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Beau is Afraid (2023)

  • Writer: Mico Rivera
    Mico Rivera
  • Jul 27, 2023
  • 4 min read

Updated: Aug 2, 2023

★★★★☆

A Navigation of Nightmares

Ari Aster, renowned for his distinctive and often unnerving storytelling, was afforded artistic freedom by A24 for his project Beau is Afraid (2023). The film production company, A24, which had already established a robust relationship with Aster through successful collaborations on Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), expressed complete trust in his vision.


Recognizing the unique sensibilities and inimitable style that Aster brings to the genre, A24 stepped back, granting him full creative license—by the sum of $35 million—to craft the narrative and aesthetic of Beau is Afraid. This decision was not only a testament to the deep faith A24 had in Aster's prowess as a filmmaker but also an assertion of their commitment to nurturing auteur-driven cinema.


While the existence of auteurs is indeed crucial for the evolution of cinema, offering a fresh and individual perspective that challenges the boundaries of storytelling, Aster's latest venture demonstrates that absolute autonomy doesn't necessarily translate into a successful film.


The absence of any editorial oversight has led to a narrative that, although ambitious in its scope, suffers from disjointed storytelling. The film spends an excessive amount of time exploring the various "worlds" Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) visits. However, the connections between these worlds and their significance to the overarching narrative remain largely obscure, leading to a sense of narrative drift.


This lack of focused direction may be attributed to Aster's unregulated creative reign on the project—well-intent gone awry. While Aster's willingness to push boundaries is commendable, Beau is Afraid highlights the need for a balance between creative freedom and disciplined storytelling.


Nevertheless, Phoenix delivers yet another electrifying performance that vividly manifest his unparalleled talent and range. Embodying the harried nature of Beau, Phoenix deftly navigates the labyrinthine emotional landscape of Beau's fears. Each world strives to peel back another layer of Beau's complex psyche, courtesy o fPhoenix's subtle expressions and powerful delivery, as he masterfully oscillates between vulnerability and courage.


Phoenix's work in Beau is Afraid reaffirms his reputation as one of the most compelling actors of our time. His capacity to infuse his characters with raw, unfiltered emotion creates an unsettling, yet deeply compelling viewing experience. Phoenix's performance is steeped in nuance, offering a portrayal of fear and courage that is as haunting as it is captivating. His stunning portrayal in Beau is Afraid remains a testament to his ceaseless dedication to the craft, further solidifying his place in the pantheon of cinematic greats.


Further, The "Orphans of the Forest" segment offers a deep and transformative narrative experience that seems to encapsulate the essence of the entire film, making it well worth the watch. This critical scene intricately blends Carl Jung's concept of individuation, the psychological process of integrating the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self, into Beau's storyline. In the play within the film, Beau's journey reflects a fictionalized version of his life, a reality that is slightly altered but profoundly familiar. This exploration of Beau's psyche, through the play, signals his ongoing struggle with his personal history, familial relationships, and identity.


The narration and foreboding sound mixing in this scene, combined with the stage-like mise-en-scène, create a captivating atmosphere that draws the audience into Beau's existential struggle. The immersive and hypnotizing audio-visual elements mirror Beau's disoriented state, stuck in a perpetual nightmare. As the narrative unfolds, the storm separates Beau from his family, mirroring his psychological detachment from his past and loved ones. This suggests the Jungian process of Shadow confrontation—facing the dark, repressed elements of the self to realize wholeness. The blaring horns, signifying Beau's impending death, represent a symbolic death or a "nigredo" stage in alchemical terms, necessary for the transformation and individuation process.


The end of the play reveals Beau's possibility of awakening, rediscovering his family, and thereby finding his true self. This is reminiscent of the Jungian concept of rebirth following the confrontation with the Shadow. Interestingly, Beau's role as a father experiencing recurring nightmares about his mother indicates his fear of replicating past familial patterns. Akin to the concept of individuation as it encourages the recognition and breakage of such patterns. If the play does indeed represent Beau's real life, then his awakening signals his emergence from the nightmare, his acceptance of his past, and his readiness to embrace his individuated self. In doing so, he takes control of his life and steps towards reconnecting with his children, thus beginning a new chapter in his life, free from the shadows of his past.


The segment possesses such profound depth and emotional resonance that it warrants the position of the film's climactic moment. The powerful narrative unfolds Beau's inner turmoil, past trauma, and hope for a rebirth with an intensity that arguably overshadows subsequent plot developments...especially the events that unfold in the attic. This scene essentially encapsulates Beau's process of individuation, the crux of his character's journey. By placing this as the climax, Aster could have allowed the narrative to naturally segue into a resolution phase, providing a more concise and emotionally satisfying arc for Beau.


Any expansion of the plot beyond this point, unfortunately, dilutes the profound impact of this pivotal scene. The strength of this segment lies in its raw and intense exposition of Beau's psychological struggle and ultimate transformation, an emotional climax that would ideally lead to a resolution, thus providing a neat narrative bookend, rather than further plot complications.

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