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Ari Aster’s Eddington Opens to Early Reviews Citing Cynicism and Striking Visuals

Early notices frame the release as a caustic portrait of U.S. polarization.

Overview

  • Eddington, directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler, debuts on September 12, 2025.
  • Spanish outlets El Diario Vasco and El Periódico praise the performances and atmosphere but judge the film overloaded with ideas, with El Periódico awarding three stars.
  • Set in late May 2020 in a fictional New Mexico town, the narrative centers on Sheriff Joe Cross during pandemic mask disputes and a fraught local power struggle.
  • The film blends western, satire and thriller elements, featuring Darius Khondji’s distinctive cinematography with standout nocturnal sequences.
  • Critics describe a shift in Aster’s register with comparisons to the Coen brothers, noting a depiction of escalating political violence in a polarized community.