‘Eddington’ overview: Ari Aster misfires as Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix face off

Comedy is tragedy plus time. There could also be a day when critics look again on Ari Aster’s COVID-19 comedy Eddington with kinder eyes. Nevertheless, simply 5 years after this virus threw the world into lockdown, we’re nonetheless residing within the brutal realities created not solely by the pandemic that killed tens of millions but additionally additional polarized American politics to horrifying outcomes. So, watching film stars crack sensible about face masks, conspiracy theories, and political rivalries? Proper now, it is not humorous. It is principally irritating. 

Props to Aster for his continued fearlessness. The author/director broke by along with his daring debut characteristic Hereditary, then cemented his status as an American filmmaker to observe with its chilling follow-up Midsommar, which in flip helped launch Florence Pugh to stardom. Then, he threw his followers (and critics) for a loop with Beau Is Afraid, which starred Academy Award–winner Joaquin Phoenix in a protracted anxiousness assault of a film that skewed style and concluded with the epic revelation of an enormous penis monster. 

For Eddington, Aster reteams with Phoenix, who as soon as extra performs an anti-hero gripped by his failings as a substitute of his virtues. However this time, the punchline is not certainly one of mommy points or social anxiousness. As an alternative, the New Mexico-set Eddington pokes enjoyable of either side of the political divide. However removed from being even-handed and even all that humorous, the result’s a film that could be seen as a wild trip if it nailed the touchdown. As an alternative, it is a wonky head-scratcher that feels extra smug than sharp. 

Joaquin Phoenix is a right-wing clown in Eddington. 

At a look, Joe Cross (Phoenix) is a well-recognized American archetype, along with his white hat, cowboy boots, and sheriff’s badge. He is a lawman who fights towards the injustices of a wild world that is aware of no decency. In Westerns, he’d be the nice man, besides Aster steadily undercuts this American icon, each visually and contextually on this Western/thriller/comedy. As an example, Joe is launched patrolling an space that is exterior his jurisdiction on tribal floor, sparking a confrontation with the Native American police, who chastise Joe for trespassing and for breaking the mandate by not carrying a face masks (each tribal officers are masked). 

On one hand, Joe’s sitting alone in a automobile. So, yeah, carrying a face masks is pointless, even absurd. However Joe will proceed to push the masking difficulty, knowingly making his neighbors uncomfortable as he strides right into a grocery retailer the place everyone seems to be masked and maintaining a six-foot distance from one another. His frustration over what he sees as an assault on his freedom even sparks him to start a haphazard marketing campaign towards the beloved Eddington mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). However the extra Aster reveals about Joe, the extra it is clear the masks isn’t about freedom, however about Joe asserting dominance wherever he can, so he can really feel like a person. 

At residence, Joe is emasculated by his vicious mother-in-law (Deirdre O’Connell) and barely acknowledged by his depressed spouse, Louise (Emma Stone). At work, he cowers within the shadow of the admired sheriff who got here earlier than, who occurs to have been his late father-in-law. Unable to stay as much as the ghost of the person who haunts him figuratively in his private {and professional} life, Joe picks one other goal for his wrath: Ted Garcia.

Joe chooses Ted not solely as a result of the mayor is extra well-liked than he, but additionally as a result of Ted is Louise’s ex. Joe burns with jealousy over their shared previous, which he imagines as scandalous. All of this leads Joe down a path that feels vaguely Coen Bros.-esque in its rancid Americana and self-destruction. However whether or not he makes hasty marketing campaign posters with embarrassing misspellings or dives into the violent fantasy of being an American motion hero by bonkers and abrupt battle scenes, Joe is certainly a clown.

Although the protagonists of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid have been deeply flawed, Aster additionally discovered room for us to narrate to their heartache and anxieties. We have been as scared as they have been, or much more scared for them than they might be for themselves. Joe, nonetheless, isn’t richly developed or relatable. He is a vexing sketch of the anti-masker motion and all its poisonous masculinity and privilege. Pushing this symbolism previous its breaking level, Aster additionally wedges in subplots the place Joe should cope with the net conspiracy theories about youngster exploitation and a flurry of Black Lives Issues protests organized by an area white lady (Amélie Hoeferle), who is commonly on the verge of tears. 

The criticism is uneven and shallow in Eddington. 

Emma Stone and Deirdre O’Connell play daughter and mom in “Eddington.”
Credit score: A24

In a Q&A for press following a screening of Eddington, Aster expressed his hope that the movie would communicate to either side of the political divide. He additional famous the ultimate act — which includes a extended shootout — may learn completely otherwise relying on what facet of the divide you are on. However frankly, he misreads his viewers. The movie isn’t that textured. The climax, chaotic and grisly, is stunning, however not awing. 

Joe and his household affords loads of alternatives to mock the best for his or her anti-masking attitudes, Pizzagate conspiracies, and normal “fuck your emotions” MAGA perspective — although Aster tries to have it each methods by not utilizing such specific buzzwords. Against this, Mayor Garcia is a mild lampoon of liberal politicians. The place Joe is stern, talking like he is spitting, Ted is determinedly soft-spoken, and listens to Katy Perry whereas entertaining. (“Firework,” naturally.) In a promotional video for his marketing campaign, Ted reenacts a tragic private reminiscence to win sympathy, then inexplicably performs piano in the midst of Eddington’s filth roads. It is a light ribbing of quirky political advertisements. However whilst Aster mocks the advantage signaling of the left by a subplot about Ted’s son (Matt Gomez Hidaka) utilizing political patter to impress the aforementioned feminine protester, the barbs really feel like a nudge as a substitute of a punchline. 

Maybe it is because either side of the argument, as Aster presents them right here, simply aren’t equally price mocking. Perhaps that is as a result of the foibles of 1 facet result in cringe moments, whereas the opposite would possibly result in demise and catastrophe. However for a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes, Aster does not uncover something all that deep or stunning about this divide past how harmful it may be. Neither facet will study a lot new about themselves or their perceived opponents by watching Eddington. It is onerous to say if extra time would make a distinction.

Whereas the solid is dedicated to Aster’s imaginative and prescient of this New Mexico city, the depth is missing. {That a} cop has a thirst for management, {that a} smiling politician has a darkish facet, {that a} depressed girl has a hidden heartache — none of it is a shock. But Eddington treats every reveal with a ghoulish giddiness, as in the event that they’re all deeply transgressive. The result’s a film that feels passionate, however is finally shallow and messy.

Removed from the thriller its trailers counsel, Eddington is a cynical darkish comedy that errors empathy for weak spot, providing lots to react to however little to impress thought.

Eddington is now streaming on HBO Max.

UPDATE: Nov. 12, 2025, 5:17 p.m. This overview was first printed on July 18, 2025, to coincide with the movie’s theatrical premiere. It has since been up to date to replicate at-home viewing choices.