Michael Cox

Beau is Afraid has a really strong first hour. It's hilarious. Like gut-bustingly so. A non-stop ride of anxiety where everything that could possibly go wrong, does go wrong and you can't stop laughing. "Beware of Brown Recluses in the building." Next shot: a brown recluse moves off screen. It's so funny. And then it kind of meanders for a long time. Sure, Nathan Lane is really funny, but you're kind of there and then it goes to the play and it's visually stunning, but there's no point to it, it feels like? Then it gets really bonkers at the end and then it... ends? It's a mixed bag and kind of self-indulgent on Ari Aster's part, but the film looks incredible, can be really funny and horrifying, uncomfortable, and is well-acted from Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane and Joaquin Phoenix. You really feel the length, though. I liked it. It's pretty good, but however you feel about the film, is justified because it's a weird freaking film.

Y'all need to watch more movies because this was a massive disappointment. In light of something like Top Gun: Maverick, an American blockbuster done right, this is a prime example of one done wrong. It's bland and boring. Don't waste your time on it.

An excellent film! Shot and scored like a slow-burn horror film with a brilliant cast to boot.