Beau Is Afraid
Overmedicated and anxiety ridden Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) is supposed to fly home and visit his mother (Patti LuPone), but, when a missed flight begins a chain reaction of extreme and increasingly tragic events, Beau’s limits will be tested to levels never thought possible. The journey home might just be his darkest hour yet, perhaps estranged girlfriend Elaine (Parker Posey) holds the key to happiness, only one way to find out. 
Written and Directed by Ari Aster this cinematic showpiece provides a seemingly impossible visual smorgasbord inside what’s destined to become 2023’s most nightmarish and surreal plot line. Beginning grounded in sanity but quickly unfurling to reveal a three hour asphyxiation of normalcy, Phoenix’s ability to hold steadfast is uncanny and impressive. Meanwhile this arduous slog of a film will likely come as an acquired taste that most will never develop a taste for, that is unless you’re a fan of Kafka. Challenges of person vs. self vs. nature vs. others ring loud and clear and without explanation, many question marks hang in the balance, in the end, it’s just exhausting. Beau Is Afraid is rated R.