Topzle Topzle

Ari Aster

Updated: Wikipedia source

Ari Aster

Ari Aster (born July 15, 1986) is an American filmmaker. His films are noted for their unsettling combination of dark comedy, horror, and graphic violence. After garnering some recognition for writing and directing the short horror film The Strange Thing About the Johnsons (2011) as part of his studies at the AFI Conservatory, he became widely known for writing and directing the horror films Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), establishing himself in the genre of elevated horror. Aster co-founded the production company Square Peg with Danish producer Lars Knudsen in 2019. He pivoted away from horror by writing, directing, and producing the surrealist comedy-drama film Beau Is Afraid (2023) and the neo-Western thriller film Eddington (2025). Both films received positive reviews but failed to recoup their budgets at the box office.

Infobox

Born
(1986-07-15) July 15, 1986 (age 39)New York City, U.S.
Education
Santa Fe University of Art and Design (BFA)American Film Institute (MFA)
Occupation
Filmmaker
Years active
2008–present

Tables

· Filmography › Feature films
2018
Hereditary
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2019
Midsommar
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2023
Beau Is Afraid
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2025
Eddington
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Producer
Ref.
2018
Hereditary
Yes
Yes
No
2019
Midsommar
Yes
Yes
No
2023
Beau Is Afraid
Yes
Yes
Yes
2025
Eddington
Yes
Yes
Yes
· Filmography › Short films
2008
Herman's Cure-All Tonic
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
2011
The Strange Thing About the Johnsons
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
TDF Really Works
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Beau
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2013
Munchausen
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2014
Basically
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
The Turtle's Head
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2016
C'est la vie
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Editor
Actor
Ref.
2008
Herman's Cure-All Tonic
Yes
No
No
No
2011
The Strange Thing About the Johnsons
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
TDF Really Works
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Beau
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2013
Munchausen
Yes
Yes
No
No
2014
Basically
Yes
Yes
No
No
The Turtle's Head
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
2016
C'est la vie
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
· Filmography › Producer
2021
Los Huesos
Role(s)
Exec.
2023
Dream Scenario
Role(s)
Yes
El Padre Bueno
Role(s)
Exec.
2024
Sasquatch Sunset
Role(s)
Exec.
Rumours
Role(s)
Exec.
2025
Death of a Unicorn
Role(s)
Exec.
Bugonia
Role(s)
Yes
2026
The Drama
Role(s)
Yes
TBA
Role(s)
Antarctica
Notes
Yes
Bushido
Role(s)
Yes
Untitled Death Stranding film
Role(s)
Exec.
Hansel & Gretel
Role(s)
Exec.
Primetime
Role(s)
Exec.
The Looming
Role(s)
Exec.
Enemies
Role(s)
Yes
Year
Title
Producer
Ref.
2021
Los Huesos
Exec.
2023
Dream Scenario
Yes
El Padre Bueno
Exec.
2024
Sasquatch Sunset
Exec.
Rumours
Exec.
2025
Death of a Unicorn
Exec.
Bugonia
Yes
2026
The Drama
Yes
TBA
Antarctica
Yes
Bushido
Yes
Untitled Death Stranding film
Exec.
Hansel & Gretel
Exec.
Primetime
Exec.
The Looming
Exec.
Enemies
Yes
· Reception
2018
Hereditary
Role(s)
90% (384 ratings)
Notes
87 (49 reviews)
2019
Midsommar
Role(s)
83% (411 ratings)
Notes
72 (54 reviews)
2023
Beau Is Afraid
Role(s)
68% (271 ratings)
Notes
63 (51 reviews)
2025
Eddington
Role(s)
68% (221 ratings)
Notes
64 (44 reviews)
Year
Film
Rotten Tomatoes
Metacritic
Budget
Box office
2018
Hereditary
90% (384 ratings)
87 (49 reviews)
$10 million
$90 million
2019
Midsommar
83% (411 ratings)
72 (54 reviews)
$9 million
$48 million
2023
Beau Is Afraid
68% (271 ratings)
63 (51 reviews)
$35 million
$12 million
2025
Eddington
68% (221 ratings)
64 (44 reviews)
$25 million
$13 million
· Awards and nominations
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Date of ceremony
December 8, 2018
Category
Most Promising Filmmaker
Work
Hereditary
Result
Won
Boston Society of Film Critics
Boston Society of Film Critics
Award
Boston Society of Film Critics
Date of ceremony
December 16, 2018
Category
Best New Filmmaker
Work
Runner-up
Gotham Awards
Gotham Awards
Award
Gotham Awards
Date of ceremony
November 26, 2018
Category
Breakthrough Director
Work
Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards
Independent Spirit Awards
Award
Independent Spirit Awards
Date of ceremony
February 23, 2019
Category
Best First Feature
Work
Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Award
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Date of ceremony
February 25, 2019
Category
Best Director
Work
Won
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Date of ceremony
Won
Gotham Awards
Gotham Awards
Award
Gotham Awards
Date of ceremony
December 2, 2019
Category
Best Screenplay
Work
Midsommar
Result
Nominated
Indiana Film Journalists Association
Indiana Film Journalists Association
Award
Indiana Film Journalists Association
Date of ceremony
December 17, 2023
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Work
Beau is Afraid
Result
Nominated
Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
Award
Cannes Film Festival
Date of ceremony
24 May 2025
Category
Palme d'Or
Work
Eddington
Result
Nominated
Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Work
Result
Ref.
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
December 8, 2018
Most Promising Filmmaker
Hereditary
Won
Boston Society of Film Critics
December 16, 2018
Best New Filmmaker
Runner-up
Gotham Awards
November 26, 2018
Breakthrough Director
Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards
February 23, 2019
Best First Feature
Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
February 25, 2019
Best Director
Won
Best Screenplay
Won
Gotham Awards
December 2, 2019
Best Screenplay
Midsommar
Nominated
Indiana Film Journalists Association
December 17, 2023
Best Adapted Screenplay
Beau is Afraid
Nominated
Cannes Film Festival
24 May 2025
Palme d'Or
Eddington
Nominated

References

  1. The Forward
    https://forward.com/schmooze/403216/how-did-a-neurotic-jewish-guy-make-the-horror-hit-hereditary/
  2. AllMovie
    https://www.allmovie.com/artist/ari-aster-p442993
  3. Indiewire
    https://www.indiewire.com/2018/06/hereditary-ari-aster-interview-inspiration-history-1201972348/
  4. The Verge
    https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/7/17427554/hereditary-director-ari-aster-interview-toni-collette
  5. The Guardian
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190701214245/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jun/28/horror-director-ari-aster-hereditary-midsommar-terrors
  6. Times of Israel
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/director-ari-asters-debut-film-is-scarily-good-and-that-might-be-a-problem/
  7. Flaunt Magazine
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201001235542/https://flaunt.com/content/ari-aster-hereditary
  8. The Washington Post
    https://archive.today/20250718171102/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2025/07/18/ari-aster-eddington-movie/
  9. www.flaunt.com
    https://www.flaunt.com/blog/ari-aster-hereditary
  10. Filmmaker.Com
    https://filmmakermagazine.com/105477-complicated-grief/
  11. "FROM HERE TO HEREDITARY An interview with writer-director Ari Aster"
    https://alibi.com/film/56121/From-Here-to-Hereditary.html
  12. Far Out Magazine
    https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/a-collection-of-ari-asters-horror-movie-recommendations/
  13. Hereditary
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180614055610/https://alibi.com/film/56121/From-Here-to-Hereditary.html
  14. Motion Picture Association of America
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180704123336/https://www.mpaa.org/2018/06/writer-director-ari-aster-on-his-terrifying-debut-hereditary/
  15. IndieWire
    http://www.indiewire.com/2011/11/the-strange-thing-about-the-johnsons-director-ari-aster-talks-to-shadow-act-about-his-provocative-controversial-short-film-149735/
  16. "Complicated Grief: Ari Aster on Hereditary's Family Nightmare"
    https://filmmakermagazine.com/105477-complicated-grief/#.W4ltFej-hPY
  17. Short of the Week
    https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/08/10/the-strange-thing-about-the-johnsons/
  18. The Salt Lake Tribune
    https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/movies/2017/12/19/a-horror-thriller-filmed-in-utah-is-among-the-additions-to-2018-sundance-film-festival-line-up/
  19. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/30/hereditary-trailer-film-sundance-toni-collette
  20. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/oceans-8-satisfying-but-slight/
  21. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/hereditary-movie-review-scariest-movie-of-2018-w521098
  22. American Film
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190912233402/http://blog.afi.com/afi-alum-ari-aster-on-his-terrifying-personal-new-film-midsommar/
  23. Time Out
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190620024851/https://www.timeout.com/us/film/midsommar
  24. IndieWire
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190619133728/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/06/midsommar-review-1202151115/
  25. filmlinc.org
    https://www.filmlinc.org/daily/scary-movies-xii-lineup-features-villains-ready-or-not-directors-cut-of-midsommar-more/
  26. www.hollywoodreporter.com
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/gotham-award-winners-2019-list-full-1258785/item/best-feature-1258788
  27. Hereditary
    https://deadline.com/2019/06/hereditary-director-ari-aster-launch-square-peg-producer-lars-knudsen-midsommar-1202635495/
  28. Daily Nexus
    https://dailynexus.com/2020-06-01/a-s-program-board-presents-ask-ari-aster/
  29. Disappointment Blvd.
    https://deadline.com/2021/02/a24-ari-asters-disappointment-blvd-joaquin-phoenix-1234696364/
  30. www.rottentomatoes.com
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beau_is_afraid
  31. "Everything to Know About Ari Aster's 'Beau Is Afraid' Starring Joaquin Phoenix"
    https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/beau-is-afraid-plot-details-cast-release-date/
  32. Box Office Mojo
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt13521006/
  33. A24 Expands Strategy From Arthouse Gems to More Commercial Films | Exclusive
    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/a24-expands-strategy-arthouse-gems-130000940.html
  34. Ari Aster wtf podcast interview
    https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1664-ari-aster
  35. Ari Aster Reflects on the Failure of ‘Beau Is Afraid’: “I Would Probably Tighten That Last Hour”
    https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/7/28/xnvwkwvtb1q5x3vjq2k9pfivp32ulb
  36. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2021/03/a24-ari-aster-lars-knudsen-emily-hildner-square-peg-first-look-tv-deal-1234719188/
  37. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2022/08/nicolas-cage-a24-dream-scenario-ari-aster-producing-1235103769/
  38. Indiewire
    https://www.indiewire.com/2023/04/ari-aster-film-seems-to-be-dying-1234830955/
  39. Variety
    https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ari-aster-eddington-cast-joaquin-phoenix-emma-stone-austin-butler-pedro-pascal-1235939668/
  40. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/film/global/ari-aster-eddington-efm-a24-cannes-debut-1236292362/
  41. festival-cannes.com
    https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/2025/ari-aster-explores-a-fractured-america-in-eddington/
  42. "'Eddington' Review: Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal Square Off in Ari Aster's Brazenly Provocative Western Thriller, Set During the Pandemic the Film Says Made America Lose Its Mind"
    https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/eddington-review-joaquin-phoenix-pedro-pascal-ari-aster-1236400006/
  43. Midsommar
    https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/8rbjj7/hi_im_ari_aster_writerdirector_of_hereditary_ama/e0q1wjc/?context=3
  44. Inverse
    https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/57273-ari-aster-midsommar-interview
  45. "Ari Aster - Happy Sad Confused"
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-aster/id827905050?i=1000444627259
  46. Eddington
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=YROSq5lXUi0
  47. The Playlist
    https://theplaylist.net/ari-aster-eddington-dark-western-joaquin-phoenix-20230419/
  48. Le Cinéma Club
    https://www.lecinemaclub.com/journal/qa-with-ari-aster/
  49. "Twitter"
    https://x.com/Thisisntflying/status/1830078024579961258
  50. IndieWire
    https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/don-hertzfeldt-ari-aster-movie-rumors-existential-horror-1234971896/
  51. Slate
    https://slate.com/culture/2024/10/me-movie-don-hertzfeldt-arcade-fire-taylor-swift.html
  52. The Horizon Sun
    https://thehorizonsun.com/showcase/2023/05/11/ari-aster-and-the-horror-genre/
  53. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618975688/director-ari-aster-says-hereditary-is-a-family-drama-at-its-core
  54. Vox
    https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/7/2/18744431/ari-aster-midsommar-interview-spoilers
  55. "On Death Cults and Bordered Utopias: Ari Aster's Midsommar"
    https://blindfieldjournal.com/2019/11/06/on-death-cults-and-bordered-utopias-ari-asters-midsommar/
  56. WGLT
    https://www.wglt.org/2025-07-17/ari-asters-eddington-takes-the-tension-of-the-pandemic-to-a-violent-end
  57. Hereditary
    https://deadline.com/2018/01/ari-aster-hereditary-agency-wme-signing-sundance-1202266806/
  58. Hereditary
    https://deadline.com/2018/07/hereditary-a24-highest-grossing-worldwide-movie-box-office-1202433883/
  59. Hereditary
    https://deadline.com/2018/05/ari-aster-hereditary-a24-commitment-next-horror-film-1202385437/
  60. Midsommar
    https://deadline.com/2019/04/midsommar-ari-aster-moves-to-midsummer-release-cinemacon-1202587868/
  61. Eddington
    https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/austin-butler-ari-aster-eddington-wild-adventure-1235018219/
  62. No film School
    https://nofilmschool.com/2018/06/watch-early-short-films-hereditary-director-ari-aster
  63. Vimeo
    https://vimeo.com/155016328
  64. Film at Lincoln Center
    https://www.filmlinc.org/series/nyff51-shorts-programs/
  65. "The Bones (2021)|MUBI"
    https://mubi.com/films/the-bones
  66. ET Canada
    https://web.archive.org/web/20221101175303/https://etcanada.com/news/940823/nicolas-cage-goes-bald-for-new-comedy-shoot-in-toronto/
  67. AFI
    http://localhost:1864/movie/el-padre-bueno
  68. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2023/12/sasquatch-sunset-movie-zellner-brothers-bleecker-street-1235652700/
  69. Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook
    https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/07/21/paul-rudd-jenn-ortega-death-unicorn-filming-hungary
  70. "Yorgos Lanthimos Sets Remake of Korean Fantasy Film 'Save the Green Planet' With 'Poor Things' Producer Element Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)"
    https://variety.com/2024/film/news/yorgos-lanthimos-save-the-green-planet-remake-poor-things-element-pictures-1235911856/
  71. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2024/05/bugonia-yorgos-lanthimos-emma-stone-movie-focus-features-1235917675/
  72. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2024/08/zendaya-robert-pattinson-the-drama-movie-1236032136/
  73. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/film/news/zendaya-robert-pattinson-the-drama-release-date-a24-1236555076/
  74. Hiro Murai To Make Feature Debut With A24 Samurai Film ‘Bushido’
    https://deadline.com/2024/11/bushido-hiro-murai-to-direct-samurai-movie-a24-1236171384/
  75. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/04/a-quiet-place-day-one-michael-sarnoski-death-stranding-1236360094/
  76. "Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen's Square Peg Boards 'Hansel and Gretel' Stop-Motion Feature as Executive Producers (EXCLUSIVE)"
    https://variety.com/2024/film/global/square-peg-ari-aster-leon-cocina-animation-1236010359/
  77. Robert Pattinson, ‘Ren Faire’ Director Lance Oppenheim to Develop True Crime Film ‘Primetime’ for A24
    https://variety.com/2024/film/news/robert-pattinson-lance-oppenheim-primetime-film-a24-1236186760/
  78. "A24 Partners With 'Hereditary' And 'Talk To Me' Producers For Feature Adaptation Of Masha Ko's Sundance Short 'The Looming'"
    https://deadline.com/2024/05/a24-talk-to-me-team-masha-ko-sundance-the-looming-1235910190/
  79. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/05/jeremy-allen-white-austin-butler-enemies-1236396847/
  80. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hereditary
  81. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/movie/hereditary/critic-reviews/
  82. Box Office Mojo
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt7784604/
  83. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/midsommar
  84. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/movie/midsommar/critic-reviews/
  85. Box Office Mojo
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt8772262/
  86. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beau_is_afraid
  87. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/movie/beau-is-afraid/
  88. Box Office Mojo
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt13521006/
  89. www.rottentomatoes.com
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eddington
  90. www.metacritic.com
    https://www.metacritic.com/movie/eddington/
  91. Box Office Mojo
    https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt31176520/
  92. WordPress.com
    https://consequence.net/2018/12/chicago-film-critics-association-2018-winners/
  93. BSFC
    https://www.filmtrophies.com/boston-society-of-film-critics-awards-2018-if-beale-street-could-talk-selected-as-best-film/
  94. Variety
    https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gotham-awards-winners-list-2018-new-york-1203037073/
  95. "2018 Gotham Awards Nominations: 'The Favourite' and 'First Reformed' Lead the Pack"
    https://www.indiewire.com/2018/10/2018-gotham-awards-nominations-1202012918/
  96. "34th Film Independent Spirits Nominations Announced"
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/PressReleasesSA/2019_SA_NomineeOnesheet_111618.pdf
  97. Entertainment Weekly
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201108015012/https://ew.com/movies/2019/01/22/fangoria-chainsaw-awards/
  98. The A.V. Club
    https://www.avclub.com/screw-the-oscars-lets-see-who-got-nominated-for-a-fang-1831961481
  99. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/gotham-award-winners-2019-list-full-1258785/item/best-feature-1258788
  100. Midwest Film Journal
    https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2023/12/12/nominations-announced-for-the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-awards/
  101. Next Best Picture
    https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-ifja-winners/
  102. Festival de Cannes
    https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/the-films-of-the-official-selection-2025/
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.