The trailer for Ari Aster’s Beau is Afraid proves that one classic movie could’ve really tapped into its more horrific themes. Beau is Afraid is the third feature film from Ari Aster, one of the most exciting horror directors of recent years, after 2018’s Hereditary, and 2019’s Midsommar. Before making the leap to feature filmmaking, Aster’s short film The Strange Thing About the Johnsons leaked online in November 2011 and quickly went viral for its shockingly taboo-breaking twist ending. Every feature film that Aster has made since has leaned into the disturbing imagery and themes that the director explored in his 2011 short film.
The trailer for his new film, Beau is Afraid, shows that there are no signs that Aster will be stopping his run of truly disturbing horror movies. Beginning life as a script entitled Disappointment Blvd., which circulated online back in 2014, Beau is Afraid promises to be Aster’s weirdest film yet.
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Beau is Afraid will detail the story of Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) as he undertakes a surreal journey under constant threat back home to his overbearing mother. However, the more bizarre elements of the movie bring to mind another genre-bending classic: Peter Weir’s existential comedy-drama The Truman Show.
Beau Is Afraid’s Trailer Hints At Truman Show Parallels
The trailer for Beau is Afraid parallels some of the more surreal and meta elements of The Truman Show. As part of his journey, Beau pilots a boat over a mysteriously calm sea. Looking up, he spots a lighting rig, presumably for the movie that he is in, attached to the roof of a dome. This moment is seemingly a clear reference to the ending of The Truman Show, as Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) sails to the edge of the set that he has spent his entire life living in, as part of a 24/7 reality television show within the film.
Beau is Afraid‘s trailer also includes moments that purposefully destroy any notion of realism within the film. Beau travels through landscapes that are purposefully crafted to look like stages, complete with painted backdrops, animated sandstorms, and cardboard cutout houses. Beau is Afraid is expanding upon the themes of simulated reality within The Truman Show‘s elaborate dome-covered set by making Beau’s journey look as constructed as possible. Aster also looks to be highlighting the horror of Beau’s journey as opposed to the freeing nature of Truman’s boat escape, as Phoenix’s character appears to have an extreme fear of leaving environments perceived to be safe.
Why The Truman Show Is The Perfect Premise For A Horror Movie
The disturbing horror Beau is Afraid seems to be loosely adapting The Truman Show‘s premise of a man not in control of his own life and viewing it through the lens of horror. This is a brilliant creative decision, as it not only dismisses claims of Beau is Afraid being a ripoff, but also takes The Truman Show‘s premise in a wild new direction that it is perfect for. The Truman Show contained themes that were ripe to explore in the context of the horror genre, such as constant surveillance and existentialism, something that Beau is Afraid can take full advantage of.
The utter lack of power that Truman has within his own life, as every detail is carefully controlled by the series’ creator, Christof (Ed Harris), is a premise perfect for the horror genre. Kyle Edward Ball’s experimental supernatural film Skinamarink similarly expanded upon this theme of control when it was released in January 2023, with its premise of two innocent children trapped in their own home at the whim of an unknown entity. The Beau is Afraid trailer supports the idea that it will also be taking on these themes and spiritually adapting The Truman Show‘s core premise with a horror twist.
Beau Is Afraid
Release Date:2023-04-21
