Ari Aster, the visionary filmmaker behind "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," returns with "Eddington," a cynical yet undeniably compelling 2025 film that serves as a jarring mirror to post-COVID America. Distributed by A24 and produced by A24 and Square Peg, this drama brings together a stellar cast including Joaquin Phoenix as a small-town sheriff, Pedro Pascal as the mayor, and Emma Stone. Premiering at Cannes on May 16, 2025, before its wider U.S. release on July 18, the movie is set in May 2020. Its premise quickly ignites a powder keg: a tense standoff between the sheriff and mayor in Eddington, New Mexico, escalates, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Aster, who also penned the screenplay, dives headfirst into the social and political fractures that widened during the pandemic, crafting what some are calling the first truly modern Western.
Genre:Comedy, Drama, Western
"Eddington" arrives as a stark, unflinching look at a nation fractured by unprecedented events, positioning itself as a cinematic reflection of a society grappling with its own unraveling. Ari Aster, known for his unique brand of unsettling horror and psychological drama, takes his distinctive neuroses and applies them to the collective anxieties of the early pandemic era. This isn't a conventional narrative; it’s an ambitious, often bleak, exploration of how pre-existing societal divisions were exacerbated when technologically engineered polarization tore a "forever hole in the social fabric." The film feels like a "No Country for Old Men" riff for the modern age, daring to hinge its escalating conflicts on contentious topics like mask mandates and the murder of George Floyd.
The premise immediately establishes a high-stakes environment. In May 2020, as the world grapples with a new reality, the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, becomes a microcosm of a nation in turmoil. A seemingly localized dispute between a small-town sheriff, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, and the mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, quickly spirals out of control. This local power struggle becomes a powder keg, igniting deep-seated resentments and turning neighbors against each other. The film doesn't shy away from depicting the raw animosity and "tribal factions" that emerged, painting a picture of an America already descending into widespread animosity even before the pandemic's full impact.
The performances in "Eddington" are central to its immersive, if unsettling, atmosphere. Joaquin Phoenix, always captivating, brings a weary intensity to his role as the sheriff, embodying the strain of authority in a fracturing community. Pedro Pascal matches him as the mayor, representing another facet of small-town power. The cast also features talented actors like Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, and Austin Butler, whose portrayal of a "conceited spiritual guru" occasionally leans into cliché. Emma Stone appears as Ted’s "mentally fragile wife," though her character, unfortunately, "barely registers," a common critique of Aster's tendency to prioritize thematic exploration over nuanced character development for supporting roles.
Aster’s directorial signature is unmistakable. The film boasts "bravura set pieces," including a "gripping nocturnal shootout" in the final reel that showcases his mastery of tension and visual storytelling. Cinematographer Darius Khondji, a frequent collaborator, contributes to the film's stark and often beautiful aesthetic. However, the movie review suggests that Aster's desire to explain "how Covid-19 crystalised all he sees that’s wrong with America leaves no room for humanity, discernment or wit." This relentless cynicism, while intellectually provocative, can make the characters feel like "cartoonish types," diminishing the stakes of their escalating, sometimes deadly, conflicts. The film's unwavering focus on showcasing the breakdown of society often comes at the expense of a deeper connection with the human element within that chaos.
"Eddington" is a deeply cynical film, content with its "smug self-satisfaction" in observing America’s decline. While the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly transformed the country, the film is criticized for lacking a "clear perspective on that ever-present tragedy," settling instead for observations that, while sharp, can feel emotionally distant. It's a challenging watch, not just for its subject matter, but for its often bleak and unforgiving tone. Aster's work is typically characterized by a commitment to his "neuroses," and in "Eddington," these neuroses align with the anxieties many experienced during the pandemic, making it a potentially cathartic, albeit uncomfortable, viewing experience for some.
Ultimately, "Eddington" is a bold, ambitious, and undoubtedly polarizing entry in Ari Aster’s filmography. It’s a thriller that uses the backdrop of a small-town power struggle to comment on the larger fractures within society. While it excels in its technical execution and unflinching portrayal of social commentary, its hyper-cynical lens and sometimes underdeveloped characters might leave some viewers craving more humanity and emotional resonance. For those fascinated by Aster's distinctive vision and willing to confront a bleak mirror image of recent history, "Eddington" offers a compelling, albeit unsettling, cinematic journey through the disquieting landscape of post-pandemic America. It’s a film that demands discussion, forcing audiences to grapple with uncomfortable truths about tribalism and division in the 2025 film landscape.