Frustrating, artistic, tedious, inventive, and overlong, Beau is Afraid is the definition of "not for everyone" cinema. It’s also a movie that’s hard to really describe (let alone review). First things first, this is not a straight horror piece like director Ari Aster’s previous works (Hereditary and Midsommar). I mean, sure, there’s horror to be found here, but there’s also a surprising amount of dark humour. So, is it a comedy? Err, not really. It’s more of a psychological odyssey drama... I think. You know what, the fact that it can’t be narrowed down makes it unique in and of itself. Listen, the story is equal parts surreal and confounding. It’s sometimes exhilarating, and sometimes stomach churning. It’s manic at turns, and a bore at others. But, at the end of the day, it’s a journey you won’t soon forget. And for his part, Joaquin Phoenix is especially committed to the insanity. Between this and 2019’s Joker, he’s really got the “mamma’s boy” character down. Equally great is Patti LuPone, who goes exquisitely large and in charge as Beau’s mom. Performances aside, the movie’s script is also loaded (overstuffed, really) with social commentaries. Unfortunately, they aren’t all easily decipherable. In fact, the last hour is pretty much a challenge to understand. But any way you shake, Beau is Afraid is going to be unlike anything you’ll see this year. And that’s gotta count for something, right?