'Beau Is Afraid' exclusive clip takes a deeper look into this bizarre film

"If you pumped a 10-year-old full of Zoloft and had him get your groceries, that's like this movie."
 By 
Meera Navlakha
 on 
Joaquin Phoenix running in a still from the movie.
Watch Next

Director Ari Aster has been thinking about what is now Beau Is Afraid for 10 years. "I feel great responsibility to deliver something amazing," says the acclaimed horror creator.

The upcoming A24 film — which Aster describes as "epic" and "jumbo" — stars Joaquin Phoenix on a tumultuous journey to see his mother. A simple enough premise, sure, but as we can surmise from the behind-the-scenes footage, nothing is at it seems.

The BTS video gives a well-needed glimpse into an otherwise genre-defying, surrealist piece of work. Plus you get to hear Aster quips like, "If you pumped a 10-year-old full of Zoloft and had him get your groceries, that's like this movie."

Whatever that means, it seems to run close to the official synopsis of the film: "ingeniously depraved." We can see why.

Beau is Afraid hits theaters April 21.

Topics Film Trailers

Mashable Image
Meera Navlakha

Meera is a journalist based between London and New York. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Vice, The Independent, Vogue India, W Magazine, and others. She was previously a Culture Reporter at Mashable. 


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!