Overview

• Eddington, Ari Aster’s first film in Cannes competition, premiered to mixed reviews highlighting its ambitious themes but uneven execution.
• Set in May 2020 in a fictional New Mexico town, the film explores pandemic tensions, social unrest, and political conflict during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Joaquin Phoenix stars as Sheriff Joe Cross, whose refusal to wear a mask sparks a mayoral rivalry with Pedro Pascal’s character, Ted Garcia.
• Emma Stone plays Louise, a dollmaker obsessed with an online cult leader portrayed by Austin Butler, adding to the film’s exploration of misinformation and digital influence.
• Critics noted the two-and-a-half-hour runtime and dense narrative, with some describing it as overlong and messy despite its thematic richness.