Martin Scorsese has given a positive Martin Scorsese Eddington movie review, describing Ari Aster’s latest film, Eddington, as frightening in its depiction of contemporary American society. Released in theaters after premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film captures a tense and divided America during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The movie evokes unease by exploring the social and political fractures that have become increasingly visible over recent years. Scorsese praised Aster’s ability to confront difficult themes through a darkly satirical lens, underlining the emotional and ideological conflicts driving the story’s tension.
The Story Behind Ari Aster’s Provocative Satire on Political Division
Eddington is set in a small New Mexico town of the same name, where a battle for power unfolds between Joe Cross, the conservative sheriff played by Joaquin Phoenix, and the town’s liberal mayor, Ted Garcia, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. This clash embodies the polarized landscape that the film satirizes, turning local politics into a broader commentary on American society.
While the film debuted at Cannes and was met with mixed critical response upon its wider theatrical release in July 2025, Scorsese’s appraisal shines a light on its deeper relevance. He remarked that the film exposes the aspects of American life many avoid, emphasizing how unwillingness to listen to opposing views contributes to societal fear and conflict.
Eddington dives right into the side of American life that many people can’t bear to look at or even acknowledge — no one wants to listen to anyone else, which is frightening.
—Martin Scorsese, Filmmaker
Scorsese noted that Aster’s work fearlessly critiques a wide spectrum of radical and extremist ideologies without hesitance, making Eddington a bold cinematic statement on the fracturing political climate. The film’s blend of black comedy and political drama aims to shine a harsh light on the chaos underlying contemporary American discourse.
Mixed Critical Reception Reflects Audience Unrest with Eddington’s Message
The intense political satire at the heart of Eddington has led to strongly divided opinions among critics and audiences. Currently holding a 67% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is regarded as Ari Aster’s most polemic and challenging work to date. This stands in contrast to his earlier films like Hereditary and Midsommar, which leaned more directly into horror rather than socio-political commentary.
Aster has established a reputation for creating complex and experimental films that often provoke intense discussion. With Eddington, he pushes even further by scrutinizing America’s cultural and political identity in a way that demands discomfort and reflection.
This provocative confrontation with current realities has made Eddington a contentious title, as audiences grapple with its portrayal of societal breakdown and ideological warfare. The film’s raw depiction of entrenched political beliefs and mutual distrust mirrors the polarization noted by Scorsese, who emphasized that the inability to listen to others is a root cause of widespread societal fear.
Given the polarized atmosphere surrounding the film, it is expected that Eddington will continue to spark debate. Its current theatrical run in the United States serves as a cultural flashpoint for conversations about what divides and defines contemporary America.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Martin Scorsese religious?
A. Scorsese identifies as Catholic and has expressed this clearly. He told NCR that he feels most at ease with the Catholic faith. While he doesn’t go to church weekly, he believes in Catholic beliefs. He mentioned that his path in life is shaped by Catholicism.
Q. Does Martin Scorsese have OCD?
A. Martin Scorsese is a well-known director and writer who reportedly has OCD. He explored this condition in his films, The Aviator and his first short film, What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This.
