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Beau Is Afraid

Beau Is Afraid is a 2023 American surrealist tragicomedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Ari Aster.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Beau Is Afraid is a 2023 American surrealist tragicomedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Ari Aster. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Beau Wassermann, a paranoid man who undertakes a surreal journey to get home to his mother. The film is known for its dark humour, anxious tone, and divisive critical response.

Plot

The film follows Beau, a deeply anxious man, as he travels home after his mother’s death and confronts a series of increasingly surreal and frightening events. The story uses absurd and dreamlike imagery to explore fear, guilt, and family trauma.

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix leads the film as Beau Wassermann. Supporting roles include Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Parker Posey, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Michael Gandolfini, Zoe Lister-Jones, Armen Nahapetian, and Richard Kind.

Release and runtime

Beau Is Afraid premiered on April 1, 2023 at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and was released in the United States on April 14, 2023. Its running time is 179 minutes.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its ambition, performances, and visual imagination, while others found its length and density exhausting. It is commonly described as polarizing.

Key facts

  • The film follows Beau Wassermann, a mild-mannered man whose anxiety and paranoia shape the story.
  • It is structured as a surreal odyssey centred on Beau’s attempt to return to his mother’s home.
  • Joaquin Phoenix plays the title role, with Patti LuPone and Nathan Lane among the supporting cast.
  • The film was released in 2023 and runs 179 minutes.
  • Its tone blends horror, comedy, drama, and mystery, and its reception was mixed to divisive.
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Canadian context

The film played in Canadian theatres after its 2023 release and is relevant to Canadian audiences as part of the wider international reception of Ari Aster’s work.

Frequently asked questions

What is Beau Is Afraid about?
It follows Beau Wassermann, a paranoid and anxious man, on a surreal journey to return to his mother’s house, confronting fears, guilt, and bizarre obstacles along the way.
Who stars in Beau Is Afraid?
Joaquin Phoenix stars as Beau. The supporting cast includes Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Kylie Rogers, Parker Posey, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Michael Gandolfini, Zoe Lister-Jones, Armen Nahapetian, and Richard Kind.
When was Beau Is Afraid released?
It premiered on April 1, 2023, at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and was released in the United States on April 14, 2023.
How long is Beau Is Afraid?
The film’s running time is 179 minutes, or 2 hours and 59 minutes.
What are the reviews of Beau Is Afraid?
Reviews were mixed to divisive. Critics often praised its ambition and performances, but many also noted that its long runtime and intense surrealism make it challenging or exhausting.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Is_Afraid
    Supports: Film title, 2023 release, synopsis, cast, and running time.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beau_is_afraid
    Supports: Runtime, release date, genre, synopsis, and general critical reception context.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/beau-is-afraid-movie-review-2023
    Supports: Critical assessment and review tone.
  4. BBC Culture — https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230419-beau-is-afraid-is-the-most-bizarre-film-of-the-year
    Supports: Release timing, cast, runtime, and general description.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13521006/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and central premise.