The year 2020. A year ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year, there was also the racial reckoning of the broken justice system that affected disadvantaged people. This period of time has been depicted primarily in films released exclusively on streaming services, but very rarely on the silver screen. The latest example of a film depicting this period is “Eddington,” the newest film from Ari Aster, which premiered in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Taking place in May of 2020 in the titular town of Eddington, New Mexico, “Eddington” primarily focuses on Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), the sheriff of the isolated town who resides in a hilltop home with his wife, artist and dollmaker Louise (Emma Stone), who has a penchant for crafting dolls. Also living with them is Louise’s mother, conspiracy-riddled Dawn Bodkin (Deirdre O’Connell).
Sheriff Cross firmly opposes the mask mandate that has been implemented as a result of the pandemic, as displayed in the opening sequence with his refusal to comply with other officers’ requests for him to wear a mask, due to a mandate implemented by the state governor.
As the pandemic continues to ravage the town, a reelection campaign is being held by incumbent mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). After a confrontation with Garcia at a local supermarket involving masks, Cross launches a mayoral campaign against him and appoints his deputies, Guy Tooley (Luke Grimes) and Michael Cooke (Michael Ward), as heads of his campaign team. As a result of his decision to enter the race, this election quickly descends into one that becomes pure chaos.
While this is occurring, a local named Brian (Cameron Mann), who is friends with Ted’s son, Eric (Matt Gomez Hidaka), attempts to impress a local activist named Sarah (Amélie Hoeferle), while doing very little to show that he actually believes in the social issues that she’s advocating for — a prominent example of slacktivism.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers a stellar performance as Joe Cross, a sheriff who craves the power of the mayoral seat. In his second collaboration with Ari Aster, Phoenix embodies this manipulative character, who would do anything to achieve power, and is at times awkward with his approach to his campaign. A great example of this is in the video where he announces his candidacy, firmly speaking, but ending said video in a cumbersome way.
As Ted Garcia, Pedro Pascal is also excellent, with his, at times, cool and calm image that he portrays to the public, being a sharp contrast to Joe’s cold and calculating nature.
In her portrayal of Louise, Emma Stone embodies this reclusive character with a history of trauma, a performance that reflects this character, as Stone goes for a more reserved approach to the character, compared to her other performances.
Austin Butler, in a supporting role, plays Vernon Jefferson Peak, the leader of a cult who often recites the phrase “You are not a coincidence” during his fiery speeches. Louise soon becomes obsessed with him and his organization. A highlight of Butler’s fantastic performance is a scene in the second act where he recounts a traumatic story to Joe and Louise at their home.
Ari Aster, the film’s writer-director, utilizes the neo-western subgenre to depict a microcosm of the United States during this period, examining the unethical strategies that plague politics and the pure chaos of the pandemic. While departing from the horror genre that encompassed his previous works, “Eddington” also utilizes dark comedy elements that encapsulated Aster’s previous film, 2023’s “Beau is Afraid,” also starring Phoenix. Aster also writes a screenplay that is submerged in plot points, with a third act that subverts expectations — an aspect of the film that is seen throughout his filmography.
Cinematographer Darius Khondji captures several stunning shots in the film. Previously capturing the grimy streets of New York in the Safdie Brothers’ 2019 anxiety-inducing crime thriller “Uncut Gems,” Khondji turns his lens to the arid landscape of New Mexico, featuring an abundance of wide shots of the desert landscape, along with tracking shots in the film’s third act.
“Eddington” presents to the viewer a surgical examination of the landscape of the United States in 2020, with an engaging story and stellar performances. It is another example of why Ari Aster is one of the most original and unique voices in filmmaking today.
Home on the range, in a land of chaos.
“Eddington” is available for rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
