EDDINGTON: Ari Aster’s Pandemic Western Arrives This Summer 🤠🌵
- Boxofficehype
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
From the mind of Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) comes a daring new twist on the American West—set not in the 1800s, but May 2020. Eddington saddles up to explore how a tiny New Mexico town unravels under the pressures of a global pandemic, politics, and neighbor-against-neighbor conflict.
What’s It About?
When Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) clash over COVID-19 restrictions and a hotly contested re-election, the town of Eddington turns into a powder keg. As public health mandates spark outrage at the courthouse, the very bonds of community begin to fray.
Sheriff Cross must uphold the law—and his own moral code—amid escalating tensions.
Mayor Garcia fights to stay in office, promising safety and economic relief.
Louise Cross (Emma Stone), Joe’s wife, and Dawn (Deirdre O’Connell), her mother, find themselves caught in the crossfire.
A razor-sharp ensemble—including Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Michael Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr.—brings a gallery of citizens to life: from zealous protestors to sympathetic trainees.
Why You Can’t Miss It
Ari Aster’s Wildest Vision Yet: Blending genre conventions of the Western with Aster’s signature dread and dark humor.
All-Star Cast: Phoenix and Pascal headline, supported by Stone, Butler, and a powerhouse supporting cast.
Front-Row Pandemic Drama: A raw look at how fear, misinformation, and power struggles play out in America’s heartland.
Cannes Buzz: Premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim and audience buzz.
Key Players
Role | Actor |
Sheriff Joe Cross | Joaquin Phoenix |
Mayor Ted Garcia | Pedro Pascal |
Louise Cross | Emma Stone |
Vernon Jefferson Peak | Austin Butler |
Officer Guy | Luke Grimes |
Dawn (Louise’s Mom) | Deirdre O’Connell |
Michael (Trainee) | Micheal Ward |
Lodge | Clifton Collins Jr. |
Behind the Camera
Director & Writer: Ari Aster
Cinematography: Darius Khondji
Editing: Lucian Johnston
Score: Daniel Pemberton & Bobby Krlic
Producers: Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Ann Ruark
Studio: A24
Release Details
World Premiere: May 16, 2025 — Cannes Film Festival
Theatrical Release: July 18, 2025 (United States)
Running Time: 145 minutes
Final Verdict
Eddington isn’t just a film—it’s a stark, unflinching portrait of a community pushed to its breaking point. Expect tense showdowns, moral quandaries, and Aster’s trademark craftsmanship as the Old West meets the modern world in this contemporary classic.
Mark your calendars for July 18—justice rides again, and this time the stakes are all too real.
“Eddington reminds us that when the law falters, chaos gallops in.”