Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Beau Is Afraid is the kind of audacious swing you don’t see often: a fever-dream odyssey that turns anxiety into an epic, darkly comic adventure, staged with the confidence of a filmmaker who refuses to play it safe. Joaquin Phoenix gives himself over completely, making Beau’s panic feel both painfully human and perversely hilarious as the movie keeps reshaping reality into something visually haunting and strangely beautiful. Ari Aster’s craft is everywhere—in the precise chaos, the unnerving sight gags, the dream-logic transitions—so even when you’re not sure what to think, you can’t deny you’re watching a singular vision. It’s long, indulgent, and intentionally disorienting, so it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for a bold, one-of-a-kind cinematic ride, this is the rare film that feels like it was made with no safety net and no apologies.

Beau Is Afraid is clearly trying to be a surreal, darkly funny anxiety nightmare—an epic odyssey where every moment feels like a panic attack turned into myth. The problem is it’s so long, so stuffed with tangents, and so deliberately baffling that what should feel adventurous can start feeling exhausting and unfocused, like it’s daring you to keep up rather than inviting you in. If you need coherent motivations, clean storytelling, or even a consistent tone, this will likely irritate you more than it entertains. That said, it’s technically impressive and Joaquin Phoenix is fully committed, so if you enjoy maximalist, fever-dream cinema that prioritizes vibe over clarity, you might admire it even when it’s driving you mad.