Beau Is Afraid

"This was one freaky-ass 3-hour surrealist-dark comedy-horror arthouse flick starring Joaquin Phoenix — Not sure what I just watched 🤨 BUT, I’ll never be able to hear Mariah Carey’s song ALWAYS BE MY BABY the same way ever again 😆🤣 — or go up into a dark attic... YIKES! 😳😆 …. Yep, just plain #weird & #freaky "

"Just no. Not worth it for 3 hours of absolute ridiculous confusion. "

"Incapacitated by fear, Beau lives in a nightmarish zombie world where he is incapable of managing anything. The death of his mother results in a strange road trip which reveals what his life could be. Mixed horror and comedy, the film is technically brilliant while the story is lost in the effects."

"This is without a doubt one of the most bizarre movies I’ve ever seen. There will never be another movie like Beau is Afraid… I can see some people loving it but I can also see a ton of people hating it. From what I’ve read, many people even left the theater early because they hated it so much…😬 This is a hard movie to recommend because at many moments I thought to myself: what is going on right now???"

"Joaquin Phoenix known for different kind of movies but this one just tops them all. What on earth did I watch and why?"

"What a wild ride! Definitely one of the most bizarre movies I've ever seen. I'm kind of irritated at the recent trend of 3 hour long movies, but this one was pretty well worth it to me. Overall, I enjoyed this crazy journey. Joaquin Phoenix was great as usual."

"What...did I just...watch? 😂 Ok, it took me a day to digest this one, it was a lot. I should have known when Ari Aster decides to make a comedy, the results would be... something else. Beau is afraid is a surreal trip of misfortune, guilt and self-discovery through a world that blurs reality and delusion. It's outrageously bizarre and unpredictable and at times laugh out loud funny despite its serious underlying themes of abuse and the resulting mental anguish that Beau is fighting. I actually quite enjoyed the first two thirds of the movie but it looses steam a bit at the end - it's a long movie - although it never stops being s to the wall crazy. I can't in good consciousness recommend this movie, because it's pretty likely you will hate it. I don't even know if I liked it, but it was incredibly well made and unique and Joaquin Phoenix delivers an amazing performance. There is also SO much going on in the background that I might just watch it again for that. Consume at your own risk. 😂 7 out of 10"

"Everything about this movie was insane but that's what makes this movie great. I've never seen a movie like this before to the point where I didn't even know movies could be this way. Phenomenal acting from the whole cast especially the actor that plays Beau. This movie felt like nightmare after nightmare. I honestly can't express what I was thinking watching the first 30 minutes of this movie not knowing anything about it. I was so confused and uncomfortable. This is one of those movies you're gonna want to watch again while also not wanting to at the same time."

"A interesting, entertaining, and well acted illustration of one’s life’s journey under the duress of generational trauma/ curses. It is what I would say a secular world view of an accusatory lie bringing shame and judgment to all things that were originally created to bring joy. In this sense, one must prepare for the dark ride through Beau’s experience and the endless twists and turns of his “adventure.” If one is familiar with the work of this director, then one can anticipate the disturbing elements and dark themes explored. I am not sure if the director intended this as a commentary of a futile resistance to the ugliness offered at the hands of a malevolent origin and perpetuation of telling of one’s life odyssey or just as a disturbing “art”’piece or even scary movie if you will. However, given the run time and continues meta crossings of it all, I can not help but perceive a depth to it that should be explored. I bring the lens of my belief system to it all (fully aware that it is not for everyone but brought in peace and only for the purpose of exploration) I saw this as a plight of one living in the decay of the Fall, struggling without hope, and believing an original lie who is batted around by a common enemy that takes many forms accessing many generations. The generation before him seem clueless as how to reach and heal him try as they may, he is lost generation, and the generation after him is a self absorbed decadent one that are the fruit of this rotten root. So root, trunk and leaves are infected and we go along for the ride. I do feel it was accurate in its portrayal of how perpetual ignorance of hope and alleviation can lead to existential “judgement” and I was entertained, felt the depth and even had a few laughs. However, more than anything it made me happy that in reality there is a hope that can make everything beautiful as it was intended or at least a way to obscure all of the ugly. One does not have to live under the duress of judgment nor approach an imposing eye in the sky judgemental fear that is the result of a lie that originated far longer that most know or believe. I do believe this film has merit in many ways but the question of whether it was in the ways it was intended is neither here nor there which is why I love art (artifice) as much as I do. #julietsfavorites #julietspicks #artistsoul #artistssoul #shalusfavorites #shaluspicks "

"I think I like this movie? I definitely need to rewatch it where I can pause it to make sense of everything going on... But, with that said, I enjoyed the concept of this movie. As expected with this movie being Ari Aster, it is artistically very well done. I could definitely see moments of Midsommar. Especially the theater scene. Having a movie reflect on ones anxiety and paranoia is a new concept in horror, and I think Ari Aster did a great job expressing that. Beau is Afraid should probably not be watched by those who have extreme anxiety because the movie is meant to give you anxiety, and it lasts for three hours. Which is my negative review on the movie... I thought it was beautiful, but way too long. Since it's so long I was sitting there trying to remember the beginning and how it all ties together with everything else going on. I also thought there were certain scenes that just didn't need to be added. I kept sitting there thinking "oh this is the end" but then it wasn't. So, it definitely could have been shorter. Overall though, I think I enjoyed it. Joaquin Phoenix did an amazing job with the character Beau, and Ari Aster once again knocked it out of the park with his detailed sets, scenarios, and plot. I recommend watching, but only if you don't have extreme anxiety. "