A24 film, bringing in $80.9 million worldwide. Even now, Hereditary is A24's 4th highest-grossing movie of all time. In addition to serving the studio, the movie also put director Ari Aster on the map. Aster would go from a relatively unknown short film director to a revered feature helmer overnight.

Just one year after Hereditary's release, A24 would go on to distribute Aster's Midsommar. Midsommar did not do quite as well as Hereditary, making just $46.7 million in theaters. Still, the cult-ridden horror film got people talking and made actor Florence Pugh a much more mainstream star. The film would go on to be the inspiration for Halloween costumes and cosplay, and a controversial entry in the internet-coined "good for her" subgenre. After Midsommar, Aster went on to direct a movie that was far more divisive, which is changing streaming homes.

Beau Is Afraid Is Switching Streamers

The Movie Is Coming To Max

Beau Is Afraid is now transitioning to a new streaming service. Unlike Midsommar or Hereditary, Beau is Afraid steps out of the psychological horror genre and into the realm of dark comedy. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man tortured by anxiety and the death of his mother, who goes on a strange journey back home. Beyond genre and its oversized runtime, the biggest difference between Beau is Afraid and Aster's two previous works ended up being its box office performance. The Phoenix-led film ended up making just $11.5 million at the worldwide box office.

Did You Know?

At 2 hours and 59 minutes long, Beau is Afraid is Ari Aster's longest movie to date.

Two years after this notorious flop, Beau is Afraid is changing streaming services. The film will soon be available to stream on Max, starting on March 14. Previously, the movie was available on Prime Video and Paramount+.

For Fans Of...

  • Ari Aster's Midsommar and Hereditary looking for another project
  • Quirk dark comedies
  • Joaquin Phoenix movies
  • Family-based drama

Why You Should Watch Beau Is Afraid When It Comes To Max

The Movie Takes Exciting Risks

Seeing Beau is Afraid's lackluster box office results should not scare audiences away from the movie. Though it was incredibly divisive, getting a 68% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is innovative in its wackiness, and delves deeply into the lead's issues with his mother. Screen Rant's Graeme Guttmann gave the film a 7 out of 10, saying "Aster finds ways to make the mundane abjectly terrifying or, at the very least, completely unnerving." Beau is Afraid may not have the same tightness as Midsommar or Hereditary, but it still packs a punch.

Beau is Afraid Key Facts

Box Office

$11.5 million

RT Critics Score

68%

RT Audience Score

71%

Major Award Recognition

Golden Globe For Best Actor In A Comedy/Musical (Nominated)

More on what ScreenRant has said about Beau is Afraid:

Aster's growing oeuvre of motifs is ever-present in Beau is Afraid, establishing a visual language that speaks to his previous works while letting him run loose in a world of his own creation. Beau lives in a world like ours, except everyone seems to have lost their minds. This is the genius of Beau is Afraid's horror — it emanates a deeply unsettling aura even while nothing all that terrifying is happening. From teenage girlhood to being nursed back to health and sleeping with a long-lost crush, Aster finds ways to make the mundane abjectly terrifying or, at the very least, completely unnerving. Beau is Afraid Review

5 More Essential Joaquin Phoenix Movies To Watch After Beau Is Afraid:

  • You Were Never Really Here
  • The Master
  • Her
  • Walk the Line
  • Inherent Vice
    Beau is afraid movie poster 2

    Your Rating

    Beau Is Afraid
    R
    Comedy
    Horror
    Supernatural
    Release Date
    April 21, 2023
    Runtime
    179 minutes
    Director
    Ari Aster

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Beau Is Afraid (formerly known as Disappointment Blvd.) is a new supernatural horror/comedy film from Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar.) Joaquin Phoenix stars as the titular Beau in his older years, as a young man with a strained relationship with his mother. After her death, his return home is marked by strange supernatural occurrences.

    Writers
    Ari Aster
    Budget
    $35 million
    Studio(s)
    A24
    Distributor(s)
    A24