Let’s talk about Ari Aster’s latest, Eddington. After much-needed coffee and contemplation, I’ve landed firmly on the side of really liking it. Now, it’s not perfect, not by any means, and I know Aster is primarily seen as a horror director. But this? This isn’t that. If you’re going in expecting something similar to Hereditary or Midsommar (both of which I love, by the way), you’ll be surprised. I appreciate that he’s trying something different, pushing boundaries. That’s what makes a truly great director, not being one-note.
Eddington is a 2025 American neo-Western satirical black comedy film written and directed by Ari Aster, known for his distinctive horror films like Hereditary and Midsommar. The film stars a notable ensemble cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.
The story is set in May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the fictional small town of Eddington, New Mexico. It revolves around a bitter rivalry that escalates into chaos between the town’s sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), and the incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), who is running for re-election. Their conflict is fueled by opposing views on pandemic mandates and local politics, which reflects the broader social and political turmoil of the time, amplified by the pervasive influence of digital media and conspiracy theories.
I want to highlight two standout elements that truly impressed me, then we’ll touch on the “wonky” bits.
The Brilliant Visuals and Direction
First, the cinematography is absolutely brilliant, and the direction of it is masterful. There’s a scene where Joaquin Phoenix’s character is running up a hill, fleeing snipers, and it immediately evoked the feeling of a Hitchcock film. You can tell Aster draws influence from the master of suspense in how it’s shot. Then there’s the breathtaking sequence of Phoenix with a gun, standing in the middle of the street – absolutely brilliant filmmaking. So many elements of this film shine when it comes to the overall visual storytelling.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar-Worthy Performance
Even if you’re not entirely sold on Eddington, if you love film, you absolutely must see this for Joaquin Phoenix’s performance alone. This is Oscar-worthy work. It’s that good. While the supporting cast might feel underutilized, perhaps that’s the point; they’re there to highlight Phoenix, who does a truly brilliant job portraying this often absurd character. He’s simply remarkable.
The “Wonky” Bits
Now for the “wonky.” The pacing of the plot is all over the place. There were moments where I found myself asking, “Why did we just go from there to there?” It’s very erratic. The story and script are also quite scattered. At times, you’re left wondering where it’s headed or if it’s supposed to be going in that direction.
I also felt they tried to cram too much into the film. It’s almost as if Aster had an abundance of ideas and tried to force them all in, and I don’t think they all landed as effectively as he intended.
Final Thoughts
Despite its imperfections, I’m giving Eddington four out of five stars. A significant part of that rating comes down to the exceptional work of Joaquin Phoenix and the stunning cinematography, both of which are a testament to Ari Aster’s overall directing. I’m a big proponent of original filmmaking, and this was a risk. Did it land 100%? No. But it was definitely worth the ride, and I’d love to see more films that take these kinds of creative chances.
