Ari Aster, The Genius Behind ‘Hereditary’, Has Made Even Wilder Movies
As a filmmaker, Ari Aster is completely unique in the modern era of cinema. His voice is distinctive, and his movies always generate strong reactions from viewers. This fact hold true even looking back to his earliest short films.
Ari Aster burst onto the scene in 2018 with the release of Hereditary. That movie is amazing, and the releases of Midsommar and Beau is Afraid in 2019 and 2023 respectively showed new sides of the director’s personality. A deep dive into the short films he made before his feature-film career took off gives us an even better picture of Aster as an artist.
What follows is a brief overview of Ari Asters filmography from his latest feature, Beau is Afraid, to his earliest short film from 2008. You’ll see themes of disturbing family dynamics, paranoia, and a healthy dose of eye-rolling comedy.
Beau is Afraid (2023)
Described by Aster himself as a “nightmare comedy,” Beau is Afraid takes a sharp detour from the movies that he made in the previous few years. With its dream logic, its never-ending sense of doom, and its abundance of outrageously goofy humor, Beau is Afraid best represents Ari Aster as a filmmaker.
Midsommar (2019)
As a followup to Hereditary, Midsommar feels like it could be a companion piece to the 2018 film. Similar themes of familial trauma and grief run throughout, and Aster’s meticulous attention to detail is on full display in both. Midsommar didn’t just disturb audiences. Star Florence Pugh recently made comments about how the dark places she went to for her character left her “broken” long after filming was complete.
Hereditary (2018)
Likely Aster’s best film, Hereditary grabs a hold of the audience in the opening scene, and it never lets go. The story of a generational trauma and occult practices is so smartly crafted that it leaves viewers wondering how much of the characters’ inner conflict came from demonic influence, and how much came from the natural resentment of years of abuse.
C’est la Vie (2016)
C’est la Vie is a character-driven short film starring Bradley Fisher as Chester Crummings, a homeless man who shares his angry opinions as he talks directly to the audience. The mood becomes more somber as Chester’s diatribe gives way to an emotional finale as he shares more about himself and how he came to be where he is in life.
The Turtle’s Head (2014)
The Turtle’s Head begins as a send-up of private eye movies, but it quickly takes a detour into absurd comedy. Richard Riehle is Detective Bing Shooster, and the latter half of this short film is all about Riehle increasing desperation to find a cure for his rapidly shrinking manhood.
Basically (2013)
Basically is made in the same style as C’est la Vie, with a focus on a single character who talks directly to the audience. In this short, Hollywood actress Shandy (Rachel Brosnahan) discusses various aspects of her life, displaying Ari Aster’s ability to create characters who have surprising depth despite being initially unlikable.
Munchausen (2013)
Munchausen is a short film about a mother’s love taken way too far. Bonnie Bedelia (Holly in Die Hard) plays a woman who is so afraid of losing her son when he becomes engaged that she takes tragically drastic actions. A major theme in Ari Aster’s work, the relationship between a mother and her son, is at the forefront here.
Beau (2011)
Though, according to Ari Aster, Beau is Afraid is not technically a remake of Beau, the idea for his 2023 definitely began here. The title character, Beau, has plans to visit his mother, but he can’t go on the trip when his paranoia about someone being out to get him becomes overwhelming.
TDF Really Works (2011)
The short TDF Really Works feels like a joke more than a serious attempt at making something meaningful. It’s a parody of infomercials that, when you hear what “TDF” stands for, is either going to make you laugh or turn it off depending on your particular sense of humor. Be warned, it’s NSFW.
The Strange Thing About the Johnsons (2011)
Of all of Ari Aster’s short films, The Strange Thing About the Johnsons is the most uncomfortable. The subject matter revolves around a disturbing relationship between a father and his son, but the dynamics involved might be surprising. The overall tone also feels like a precursor to Beau is Afraid.
Herman’s Cure-All Tonic (2008)
Herman’s Cure-All Tonic plays with some of the body horror that Aster would incorporate in different ways in his feature films, and it also features dark family interactions. The story of this short is about a meek pharmacy worker who discovers a disgusting new way to create his store’s best-selling health tonic.
