movie. Took me a while to process but i liked it

[@elijahleighton1390]

Everytime something unexpected or shocking happens in this movie it just made me smile so hard, I told my friends I saw it with that it felt like the nightmare/schizo version of everything everywhere all at once. I’m excited to see it again at some point but I’ll never get to have that first watch experience again. Also the screening I saw had an intro of the cinematographer talking about him and ari, he doesn’t say anything about the movie tho other than “Be patient” lmao

[@subhathakur24]

It's even weird for Chris. Just the thing I need now. So freaking hyped up for this now

[@mothmanmedia8511]

I went in with the exact expectations as you and my wife and I had a blast laughing at all the right moments. Ari Aster is actually really good at directing his weird brand of comedy and it was very effective for us. That being said we were the only one’s laughing in our screening where it seemed like many were sighing and expecting Midsoomar 2 or something idk. All I can say is that for me Ari Aster is 3 for 3.

[@horrorclips7629]

Thank you Chris for explaining was i was trying to say about this film. I was absolutely stunned by this movie while also being panicked and terrified. And I loved his look on anxiety. I couldn’t believe what I saw tonight

[@carlacamp3846]

I’ve been waiting for you to do this review

[@godfatherofcinema]

The 1st 25-30 seconds of this review is the only endorsement for this film I needed and exactly what I anticipated based on his 1st 2 films. I happened to love Darren Aronofsky's Mother which a lot of critics hated so I can't wait to see this film based on this concise review, as always. Thx

[@thetrynes]

Lol I had the same reaction to the review😂

[@kickass2117]

Mother! is a very misunderstood film.

[@godfatherofcinema]

@@thetrynes anything less would have discouraged me from seeing the film

[@godfatherofcinema]

@@kickass2117 probably my favorite Aronofsky film

[@EdsCollegeLife]

I felt like I was watching a 3 hour episode of courage the Cowardly dog. And I loved it!!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@jjwalker-ei4xv]

I'm impressed with you review. That was great description.I really like the twist at the end. Phoenix pulls it off

[@jamestaylor2333]

I saw it the other night and liked it a lot. It was definitely mind-bending and kind of reminded me of Terry Gilliam's work. It's something I will have to see again but have control over so I can rewind and listen to bits of dialogue or see some detail I may have missed. The entire cast is brilliant and it was funnier than I thought it would be. I like dark humor and this is filled with it.

[@suburbanwhitedad7338]

Anyone get a feeling we must protect Little Joaquin? Hes got to be one of the greatest living actors man.

[@WoahLookAtThatFreak]

I don't typically care for his work but I thought he was wonderful in this

[@mummeii]

Having read the script, I had this exact thought about the film. What anxiety is like for those more heavily afflicted (mentally) than others. Asking “what if this happened? And then this?” and so on. Seeing reviews now seem to be confirming that thought, thankfully . Because that is pretty genius, and ari aster is pretty demented so I can’t wait to see this

[@frankhoodie]

@2:55 what you said! I said the sameeee exact thing too! I was like I like how they didn’t have a part where they’re like “beau are you okay? Is it your anxiety?” I like that were experiencing this with him and it’s very confusing and scary. Well explained!!!

[@jacoblane6313]

I love directors such as Aster, Peele, and M. Night Shyamalan. They not only create movies that are weird and unique, but also have deeper themes that are explored in unconventional ways. Often, they don't give answers, but rather force the audience to engage w/ the movie and draw their own conclusions.

[@burntdice2810]

Peele doesn’t belong in that list. He’s all style and no substance

[@bubbs4882]

Someone I was in the theater with described it as "neurotic odyssey" and I cannot find a better way to describe the movie other than that

[@cobaltfalcon9458]

Already seen it 3 times. Ari Aster definitely is among my favorite filmmakers working. That attic scene took a detour into Lynch territory, and that's all I would have hoped for

[@Warp75]

He’s made 3 films & 2 of them ain’t very good.

[@cobaltfalcon9458]

@@Warp75 damn. Don’t care

[@Warp75]

@@cobaltfalcon9458 You know what I couldn’t give a flying fuck either.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Beau is afraid is like a sort of roller coaster, which keeps you hooked on what's happening in the movie all the time. As a result, Joaquin Phoenix did a great performance who was coming from winning an Oscar for his Joker's performance. Furthermore, Joaquin was able to demonstrate that he's a versatile actor who never disappoints in every role he plays.

[@DownInFlames85]

Looking forward to seeing this. It seems interesting to me.

[@robtothejuice]

My best advice is do not try to pick it apart after or during. Just enjoy the absolute wild ride of it lol.

[@Qegixar]

That wild play in the woods sequence that goes on and on, and then finally delivers the punch line... And the insane attic scene that is so absolutely ridiculous the whole audience was roaring, but there was so much foreshadowing of it that it almost made sense...