Review of Beau Is Afraid (2023) by Soulwarfare — 30 Jun 2023

I love weird, unique and even crazy types of movies, which Beau is Afraid most certainly is. The movie is technically well-made with its visuals and cinematography. Joaquin Phoenix also gives an amusing performance of someone with insane anxiety, Unfortunately, the story is overstuffed and nonsensical.

The first hour starts with a lot of intrigue but it becomes almost painfully dull after that. Weird things happen with no rhyme and reason, the multitude of stories and character threads don't connect, and the self-indulgent nature of this whole film.

A big issue is the excessive and exhausting 3-hour runtime with its slow pacing. Doesn't help that there are so many scenes of just nothing happening, such as characters walking or sleeping. I give praise for doing a big swing on something original but this time it was a huge miss.