Stranger Things – Season 1, Episode 4

Eddington (2025) – Ari Aster's Wild Neo-Western Satire with Joaquin Phoenix & Pedro Pascal

Release Date: July 18, 2025 (USA)
Genre: Neo-Western / Black Comedy / Political Thriller
Directed by: Ari Aster

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Introduction

Eddington (2025) is a bold, satirical, and disturbing neo-Western thriller from acclaimed filmmaker Ari Aster. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic in a fictional New Mexico town, the film explores political corruption, social collapse, conspiracy theories, and personal madness — all wrapped in a stylish, pitch-black comedy. With a powerhouse cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, Eddington dives headfirst into America’s recent past to deliver one of the most provocative films of the decade.

Plot Summary

Set in May 2020, the town of Eddington, New Mexico is gripped by pandemic-induced lockdowns and cultural unrest. Mayor Ted Garcia enforces strict health mandates, drawing the ire of Sheriff Joe Cross, who views these policies as tyrannical overreach. What begins as political tension soon erupts into a dark, surreal, and violent chain of events.

Joe decides to run for mayor against Ted. Meanwhile, his mentally unstable wife, Louise, and her conspiracy-obsessed mother invite a radical cult leader into their lives. As both sides escalate, Joe falsely accuses Ted of sexual misconduct, only for Louise to publicly deny the claims and disappear. Soon, Joe spirals into lawless violence — committing murders, faking a political assassination, and blaming Antifa to manipulate public perception.

As armed extremists descend upon the town, an explosive climax leaves chaos in its wake. The film ends with Joe, now mayor but paralyzed, manipulated by Dawn’s conspiracies, while the town moves forward under eerie circumstances.

Cast and Characters

• Joaquin Phoenix – Sheriff Joe Cross, a deeply disturbed lawman-turned-politician
• Pedro Pascal – Mayor Ted Garcia, Joe’s political rival
• Emma Stone – Louise Cross, Joe’s unstable wife
• Austin Butler – Vernon Jefferson Peak, a dangerous cult leader
• Luke Grimes – Officer Guy, Joe’s loyal ally
• Deirdre O'Connell – Dawn, Louise’s conspiracy-driven mother
• Micheal Ward – Michael, a young deputy caught in the middle
• William Belleau – Officer Butterfly Jimenez, the voice of reason and justice

Behind the Scenes

Eddington is the long-awaited passion project of Ari Aster, originally envisioned before Hereditary and Midsommar. It was finally realized in 2024, filmed on location in New Mexico during the heat of post-pandemic discourse. The film combines Aster’s signature unsettling tone with a Western backdrop, creating a hybrid genre experience.

The score, crafted by Bobby Krlic (Midsommar) and Daniel Pemberton, provides an atmospheric, unsettling soundscape that mirrors the film’s madness. Cinematographer Darius Khondji paints the American Southwest in eerie beauty, emphasizing isolation, violence, and moral decay.

Key Themes & Analysis

• Satire of Pandemic Politics – Aster lampoons both political sides, conspiracy culture, and media manipulation.
• American Violence – Guns, paranoia, and militia extremism take center stage.
• Power and Corruption – Joe's transformation reveals how power seduces and destroys.
• Media & Influence – Social media videos, false narratives, and influencer politics blur reality.

Eddington is not just a movie; it’s a mirror held up to a fractured society — brutally honest, uncomfortably funny, and deeply tragic.

Reception & Ratings

Despite modest box office returns of $9.1 million on a $25 million budget, the film has sparked widespread conversation.

• Rotten Tomatoes: 🍅 67% (from 210 reviews)
• Metacritic: 🟢 64/100
• CinemaScore: 🎭 C+

Critics praised the cast and bold direction but noted the film’s erratic tone may divide audiences. Eddington was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and later listed by IndieWire as one of the “100 Best Movies of the 2020s (So Far).”

Why You Should Watch It

• One of the most daring and original American films in recent years
• Ari Aster's boldest and most political work yet
• Incredible performances by Phoenix, Stone, and Pascal
• Unforgettable mix of chaos, satire, and emotional weight

If you're looking for a film that challenges your perspective, makes you laugh uncomfortably, and leaves you thinking long after the credits roll — Eddington (2025) is it.

Conclusion

Eddington isn’t a film that plays it safe. It dares to go where few modern movies do — into the messy heart of politics, identity, and misinformation during one of the most divisive moments in recent American history. With a stellar cast, striking visuals, and fearless storytelling, it’s a haunting ride through the American psyche.

Watch it, talk about it, and decide for yourself — who’s really telling the truth in Eddington?

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