Hi all! 

Today I am ranking all of Ari Aster’s’ films. His particular directing style is moody, slow-paced and tense. The movies listed below display a strong affinity for psychological horror, morbid family drama and a penchant for dysfunctional relationships. Ari for me is a bit of a hit-or-miss director. I either die-hard love what he puts out or flat-out hate it. Having said that, I am seated for whatever he releases next. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

 This post is in partnership with JustWatch. 

1.) Midsommar 

My favourite Ari Aster film is Midsommar. In fact, it’s in my top 50 favourite horror movies of all time. 

‘A couple travel to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown for its fabled festival, but what begins as an idyllic retreat, quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.’

This feature goes for over two hours and yet, not a second feels wasted. Florence Pugh’s performance is mesmerising and the story is consistent the entire way through. Ari did an excellent job building tension; giving viewers just enough information to know something is sorely amiss. The visuals are outstanding, the horror is top tier and the ending, bleak. I think it is a perfect film and a true highlight of Aster’s filmography.

 

2.) Hereditary 

In second place, we have Hereditary. I know it’s most people’s number one, but it’s not mine. 

‘When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, trying to outrun the sinister fate they have inherited.’

I will never look at a telephone pole the same way again! Toni Collette’s acting is some of the best I’ve ever seen and by the end, she’s truly terrifying. Unfortunately, the ending was a bit of a let down. It was too bizarre for me. However, everything before it, was excellent. One of the scariest horror movies I’ve ever seen. I understand why it’s Ari’s most notable. Tongue click!

 

3.) Eddington 

In third place, we have Eddington. This is a very divisive film amongst the fandom. 

‘During the COVID-19 pandemic, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbour is pitted against neighbour in Eddington, N.M.’

I honestly did not mind Eddington. I understand some saw it as tone-deaf. However, Ari was clearly very intentional in what he was trying to portray. He wanted to highlight the worst people that came out of the pandemic and he achieved that. Was it triggering to be taken back to that awful time in history? Yes, but that just made it more effective. The plot does start to lose steam halfway through – then ramps up toward the end, with a shocking conclusion. I recommend checking it out and making up your own mind. Bonus points for Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix’s performances. 

 

4.) Beau Is Afraid 

Last, but not least, we have Beau Is Afraid. This may just be one of the worst films I’ve ever seen…

‘Beau is the mild-mannered and paranoid son of businesswoman, Mona Wassermann. However, things change when his mother passes away and he embarks on a surreal journey home to attend her funeral.’

This movie is 3 hours long and trust me, the runtime is noticeable. I was engaged in the first quarter and then it became so silly, weird and ridiculous, I completely checked out. Beau Is Afraid is a good example of what I call ‘bad strange’ – when a movie is so wacky, it just doesn’t work. I think Joaquin was phenonemal as always but the material he had to work with was pure nonsense. The reveal of his father was when I realised Ari Aster had completely lost the plot. I hope he never makes a feature like it again.

 

Thank you so much for reading! How would rank Ari’s films?

Peace & Love xoxo