Beau Is Afraid (2023)

In Beau is Afraid (2023), balding, middle-aged Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) is about to leave his anxiety-inducing, crumbling, crime-riddled downtown neighborhood to go visit his even more anxiety-inducing mother (Patti Lupone) on the anniversary of his father’s death. Its ends up being a journey of disastrous proportions, starting with a car accident that makes him miss his flight, a naked meltdown, two sad yet pushy suburban parents and their pissed off daughter, plus a few stressful flashbacks. Even sex with a gung ho Parker Posey showing some terrific T’n’A doesn’t end the way you think. This is an Ari Aster pic after all, the man who brought us the disturbing duo of Hereditary and Midsommar, but don’t be afraid. Parker’s rump and rack are worth the trauma!