The soundtrack for the 2023 American surrealist psychological horror film Beau Is Afraid was composed by Bobby Krlic, an English electronic musician known professionally as The Haxan Cloak. The film, written and directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, features Krlic's original score prominently in establishing its unsettling and anxious atmosphere.
Krlic's score for Beau Is Afraid is characterized by its blend of orchestral arrangements with experimental electronic textures and unsettling sound design. It frequently employs dissonant strings, deep synthesizers, and abstract percussive elements to mirror the protagonist Beau's highly paranoid and deteriorating mental state as he embarks on a hallucinatory journey to his mother's home. The music oscillates between moments of profound dread, escalating tension, and a darkly comedic surrealism that complements the film's unique tone.
The soundtrack was released digitally by A24 Music on April 21, 2023, coinciding with the film's theatrical release. The score was generally well-received by critics, who noted its effectiveness in enhancing the film's psychological depth and contributing to its pervasive sense of unease and absurdity. It is often cited as a key element in the film's immersive and disorienting experience. This collaboration marked Krlic's second time working with Ari Aster, having previously scored Aster's 2019 film Midsommar.