‘Nightmarish masterpiece’ on Netflix from director of Eddington is about to be removed
Film buffs who can’t wait for Ari Aster’s new dark comedy Eddington should be sure to check out his previous film before it’s removed from Netflix
Netflix is currently streaming a nightmarish epic from acclaimed director Ari Aster - but not for much longer.
The director of modern horror classics Hereditary and Midsommar released his latest thriller Eddington to US cinemas last month and it’s finally coming to UK screens later this week.
It’s already sparked controversy amongst critics and fans for its offbeat tone, early pandemic setting and provocative political commentary.
But, another one of his films that’s also proved divisive is currently available on Netflix for just a few more days.
We’re, of course, talking about his 2023 anxiety-driven horror-comedy, Beau Is Afraid, led by a masterful performance by Joaquin Phoenix as a man driven to the brink of insanity by an impending visit to his mother and an unexpected tragedy.
This Kafkaesque fable baffled some audiences upon its release, while its unforgiving three-hour runtime also proved a challenge.
However, a passionate cult following have continued to sing its praises, insisting it’s well worth a watch before it leaves Netflix on Saturday, 23rd August.
One five-star Google review raved: “This film takes you through the nightmarish journey into all the different traumas that quite literally stay with the child for the rest of their life.
“Stunning. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea but for those that feel it, versus just seeing it, I know will agree...another masterpiece by Ari Aster.”
Another called it “absolutely wonderful” and a “cult classic in the making”.
“This maybe the single best movie I have ever seen,” they claimed.
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“I mean that sincerely. I say this because to even think of a movie like this is already a wild accomplishment, but to execute it this flawlessly and make 3 hours interesting to the extent that my mind never wandered off even once, is something rarely accomplished by film.
“I was glued to my TV wanting to see what creation was coming at me next.”
Praise continued on Letterboxd, where one user exclaimed: “This is f***ing insane. Every twenty minutes I had to check in with myself to be like ‘How did we get to this point’ because it’s non-stop psychotic thing after psychotic thing.
“This movie is balls-to-the-walls (literally at times!) Ari Aster insanity. Disgusting, hilarious, heartfelt, traumatic and most importantly: unique. No wonder it took him ten years to make this.”
And a final five-star review said: “Each rewatch just further cements this as one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
“One of the most intelligent psychologically ambitious and sophisticated horrors ever. In ten years when everyone is calling this a masterpiece just remember who was here first, trapped in this nightmare. Ari Aster’s Best to date.”
Will you be carving out some time for a three-hour fever dream before Beau Is Afraid leaves Netflix?
Beau Is Afraid is available to stream on Netflix until Saturday, 23rd August.