News now: Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’: A Dark, Absurd Portrait of America’s 2020 Breakdown
Ari Aster’s latest film, *Eddington*, offers a surreal and unsettling depiction of the chaos and division that characterized the United States during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film is set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, and follows Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) as he navigates the escalating tensions between local authorities and residents amid the pandemic’s societal upheaval.([Wikipedia][1])
The narrative unfolds in May 2020, as the pandemic exacerbates existing political and social fractures. Sheriff Cross, a staunch conservative, becomes increasingly paranoid, believing that Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is using pandemic restrictions to destroy local businesses and replace them with server farms. This belief leads Cross to run for mayor, intensifying the town’s divisions. His campaign slogan, “I Can’t Breathe,” is a misguided attempt to resonate with protesters, highlighting the film’s satirical approach to political discourse.([World of Reel][2])
The film’s ensemble cast includes Emma Stone as Louise Cross, Joe’s emotionally detached wife, and Austin Butler as Vernon Jefferson Peak, a charismatic online conspiracy theorist. Their performances add depth to the film’s exploration of personal and societal unraveling. The narrative also touches on themes such as racial dynamics, performative activism, and the impact of media on public perception.([Wikipedia][1], [Time][3])
*Eddington* employs a mix of drama, satire, and visual media, including social media feeds, to immerse viewers in the era’s frantic energy. The film’s overstuffed narrative and conflicting themes mirror the chaotic nature of the time it portrays. Despite its imperfections, Aster’s direction provides both visual flair and unsettling insight into America’s social unraveling.([The Daily Beast][4], [Time][3])
The film’s critical reception has been mixed. Some critics praise its bold approach and timely commentary, while others find its narrative too chaotic. Regardless, *Eddington* stands as a vivid, chaotic reflection of a society battered by a virus and its aftershocks, filtered through Aster’s distinctive lens.([Time][3])
