Ari Aster‘s film Eddington, released recently in theaters, continues the strange and unsettling trajectory that actress Emma Stone has been exploring since her role as Bella Baxter in Poor Things. Set during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fictional town of Eddington, the movie delves into chaotic local politics, conspiracies, and societal unrest.
Emma Stone stars as Louise Cross, a woman unraveling under the pressure of trauma and political tension, embodying bizarre and unpredictable behavior that fits the film’s dark satire. Eddington highlights Stone’s dedication to portraying unusual characters, while Ari Aster builds on his reputation for unsettling storytelling.
Ari Aster’s Film Portrays a Chaotic, Pandemic-Era Political Struggle
Eddington is set around a contentious mayoral race in a small town during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The candidates—Mayor Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal, and Sheriff Joe Cross, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix—face off amid the tumult of Black Lives Matter protests and pandemic-related fear.
The film uses this backdrop to explore themes of division, misinformation, and human fragility through a raw, satirical lens. Despite frequent questions about its authenticity, Eddington remains a fictional story that draws inspiration from real-world events and political tensions. Ari Aster, known for films like Hereditary and Midsommar, continues to challenge audiences with provocative narratives steeped in psychological and social unease.
Emma Stone’s Role as Louise Cross Breaks New Ground in Eccentricity
In Eddington, Emma Stone takes on the complex role of Louise Cross, a woman trapped in trauma and falling deeper into erratic conspiratorial thinking she dubs ‘research.’ Louise is Joe Cross’s wife, yet she becomes distant and distrustful, ultimately developing a tumultuous relationship with a cult leader named Vernon Jefferson Peak, played by Austin Butler.
The story reveals Louise’s emotional decline as she withdraws from her husband, refuses intimacy, and shows no interest in having children. She turns to creating obscure artwork, which she sells online, reflecting her fractured mental state. This role places Stone’s character squarely at the center of the film’s exploration of human chaos and political manipulation.
The plot thickens when Sheriff Joe Cross falsely accuses his political rival of abusing Louise as a teenager, escalating tensions and chaos. The movie culminates with Louise visibly pregnant and attending a rally alongside Vernon Jefferson Peak, symbolizing an ongoing cycle of conspiracy and conflict.
Emma Stone’s Continued Commitment to Unconventional Characters
Emma Stone’s role in Eddington marks another step in her evolving portfolio of strange and unpredictable characters. Once widely recognized as Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man series and known for romantic comedies, Stone has consciously shifted toward more adventurous and eccentric roles.
Her portrayal of Cruella de Vil in Cruella, while not fully bizarre, signaled a transition to portrayals embracing darker and more chaotic personas. This trend intensified with her critically acclaimed role as Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, where she played a resurrected woman with the mind of a child.
In Eddington, Stone further solidifies this direction, immersing herself into the unpredictable nature of Louise Cross. She faces the difficult challenge of embodying a character consumed by disorder and inner turmoil, demonstrating a capacity to detach from her own identity to explore such complexity fully.
This approach showcases Stone’s artistic bravery and skill, offering viewers a compelling look at human instability set against a backdrop of political and social upheaval. While the film has sparked mixed and controversial reactions due to its intense and unsettling themes, Stone’s performance is noted as a highlight that captivates audiences.
Eddington is currently screening in theaters worldwide, inviting viewers to engage with its unsettling portrayal of a society on the edge of collapse and the strange characters who inhabit it.
