WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Episode: 1664 - Ari Aster
Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: Marc Maron
Guest: Ari Aster, acclaimed film director known for Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid. His latest film, Eddington, is now in theaters.

Introduction

Marc Maron opens the episode with a brief, personal update about his involvement in The Bad Guys 2 and transitions into introducing his guest, Ari Aster. Marc shares his admiration for Ari's work and sets the stage for an in-depth conversation about Ari's filmmaking journey, creative processes, and the themes explored in his films.

Ari Aster's Background

Ari Aster provides insights into his early life and influences, highlighting a familial environment rich in the arts. His mother is a visual artist and poet, while his father is a jazz drummer who toured with the OJs (The Original Jazz Messengers). This artistic upbringing fostered Ari's appreciation for creativity and expression.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "My mother is a visual artist who is a poet... She’s been a poet for a long time."

Timestamp: [25:03]

Exploration of Ari Aster's Films

Hereditary and Midsommar

Marc and Ari delve into Ari's breakout films, Hereditary and Midsommar, discussing their unique approaches to horror. They highlight how Ari blends traditional horror elements with deep psychological and familial themes, creating films that are as emotionally unsettling as they are terrifying.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "In Hereditary, you're dealing with this family that is strained beyond understanding because of the mother's experience with her own mother and her mother's passing."

Timestamp: [37:08]

Beau Is Afraid

The conversation shifts to Ari's venture into comedy with Beau Is Afraid. Marc praises the film's blend of humor and horror, noting its complex structure and emotional depth. Ari discusses his intentions to infuse humor into his work without reducing his characters to mere objects of derision.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "I wanted the film to function as like a roller coaster ride of like, sympathy. Where everybody's complicated and maybe you understand them in a way you don't based on whatever your politics are."

Timestamp: [75:15]

Eddington

Ari introduces his latest project, Eddington, a departure from his typical horror genre. The film is set in a small town in New Mexico during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the psychological and societal impacts of the event. Marc highlights the film's exploration of propaganda and the fragility of community bonds.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "The film is really about a data center being built just outside of town... These people are killing each other based on a lot of the signals they're kind of receiving in this feedback system."

Timestamp: [70:18]

Themes in Ari Aster's Work

A recurring theme in Ari's films is the exploration of trauma, community dynamics, and the impact of external forces on individual psychology. Marc and Ari discuss how these themes are interwoven with genre-specific elements to create thought-provoking narratives.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "What I mean is, I'm trying to pull back as far as I can and take as sociological a stance as possible. Because I only have my subjective point of view."

Timestamp: [72:33]

Artistic Influences and Inspirations

Ari attributes much of his creative vision to his mother's critical approach to art and his father's improvisational skills in jazz. He also references influential works and filmmakers, such as Albert Brooks, Roy Andersson, and the underground comics of Dan Clowes, which have shaped his storytelling and comedic sensibilities.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "I have a lot of memories of seeing certain films with her in theaters that were, like, you know, formative... Mulholland Drive. Her favorite movie is Defending Your Life."

Timestamp: [31:05]

Personal Struggles and Anxiety

Both Marc and Ari openly discuss their battles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They explore how their mental health challenges influence their creative processes and personal lives, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and coping mechanisms.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "I'm very anxious and I'm given to, you know, catastrophic thinking."

Timestamp: [51:35]

Quote:
Marc Maron: "I just got diagnosed with obsessive anxiety... it's paralyzing."

Timestamp: [51:56]

Reception and Critical Response

Ari expresses mixed feelings about the reception of his films, particularly Beau Is Afraid, which received polarized reviews and did not perform well at the box office. However, he remains proud of his work and optimistic about future reassessments of his films.

Quote:
Ari Aster: "I was pretty sad that it was kind of so, like, maligned. And there were a lot of people who kind of reached out to tell me that they loved it."

Timestamp: [60:31]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Marc encouraging listeners to watch Ari's latest film, Eddington, and reflecting on the profound and multifaceted nature of Ari's contributions to modern cinema. They share mutual appreciation for each other's work and influence, underscoring the deep respect and camaraderie between them.

Quote:
Marc Maron: "It was a pleasure talking to Ari, and now you can listen to it as well."

Timestamp: [Final moments]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ari Aster on Artistic Upbringing:
  "My mother is a visual artist who is a poet..." [25:03]

• Discussion on Hereditary:
  "In Hereditary, you're dealing with this family that is strained beyond understanding..." [37:08]

• On Beau Is Afraid:
  "I wanted the film to function as like a roller coaster ride of like, sympathy." [75:15]

• Explaining Eddington:
  "The film is really about a data center being built just outside of town..." [70:18]

• Personal Mental Health:
  "I'm very anxious and I'm given to, you know, catastrophic thinking." [51:35]
  "I just got diagnosed with obsessive anxiety... it's paralyzing." [51:56]

• Reception of Beau Is Afraid:
  "I was pretty sad that it was kind of so, like, maligned..." [60:31]

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a deep dive into Ari Aster's creative mind, revealing the interplay between his personal struggles, artistic influences, and the thematic depth of his films. For fans and newcomers alike, Marc Maron and Ari Aster's candid conversation offers valuable insights into the making of some of the most thought-provoking films in contemporary cinema.