Scapegoat: Scarlett Johansson in Ari Aster's new film
Filming is scheduled to begin later this year
Ari Aster has found his next film project. As reported by the industry magazine Deadline, he will direct the as-yet-mysterious film "Scapegoat". He also wrote the screenplay. For the lead role, however, he was able to secure none other than Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson.
However, securing the Oscar-nominated actress was no sure thing. Johansson's schedule for this year is quite packed. Among other projects, she will star in Universal's upcoming "Exorcist" film and appear alongside Robert Pattinson in "The Batman 2". To make her participation possible, the producers reportedly decided to start filming later this year.
As is often the case with Aster, little is known about the film's plot so far. According to reports, however, the director has been working intensively on the screenplay since last year. A release date has not yet been announced.
The Disturbing Cinematic World of Ari Aster
Ari Aster has evolved in record time from an indie insider's pick to one of the most influential directors in modern cinema. With his previous works, he has not merely served the horror genre but deconstructed it. His films are not mere ghost stories; they are case studies on trauma, grief, and the inexorable decay of the human psyche.
The Horror of Inheritance: Hereditary
With his debut film "Hereditary" (2018), Aster made a huge splash. What begins superficially as an occult thriller quickly turns out to be an oppressive family drama. Here, Aster uses the supernatural as a metaphor for inherited trauma and mental illness.
The story of the Graham family is marked by an inevitability reminiscent of Greek tragedies. The cinematography often captures the family's house like a dollhouse – a motif that underscores the characters' total lack of control over their own fate. Toni Collette's terrifying portrayal of a grieving mother set new standards for acting in the horror genre and proved that Aster is a director who demands everything from his actors.
Horror in Broad Daylight: Midsommar
While "Hereditary" takes place in dark rooms, "Midsommar" (2019) is the exact opposite: a "folk horror" epic set in bright sunshine. Here, Aster breaks with the conventional rule that horror requires darkness.
At its core, "Midsommar" is a "breakup movie", wrapped in a ritualistic nightmare scenario set in Sweden. The protagonist Dani, brilliantly played by Florence Pugh, desperately seeks a sense of belonging after the loss of her family. The film impressively demonstrates how a seemingly peaceful community can exert a form of emotional violence through isolation and radical empathy. The aesthetics stand in a disturbing contrast to the ritual brutality that unfolds before the viewers' eyes.
The Odyssey of Fear: Beau Is Afraid
With his third film, "Beau Is Afraid" (2023), Aster plunged deep into a surreal nightmare. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, he created a three-hour odyssey that feels like a blend of a Kafkaesque tale and a malevolent fever dream.
The film is a radical exploration of Oedipal complexes and the paralyzing power of fear. Beau is a man who has surrendered to his own existence. Here, Aster shatters all narrative boundaries: he blends animation with live-action and denies the audience easy answers. The film cemented Aster's reputation as an uncompromising auteur willing to risk a major studio's budget for a deeply personal and bizarre vision.
The Politicization of Madness: Eddington
With his film "Eddington", released last year (2025), Ari Aster has once again proven that he cannot be pigeonholed. The film marks an interesting shift away from purely psychological horror toward a pitch-black, contemporary satire with elements of the neo-western.
In "Eddington," we follow the story of an ambitious mayor in a small town in New Mexico during a global pandemic. Aster uses this setting to explore the deep divisions in modern society, conspiracy theories, and moral decay. With a top-notch ensemble – including Joaquin Phoenix once again, as well as Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone – he creates a scenario that is as claustrophobic as it is absurd.
Although the film contains fewer supernatural elements than its predecessors, the "Aster vibe" remains palpable: here, the unease stems from human unpredictability and social collapse. "Eddington" showcases a more mature director who has expanded his focus from individual trauma to the collective madness of an entire nation.
Aster's trademark: precision and psychology
What unites Ari Aster's entire body of work is its technical perfection. His camera movements are precisely choreographed, often featuring long takes that force the viewer to keep their eyes glued to the screen. He uses sound design not for cheap effects, but to create a constant sense of unease.
Another central theme is the family or the closed community as a place of horror. Whether through genetic predestination, religious delusion, or political fanaticism – the bonds between people are often toxic in his films. Aster remains a master at transforming the everyday into something deeply unsettling.
Conclusion: A Director for Modern Unease
Ari Aster has shaped 21st-century cinema by intellectualizing horror without robbing it of its visual impact. His films are taxing, often unsettling, and linger in your mind for days after the credits roll. He challenges his audience, confronting them with their deepest fears while creating images that burn themselves into memory. Ari Aster is a modern master of cinema who shows us time and again that the worst monsters aren't lurking under the bed, but exist within ourselves and our fellow human beings.
