Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

67% Tomatometer 272 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250+ Verified Ratings

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

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Beau Is Afraid

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Critics Consensus

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

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Audience Says

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

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Critics Reviews

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Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Christina Newland iNews.co.uk This new horror starring Joaquin Phoenix and Patti LuPone is a building panic attack of a film - but its bloated, self-indulgent three-hour runtime lets it down. Rated: 2/5 Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Ben Walters Sight & Sound It’s hard to thrill to the turn of the screw when the wheels have already come off. Jun 8, 2023 Full Review Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Guy Lodge Film of the Week An often sensationally funny black comedy, poetically punctuated by the horror of the human condition. The connecting tissue between all three films is the dread of mortality, which in Beau is Afraid is given a run for its money by the terror of living. Jun 2, 2023 Full Review Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (4) William Stottor FILMHOUNDS Magazine Terrific moments are ultimately stifled by Aster's disorganisation; he flits from the sublime to the downright stupid so often in Beau Is Afraid that it becomes impossible to guess whether each subsequent beat or moment will be a success or a disaster. Rated: 3/5 Sep 3, 2024 Full Review Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Calum Cooper Flick Feast There is an evident consideration to theme, as is always the case with Aster, but the execution feels like it is having its cake and eating it too. Rated: 3/5 Jul 19, 2024 Full Review Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Jorge Ignacio Castillo The Canadian Crew Alas, at least the first hour of Beau is Afraid is a complete riot, a smorgasbord of black comedy and modern neuroses with a dash of slapstick. The real feat would have been to sustain that pace for the entire movie. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 13, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Annalise Ari Aster's best so far, he made a horror epic! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/24/23 Full Review Sally This movie was so weird. Ari Aster is a master at playing with your mind and presenting things you would never expect. This movie felt like a fever dream that just wouldnt end. I have so many questions. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/01/23 Full Review Josh I cannot say that Beau is Afraid is objectively the best movie I've ever watched, although it is certainly among the top 10. What I can say, however, is that this movie is the most haunting. I can guarantee that there will be no point in the next few months where I will not have this movie residing somewhere in the back of my mind. I do not dare go into specifics for fear of spoiling the movie, but I will say that as the credits rolled, I felt glued to my seat, in a dual state of needing to cry and being unable to do so in a way that would properly represent what I would be crying for. This is that kind of movie. You should watch it, but pick a time that you won't need to do anything for the rest of the evening, because now I have to go to therapy of all things, and I don't know if I'm ready to return to my own life that quickly. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/30/23 Full Review Chris Great acting, editing, and cinematography. Loved the ironic humor but it derailed about half way and never recovered. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/16/23 Full Review Stephen It was a very original movie. The pacing is as unconventional, and rough in some parts, but I’d still suggest it to people who like unique movies. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/15/23 Full Review abCynth666 The bar for f**ked up films has been raised. Like a unrelenting bad dream. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Ari Aster Director Joaquin Phoenix Beau Nathan Lane Roger Amy Ryan Grace Parker Posey Elaine Patti LuPone Actor
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Synopsis A paranoid man embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother in this bold and ingeniously depraved new film from writer/director Ari Aster.

Director
Ari Aster

Producer
Lars Knudsen, Ari Aster

Screenwriter
Ari Aster

Distributor
A24

Production Co
MTL Grandé Studios, A24, IPR.VC, Access Entertainment, Square Peg

Rating
R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Language|Sexual Content|Strong Violent Content)

Genre
Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 21, 2023, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 13, 2023

Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.1M

Runtime
2h 59m

Sound Mix
Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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Beau Is Afraid | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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