Comedy is tragedy plus time. There could also be a day when critics look again on Ari Aster’s COVID-19 comedy Eddington with kinder eyes. Nevertheless, simply 5 years after this virus threw the world into lockdown, we’re nonetheless dwelling within the brutal realities created not solely by the pandemic that killed thousands and thousands but in addition additional polarized American politics to horrifying outcomes. So, watching film stars crack clever about face masks, conspiracy theories, and political rivalries? Proper now, it isn’t humorous. It is principally irritating.
Props to Aster for his continued fearlessness. The author/director broke by way of together with his daring debut function Hereditary, then cemented his popularity as an American filmmaker to look at with its chilling follow-up Midsommar, which in flip helped launch Florence Pugh to stardom. Then, he threw his followers (and critics) for a loop with Beau Is Afraid, which starred Academy Award–winner Joaquin Phoenix in a protracted nervousness assault of a film that skewed style and concluded with the epic revelation of a large penis monster.
What’s recent on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and extra?
For Eddington, Aster reteams with Phoenix, who as soon as extra performs an anti-hero gripped by his failings as a substitute of his virtues. However this time, the punchline is not one in every of mommy points or social nervousness. As an alternative, the New Mexico-set Eddington pokes enjoyable of either side of the political divide. However removed from being even-handed and even all that humorous, the result’s a film that is likely to be seen as a wild trip if it nailed the touchdown. As an alternative, it is a wonky head-scratcher that feels extra smug than sharp.
Joaquin Phoenix is a right-wing clown in Eddington.
Joaquin Phoenix performs Sheriff Joe Cross in “Eddington.”
Credit score: A24
At a look, Joe Cross (Phoenix) is a well-recognized American archetype, together with his white hat, cowboy boots, and sheriff’s badge. He is a lawman who fights in opposition to the injustices of a wild world that is aware of no decency. In Westerns, he’d be the great man, besides Aster steadily undercuts this American icon, each visually and contextually on this Western/thriller/comedy. For example, Joe is launched patrolling an space that is exterior his jurisdiction on tribal floor, sparking a confrontation with the Native American police, who chastise Joe for trespassing and for breaking the mandate by not carrying a face masks (each tribal officers are masked).
On one hand, Joe’s sitting alone in a automobile. So, yeah, carrying a face masks is pointless, even absurd. However Joe will proceed to push the masking concern, knowingly making his neighbors uncomfortable as he strides right into a grocery retailer the place everyone seems to be masked and holding a six-foot distance from one another. His frustration over what he sees as an assault on his freedom even sparks him to start a haphazard marketing campaign in opposition to the beloved Eddington mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). However the extra Aster reveals about Joe, the extra it is clear the masks shouldn’t be about freedom, however about Joe asserting dominance wherever he can, so he can really feel like a person.
At dwelling, Joe is emasculated by his vicious mother-in-law (Deirdre O’Connell) and barely acknowledged by his depressed spouse, Louise (Emma Stone). At work, he cowers within the shadow of the admired sheriff who got here earlier than, who occurs to have been his late father-in-law. Unable to reside as much as the ghost of the person who haunts him figuratively in his private {and professional} life, Joe picks one other goal for his wrath: Ted Garcia.
Joe chooses Ted not solely as a result of the mayor is extra well-liked than he, but in addition as a result of Ted is Louise’s ex. Joe burns with jealousy over their shared previous, which he imagines as scandalous. All of this leads Joe down a path that feels vaguely Coen Bros.-esque in its rancid Americana and self-destruction. However whether or not he makes hasty marketing campaign posters with embarrassing misspellings or dives into the violent fantasy of being an American motion hero by way of bonkers and abrupt battle scenes, Joe is certainly a clown.
Mashable High Tales
Although the protagonists of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid had been deeply flawed, Aster additionally discovered room for us to narrate to their heartache and anxieties. We had been as scared as they had been, or much more scared for them than they could possibly be for themselves. Joe, nevertheless, shouldn’t be richly developed or relatable. He is a vexing sketch of the anti-masker motion and all its poisonous masculinity and privilege. Pushing this symbolism previous its breaking level, Aster additionally wedges in subplots the place Joe should cope with the net conspiracy theories about little one exploitation and a flurry of Black Lives Issues protests organized by an area white woman (Amélie Hoeferle), who is usually on the verge of tears.
The criticism is uneven and shallow in Eddington.
Emma Stone and Deirdre O’Connell play daughter and mom in “Eddington.”
Credit score: A24
In a Q&A for press following a screening of Eddington, Aster expressed his hope that the movie would communicate to either side of the political divide. He additional famous the ultimate act — which includes a extended shootout — may learn completely in a different way relying on what aspect of the divide you are on. However frankly, he misreads his viewers. The movie shouldn’t be that textured. The climax, chaotic and grisly, is surprising, however not awing.
Joe and his household provides loads of alternatives to mock the proper for his or her anti-masking attitudes, Pizzagate conspiracies, and basic “fuck your emotions” MAGA angle — although Aster tries to have it each methods by not utilizing such specific buzzwords. Against this, Mayor Garcia is a delicate lampoon of liberal politicians. The place Joe is stern, talking like he is spitting, Ted is determinedly soft-spoken, and listens to Katy Perry whereas entertaining. (“Firework,” naturally.) In a promotional video for his marketing campaign, Ted reenacts a tragic private reminiscence to win sympathy, then inexplicably performs piano in the course of Eddington’s dust roads. It is a mild ribbing of quirky political advertisements. However whilst Aster mocks the advantage signaling of the left by way of a subplot about Ted’s son (Matt Gomez Hidaka) utilizing political patter to impress the aforementioned feminine protester, the barbs really feel like a nudge as a substitute of a punchline.
Maybe it’s because either side of the argument, as Aster presents them right here, simply aren’t equally value mocking. Possibly that is as a result of the foibles of 1 aspect result in cringe moments, whereas the opposite would possibly result in dying and catastrophe. However for a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes, Aster does not uncover something all that deep or stunning about this divide past how harmful it may be. Neither aspect will be taught a lot new about themselves or their perceived opponents by watching Eddington. It is onerous to say if extra time would make a distinction.
Whereas the solid is dedicated to Aster’s imaginative and prescient of this New Mexico city, the depth is missing. {That a} cop has a thirst for management, {that a} smiling politician has a darkish aspect, {that a} depressed lady has a hidden heartache — none of this can be a shock. But Eddington treats every reveal with a ghoulish giddiness, as in the event that they’re all deeply transgressive. The result’s a film that feels passionate, however is in the end shallow and messy.
Removed from the thriller its trailers counsel, Eddington is a cynical darkish comedy that errors empathy for weak point, providing loads to react to however little to impress thought.
Eddington is now streaming on HBO Max.
UPDATE: Nov. 12, 2025, 5:17 p.m. This overview was first revealed on July 18, 2025, to coincide with the movie’s theatrical premiere. It has since been up to date to mirror at-home viewing choices.
