Multi-Layered Dark Comedy 'Beau Is Afraid' Confounding But Compelling, Say Critics

Ari Aster's surreal tragicomedy spans decades in recounting its anxious protagonist's troubled life and troubled relationship with his mother.
Joaquin Phoenix's performance as the titular Beau Wasserman anchors the film, though his character remains an enigma.
Reviewers praise the film's originality and ambition but find its three-hour runtime exhausting and its meaning elusive.
The unconventional rollout of the film, including surprise screenings and an embargo on early reviews, has added to the mystique surrounding this strange, unsettling work.
Critics say the film is likely to polarize audiences but cement Aster's status as a director willing to take big risks.