10 Horror Movie Questions That Will Never Be Answered

Ari Aster's Beau Is Afraid plays out less like a movie, and more like a fever dream (or nightmare). 

After learning his mother, Mona, has been decapitated by a chandelier, the titular character makes his way back to his family home to put her body to rest. On his travels, Beau is met with an unrealistic level of hostility, with maniacs stabbing him, shooting him, or urging him to take part in a suicide pact. 

Through a series of flashbacks, it's evident Beau has rarely experienced joy, thanks to his manipulative mother. Mona told her son that his father died from a heart murmur the moment Beau was conceived. Since the condition is hereditary, Beau lives in constant fear, believing he'll suffer the same fate if he has sex.

During the film's literal climax, Beau is unable to control his urges and sleeps with his long-lost love, Elaine. As he orgasms, Beau is surprised to learn he's perfectly fine, indicating Mona lied about his condition to control him.

However, when Beau looks up, he sees Elaine has died in mid-orgasm.

But how? Did he manifest his fear into reality and pass it onto her? Did she simply die of a stroke? Or was it something else? Unfortunately, there is no answer.