Unveiling the Underrated Brilliance: Why Fans of Beau Is Afraid Mustn't Miss Martin Scorsese’s Hidden Gem Nightmare Comedy

Thanks to A24, the leading film studio for hipster culture in the present era, there has been a resurgence of the "nightmare comedy" genre. Over the past ten years, this prolific company has supported and empowered filmmakers, resulting in a plethora of anxiety-inducing films from notable directors such as the Safdie brothers (known for Good Time in 2017 and Uncut Gems in 2019) and the talented writer/director Ari Aster, who recently crafted Beau is Afraid.

Ari Aster, the creative force behind Hereditary in 2018 and Midsommar in 2019, has once again astonished audiences with his third film, best described as a nightmare comedy. This distinctive subgenre of horror delves into the complexities of the human condition (Good Time explores themes of brotherly love, while Beau is Afraid explores the depths of motherly love) by utilizing a surreal and distorted perspective. The narrative takes unexpected twists and turns, ensuring that the audience remains disoriented. Although it may not be the most mainstream genre, it is undeniably one of the most thrilling and has captivated cinematic visionaries, with its origins influenced by the master himself.

What is 'Beau is Afraid' About?

What is 'After Hours' About?

- Joaquin Phoenix's character, Beau Wasserman, is getting ready to visit his mother, Mona, on the anniversary of his father's passing. Unfortunately, just as he is about to leave his rundown apartment, his keys are unexpectedly taken from him, leaving him trapped inside. Throughout a long and agonizing night, Beau desperately tries to contact his mother, only to reach a UPS driver who delivers the devastating news that Mona has passed away. Consumed by guilt, Beau resolves to make it back home for his mother's funeral, embarking on a chaotic journey filled with unpredictable misadventures in his quest to reach his destination. While not an exact replica, the core storyline of the film shares similarities with Martin Scorsese's 1985 dark comedy, "After Hours," albeit a more streamlined version of Beau's harrowing experience.

Scorsese faced difficulties after the financial failure of his film "The King of Comedy" in 1982. This setback made him question the direction of his career. However, he rebounded and defied the Hollywood system with an independent cult classic called "After Hours." The film was well-received upon its release and has gained even more popularity since then, especially with the recent remastered version by the Criterion Collection.

Considered one of Scorsese's most overlooked works, "After Hours" revolves around a computer word processor named Paul Hackett, brilliantly portrayed by Griffin Dunne. Paul's mundane job reflects his isolated life. One evening, after another typical day at work, Paul meets Marcy, played by Rosanna Arquette, in a diner. Marcy, a mysterious young woman, informs him that her roommate is selling plaster-of-Paris paperweights and encourages him to inquire. Intrigued, Paul takes Marcy's number and, with thoughts other than paperweights on his mind, calls her to say he is heading to her place in the SoHo district. This is where his journey, filled with dreamlike or nightmarish elements, mirrors Beau's experience.

How are 'Beau is Afraid' and 'After Hours' Similar?

When discussing the connections between Beau is Afraid and After Hours, it is essential to start by examining the texts that serve as their inspiration. Aster characterizes his film as "Kafkaesque" due to the continuous stream of unfortunate and inexplicable events that befall its protagonist. This is the same term that critics employed to describe After Hours upon its release. Both films also draw evident influence from Greek mythology (similar to another recent nightmarish masterpiece from a true auteur) and revolve around stories of men who dedicate themselves to a singular goal, only to be unpredictably manipulated by external forces. The progression of their plots is determined by nearly impossible coincidences, as they rapidly shift from one scene to another, complemented by fluid camerawork and intense music. Additionally, both works embrace the potential pitfall of prioritizing style over substance, yet they ingeniously repurpose this concept by employing style itself as a form of substance. However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily imply a shared stylistic approach between the two films.

How are 'Beau is Afraid' and 'After Hours' Different?

In fact, the two films differ significantly in terms of style. Beau is Afraid takes its time, running for just under 3 hours, while After Hours moves at a rapid pace. As usual, Aster embraces the bizarre nature of his narratives, whereas Scorsese allows his story to unfold in a realm that closely resembles reality. The events in After Hours may seem entirely nonsensical, but they could realistically occur, no matter how unlikely. On the other hand, Beau is Afraid immerses itself in a fantastical world, even though it depicts a setting that eerily resembles our own. The list of comparisons goes on, but it's crucial to appreciate each film individually for their complexity. Both directors required miracles to bring their subversive visions to life, which in itself infuses their work with a profound creative force that few films can match. Now, we await the verdict as Beau is Afraid aims to attain the same cult classic status as After Hours, a possibility that seems inevitable given its polarizing reception.