Ari Aster’s Covid-Era Film Eddington Premieres Cannes with Phoenix, Pascal

Ari Aster's new film "Eddington," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, is a contemporary Western set in a small New Mexico town during the summer of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. The story centers on a tense mayoral race between the mask-wearing mayor Ted (Pedro Pascal) and the anti-mask sheriff Joe (Joaquin Phoenix), highlighting the polarized political and social climate of the time. The film satirizes both sides of the cultural divide, including conspiracy theorists, anti-science activists, and young social justice advocates, though critics note its uneven tone and underdeveloped characters. Despite its star-studded cast—also featuring Emma Stone and Austin Butler—and ambitious themes, reviews describe the film as somewhat messy and unsure of its message. "Eddington" is distributed by A24 and is scheduled for a U.S. release in July 2025. The film marks Aster's continued exploration of dark, complex narratives with a sharp, satirical edge on contemporary American issues.