Ari Aster is expert at creating an uncomfortable ambiance in his horror movies, reminiscent of Hereditary and Midsommar. The characters he develops seem like in a state of perpetual shock, their actions sluggish and the digicam specializing in their wide-eyed expressions. The director’s goal is to make the scares in his movies relatable, tapping into our fears of existential dread. Aster’s newest mission, Beau Is Afraid, starring Joaquin Phoenix, takes this idea to its excessive, with weird and disturbing scenes that problem the viewer to remain engaged. Whereas Aster acknowledges that his work is divisive, he insists that he by no means got down to alienate anybody. His private life is nicely documented, however he’s cautious throughout interviews, fastidiously watching what he says. Aster’s success has been sudden, together with his debut movie, Hereditary, turning into the highest-grossing launch of indie studio A24. His strategy to working with actors is immersive, and he finds that many performers are desperate to discover their characters deeply.
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