Filmmaker Ari Aster shared that his father advised him to stop writing movies after the disappointing box office results of his third feature, Beau Is Afraid. The conversation took place during an interview on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast while Aster was promoting his new film, Eddington, which is currently playing in theaters. The discussion highlighted the intense and anxious tone of Aster’s work, particularly as seen in Beau Is Afraid.
Behind the Mixed Reception of ‘Beau Is Afraid’
Beau Is Afraid is a three-hour film driven by discomfort and paranoia, starring Joaquin Phoenix as a man whose life is overshadowed by his complicated relationship with his mother. Unlike Aster’s earlier successes, the film struggled at the box office and received divided critical responses. Despite this, Aster expressed appreciation for those who supported the film.
“I was pretty sad that it was, like, so maligned,”
Aster said.
“There are a lot of people who reached out to tell me that they loved it, and I really, that helped, but yeah, no, it was a bummer because it was a huge, you know, it lost money, and critically, I wouldn’t say it was, like, reviled, but it was definitely, like, there was no consensus whatsoever.”
—Ari Aster, filmmaker
Family Perspectives on Aster’s Film Themes
During the interview, Aster also discussed how his parents reacted to his work, particularly given the recurring theme of strained parental relationships in his films. He revealed that while his mother is supportive of his movies despite their dark content, his father was less encouraging after Beau Is Afraid failed commercially.
“She’s very supportive. I think, you know, certain things she likes more than others … I’m lucky in that sense,”
Aster shared.
“When ‘Beau Is Afraid’ flopped, my dad did tell me, ‘Uh, maybe you shouldn’t write the next one.’ He might’ve been right.”
—Ari Aster, filmmaker
Box Office Performance Compared to Earlier Films
Ari Aster’s career began strongly with two commercially successful films under A24. His debut, Hereditary, earned nearly $90 million on a $10 million budget, while Midsommar grossed almost $50 million against a $9 million budget. However, the studio’s gamble on the more experimental and lengthy Beau Is Afraid did not pay off, with the film’s $35 million production cost eclipsing its box office returns, which amounted to just over a third of that budget.
Reflections on Creative Choices and Audience Reception
Ari Aster reflected on some of the choices he made in crafting Beau Is Afraid, acknowledging that certain comedic and stylistic elements might have alienated viewers. He described these elements as intentionally “exhausting” and “deflating,” designed to serve the film’s unsettling atmosphere but potentially contributing to its limited appeal.
“All these things you take away after you release a film and you’re like, OK, it’s out of my hands now, I can’t really avoid people’s reactions, responses,”
he said.
“It’s like, you know, you kind of learn something … No matter what the response, you’re proud of for sticking with [decisions you made], and then certain things where you’re like, ‘Eh, I’m not sure if it was like worth losing that much of the audience for that decision.’”
—Ari Aster, filmmaker
He later admitted,
“Yeah, like, I think I ejected, like, a number of people from the theater, I could’ve used them.”
—Ari Aster, filmmaker
Significance of Aster’s Journey and Future Possibilities
Ari Aster’s experience with Beau Is Afraid underscores the tensions between creative risk-taking and commercial success in contemporary filmmaking. His willingness to explore deeply personal and unsettling themes resonates with some audiences but challenges broader market appeal. The comments from his father reflect the real pressures artists face when their projects don’t find expected success, even as Aster continues to evolve with new work like Eddington.
As Aster moves forward, the reception of his latest film and his reflections on past responses will likely inform his creative choices, balancing his artistic vision with audience engagement. The intense themes that characterize his films promise continued exploration of complex emotional landscapes, keeping viewers engaged while occasionally provoking discomfort and divided opinions.
