Eddington is a new movie premiering wide in theaters July 18th. Before that, it had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Written & directed by Ari Aster, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone. In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.

I have a hot take that might land in me in hot water. I don’t like Hereditary & Midsommar as much as others, but I have a good reason for it that makes Ari Aster one of the best directors working today. I can certainly understand why cinephiles adore the filmmaker. I just personally couldn’t get through his first two films due to how much anxiety they gave me. I have a more of an appreciation for his style that liking his films. I got through Beau is Afraid, but I was in the theater for that and I don’t ever leave the theater no matter how bad it got. With Eddington, it felt like he might tone down the anxiety. Nope. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Let me start off with saying this before I really get into my review: This film is going to be controversial. This may be your favorite movie of the year, or it could be your least favorite. More importantly, it’s going to get the people talking, which is exactly what this film sets out to do. Just in case viewers may be unaware, it doesn’t tackle politics during a specific time period we all lived through, but overexaggerates it to get its point across. If you’re questioning just how overexaggerated it can be, you should have heard the guy in front of me that kept gasping through the second half of the film.

Leonardo DiCaprio is to Martin Scorsese is what Joaquin Phoenix is to Ari Aster. Aster demands a certain lead performance that can be dramatic as much as they are animated. Phoenix can do that, and I think that’s something Phoenix proved between Joker & Beau is Afraid. Just when you think he can’t do enough, he always surprises you. It’s Pascal though that steals the show with what he is given. He is the heart & soul, giving arguably one of his best performances to date. Some people might see his presence as oversaturated. For him to film in different projects back-to-back with this one included is admirable.

The first half of the film is a lot of set up. There’s humor and excitement. Aster is slightly turning the dial up to ten throughout the film. You can feel your heart beating faster and faster as the film goes on. Just when things hit the fan, there’s no going back. Buckle up. It is wild and will have your jaw on the floor. The second half never lets up. By the time it does reach its conclusion, the epilogue may overstay its welcome. When the credits rolled, you’ll feel the wind knocked out of you.

Aster does present a lot of themes that I don’t think any other filmmaker could replicate. Most of them land. Some of them don’t. Even while I was understanding what the film was going for, there are far too many ideas that Aster throws you. He is either hoping you stay caught up with him or that you’ll catch it on a second viewing. Given the complex nature of the film, I am not sure if multiple viewings are in the cards for others. Over time, I could see this having a more of a cultural impact on viewers and how they viewed a time period we all went through.

As much as I liked Austin Butler’s performance, his character is one I simply can not understand why his character was needed. His character only really tests Phoenix’s character, but I am personally not sure if it was needed, especially with how little screentime he is given. Butler shows promise under Aster’s direction. If Aster ever casts him in anything again, I just hope he gives him a better written character.

Lastly, I have to talk about the production & costume design. There is a moment where a kid with liberal ideologies discusses them with his parents while guns and ammo are hanging on walls around them. You don’t even need to know what his parents believe in as the design perfectly speaks for itself. There is also a clear distinction between the way Phoenix & Pascal dress and where they live that truly sets the two apart.

Overall, Eddington is controversial in all the right ways. It will get people talking for better or for worse. The performances are great all across the board with Phoenix providing animated action while Pascal delivering heart & soul. It’s another anxiety-driven film from Ari Aster who does it like no one else.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)