Beau Is Afraid (2023)

DVD CASE/SIDE

MPAA Number: 54220

Length of film:  179 Minutes

Rated: 15 (14A)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror

Director: Ari Aster

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Patti LuPone, Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, Kylie Rogers, Denis Ménochet, Parker Posey, Richard Kind, Julian Richings, Zoe Lister-Jones

IMDB Rank: 6.6/10

Part 1 Time:  120 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  59 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Beau Wassermann (Joaquin Phoenix) runs for his life as he is perused by Jeeves (Denis Ménochet). Jeeves activates a shock to Beau’s ankle bracelet. Beau is subsequently knocked unconscious.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Beau…run!” the Strange man (Julian Richings) shouts warning to Beau that he is in danger.

First line of dialogue on the second part: Young Beau is in the bathtub. Young Mona Wassermann (Zoe Lister-Jones) asks, “Am I hurting you? Okay let’s go clothes off.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, Beau seems to escape from Jeeves, but at the last moment is knocked unconscious from a shock by his ankle bracelet. Will Beau’s fears finally catch up with him or will he evade capture once more.

Which part is better? The film’s plot has three acts (departure, initiation, return), with part one including acts one and two and part two presenting act three. The film is all over the place and can at times make you wonder what is really happening. If you take the approach of viewing each scene from Beau’s mindset and incorporate his pantophobia (fear of everything) into each interaction he has, you can understand why certain events may have transpired the way Beau has perceived it. Part one is slightly better as Beau begins his grieving process and is faced by various challenges, especially during act two of the film.

Academy Awards: None

Other Awards: 2024 Golden Globes– Best Comdey or Musical Actor (Nominated- Joaquin Phoenix)