Beau Is Afraid is doing pretty darn well at the box office for a limited release. The critics have spoken, including our own review of Ari Aster’s new film, and there’s no denying that Beau Is Afraid is a doozy. The acclaimed filmmaker responsible for the hit films Hereditary and Midsommar has extended his reach with the great Joaquin Phoenix in a tale that follows the paranoid titular man as he embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother. It’s a bold and ingeniously depraved adventure.
We recently caught up with co-star Kylie Rogers, who plays young Toni in the film. Toni is the conflicted daughter of oddball parents played by Amy Ryan (Beautiful Boy) and Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building). The family essentially kidnaps Beau in the film, thereby occupying most of the quite memorable second act. Rogers dished on her epic scenes with Joaquin Phoenix, plus her experience co-starring on Paramount’s acclaimed series Yellowstone thus far. Read our exclusive interview below.
‘If Dennis Hopper Had a TikTok’
MW: What sparked your interest in joining this project?
Kylie Rogers: Ari has always been one of my favorite directors. I think he creates such beautifully weird, horrific things. So I was so excited that Ari Aster was doing it. And Joaquin Phoenix was starring, so that’s like a dream team […] But then also reading the character description [for Toni], that was my favorite thing. It said, “Toni is like if Dennis Hopper had a TikTok.” And I thought that was the funniest thing ever.
Kylie Rogers: The car scene was the first audition, and I was like, “Oh, I’m so mean!” I thought I was talking to a little boy because it didn’t explain anything about the script. I was like, “Oh, I’m like bullying this child.” And then, I got a callback, and they added the big paint scene. And then I was like, “Oh, I’m talking to Joaquin, not a little boy.” I think honestly, just seeing how unhinged the character was and how sort of crazy she was, it made me so excited for it because I’ve always wanted to do someone who’s just balls to the walls, just all in.
MW: Could you talk about that epic paint scene? I heard Joaquin Phoenix had a funny reaction to you while filming.
Kylie Rogers: When we first started filming the scene, we would only do up to a [certain] point, when I throw actual paint on the wall. And that’s kind of when the scene really escalates and when it really gets crazy. So we would go up until that point every time, right before I throw the paint.
Kylie Rogers: And then finally, when we got to where I was going to throw the paint, and we were just going to continue on with the scene, and I was gonna throw and scream. And then I said my next line, which I think is like, “You failed your stupid tests,” and I like scream it, and it was the first time I’d really screamed in that scene. And I think it startled Joaquin a little bit. And then he sort of, he didn’t like forget his line, but he was just kind of like, “What? Oh…” It was such a moment of like, “Oh s***!” And I’m like, “I startled Joaquin Phoenix in a scene! That’s cool.”
MW: Amy Ryan and Nathan Lane play your parents. What was it like working with them?
Kylie Rogers: Working with them was always so much fun. Amy is an angel. She’s so cute, and she’s such a sweet creature. And Nathan is just the funniest person ever. Every single time we would film, everyone would be laughing with Nathan. He’s so funny. He came up with the best stuff, on the spot. I think like when [my character is] very first introduced, I walk away, and he kind of shakes his head and is like, “That little a**hole.” And I could be wrong, but I’m almost positive that was improvised. And it was the funniest thing. He’s so good. It was just such a great time working with both of them, and they’re so talented.
MW: Are there other projects that you’re currently working on?
Kylie Rogers: Right now, I’m working on Yellowstone, it’s in the works. And then in August, I actually have another movie coming out that I did with Cory Finley, Asante Blackk, Josh Hamilton, Tiffany Haddish, [Beau Is Afraid co-star] Michael Gandolfini… [It’s called] Landscape with Invisible Hands. I love that movie. I think there’s no other movie like it, just like Beau Is Afraid, and I’m so proud of it.
Kylie Rogers on Starring in Yellowstone Since the Beginning
MW: Yellowstone is so iconic at this point. What’s it been like working on the show thus far?
Kylie Rogers: It’s been great. I’ve been on it since season one, so I’ve really grown like with the show and the character. It’s such a beautiful set and cast and crew. I only work with the flashback people, so I haven’t met everyone, but I do love everyone. Everyone’s so talented. The show’s crazy. I love Kelly Riley. I love getting to play “young Beth,” I love the character of Beth. So getting to play young Beth is such a dream.
MW: Going from playing a character like Beth in Yellowstone to the more explosive Toni in Beau Is Afraid, is there a type of character you enjoy playing the most?
Kylie Rogers: I don’t have too much of a preference. I do really enjoy playing explosive characters who are sort of like so different from how I am. It’s just kind of fun for me to do things and say things I would never do or say and just kind of get to be this person for a couple of months. I think it’s so fun […] My character in Landscape with Invisible Hands is much more mild and even-toned. And I had as much fun playing her, but I do love getting down into the nitty-gritty.
From A24, Beau Is Afraid is now in theaters.
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