New York, NY – Filmmaker Ari Aster, known for his distinctive and often unsettling cinematic style, is sparking considerable discussion with his latest film, "Eddington," a neo-Western satirical black comedy set during the tumultuous year of 2020. The film, which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, aims to grapple with the profound societal shifts and anxieties that defined the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing cultural conflicts.
In a recent episode of #NewYorkerRadio, Aster articulated his motivation, stating, > “I’m personally desperate for art that at least attempts to grapple with whatever the hell is going on right now.” This sentiment underscores the film's ambition to reflect the contemporary zeitgeist. "Eddington" delves into a fictional New Mexico town where a standoff between a small-town sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) escalates amidst mask mandates and political polarization.
The A24 production features an ensemble cast including Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Luke Grimes, and explores themes of paranoia, disinformation, and the breakdown of consensus reality. Critics have noted the film's unflinching portrayal of the culture wars, with some describing it as a "period piece about the pandemic" that captures the "hellacious paradigm shift" of the era. The narrative reportedly begins with a focus on pandemic policies and Black Lives Matter protests before descending into a "full-blown madness."
"Eddington" has garnered a polarized reception, with some critics praising its bold approach to timely and sensitive material, while others have found its satire blunt or lacking clear perspective. Reviewers have highlighted its sharp engagement with "granular culture-war details" and its attempt to capture the "cacophony" of voices from that period. The film's 148-minute runtime allows for a deep dive into the characters' conspiracy-fueled social media diets and the explosive consequences of their divisions.
Aster, who also wrote the screenplay, reportedly began developing "Eddington" during the pandemic itself. The film marks his return to the big screen after 2023's "Beau Is Afraid" and continues his collaboration with A24. Its release comes at a time when audiences may be ready to confront a cinematic reflection of a recent, deeply impactful period, offering a chance to "look at the way we were and maybe have a chance at seeing how we are," as Aster suggested.