Eddington Movie Review: Ari Aster's Pandemic-Era Political Thriller With Joaquin Phoenix
Ari Aster's latest film "Eddington" brings pandemic anxiety and political division to the big screen in an unforgettable psychological drama starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal.
Quick Answer: Eddington is a 2.5-hour psychological thriller set in pandemic-era 2020, following a conservative sheriff (Phoenix) challenging a progressive mayor (Pascal) in a local election. It's worth watching for Aster fans who appreciate challenging, unsettling cinema, though it's not a comfort rewatch.
Key Details About Eddington:
Runtime: 2 hours 29 minutes
Genre: Psychological thriller/Political drama
Setting: Fictional Eddington, New Mexico during spring 2020
Themes: Pandemic division, social media influence, political polarization
Best for: Fans of Hereditary, Midsommar, complex character studies
Eddington Plot Summary: What Happens in the Movie?
Eddington transports viewers to the volatile spring of 2020, capturing the raw tension of pandemic-era America through the lens of a fictional New Mexico town. This political thriller follows Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), a conservative lawman who challenges progressive Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) in a heated local election that becomes a microcosm of national divisions.
The central conflict: Cross opposes mask mandates due to his asthma and conservative beliefs, while Garcia tries to maintain public health measures. Their election battle becomes symbolic of larger cultural divides.
Key plot points:
A proposed AI data center becomes the ultimate symbol of progress versus tradition
The town fractures along ideological lines during pandemic restrictions
Social media conspiracy theories drive community division
Personal relationships, including marriages, break down under political pressure
The story unfolds against real 2020 events like George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests, showing how a small community responds to national trauma.
How Long Is Eddington? Runtime and Pacing
Eddington runs 2 hours and 29 minutes - significantly longer than typical thrillers. The extended runtime allows Aster to build psychological tension but may test some viewers' patience.
Pacing notes:
Slow burn first act establishing character dynamics
Tension escalates gradually through the second act
Third act becomes increasingly surreal and unsettling
No traditional climax or resolution - focuses on psychological impact
Is Eddington Scary? Horror Elements Explained
While not a traditional horror film like Hereditary or Midsommar, Eddington contains disturbing psychological elements:
Atmosphere: Lynchian small-town dread and paranoia
Social horror: Realistic depiction of community breakdown
Psychological tension: Characters' mental states deteriorating
No jump scares: Horror comes from realistic social dynamics
Unsettling rather than frightening: More psychologically disturbing than scary
Content warnings: Political violence, conspiracy theories, marital breakdown, pandemic anxiety
Cast and Performances: Who Stars in Eddington?
Joaquin Phoenix as Sheriff Joe Cross
Phoenix delivers another powerhouse performance as the asthmatic, anti-mask mandate sheriff whose world crumbles around him. His portrayal walks the fine line between conviction and complete breakdown, showcasing why he remains one of cinema's most compelling actors.
Pedro Pascal as Mayor Ted Garcia
While Pascal brings his signature gravitas to the role of the overwhelmed mayor, his character feels somewhat underutilized despite the actor's strong performance. His political arc deserves more screen time to fully develop.
Emma Stone's Transformation
Stone's portrayal of Sheriff Cross's wife offers one of the film's most chilling elements, as viewers witness her gradual radicalization and the devastating impact on her marriage.
Eddington's Themes: More Than Just a Pandemic Movie
Digital Hysteria and Social Media Commentary
Aster crafts Eddington as a sharp critique of digital culture, portraying social media as both lifeline and poison for the community. The film captures the conspiracy theories, performative activism, and online echo chambers that defined 2020 without taking heavy-handed moral stances.
Political Division in Small-Town America
The movie serves as a time capsule of pandemic-era America, touching on real events like George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests through the lens of how communities fractured along ideological lines.
AI and Technology Anxiety
The controversial data center subplot taps into contemporary fears about surveillance capitalism and tech overreach, echoing real-world concerns without explicitly naming them.
What Works in Eddington (And What Doesn't)
Strengths:
Phoenix's magnetic, edge-of-breakdown performance
Lynchian atmosphere that makes small-town America feel both vast and claustrophobic
Authentic pandemic-era tension that feels uncomfortably real
Stunning cinematography that enhances the film's psychological impact
Weaknesses:
Runtime issues: At nearly 2.5 hours, the film may test some viewers' patience
Underdeveloped subplots: Cult elements and resistance groups need more exploration
Underused supporting cast: Several talented actors don't get enough screen time
Is Eddington Worth Watching? Final Verdict
Eddington isn't traditional horror like Aster's previous films Hereditary and Midsommar, but it's genuinely horrifying in its accurate reflection of a time period we're still processing. This psychological thriller succeeds as both entertainment and historical document.
The film works best for viewers who appreciate:
Complex character studies
Political thrillers with psychological depth
Ari Aster's distinctive filmmaking style
Movies that challenge rather than comfort
Rating and Recommendation
While Eddington probably isn't a film you'll rewatch for comfort, it's essential viewing for fans of Aster's work and anyone interested in how cinema can capture historical moments. It's a cinematic time capsule that functions as mirror, pressure gauge, and potential warning for future generations.
Bottom Line: If you enjoyed Beau Is Afraid or appreciate films that leave you unsettled and thinking, Eddington delivers a unique, if challenging, viewing experience.
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