Ari Aster’s latest film, Eddington, released amid ongoing cultural upheaval, offers a stark look at pandemic-era conflicts in a small New Mexico town. The movie centers on Sheriff Joe Cross, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, who faces off against a progressive mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, over divisive mask mandates and mounting social unrest. Through this narrative, Aster captures the fractured social landscape of 2020, weaving anxiety, political tension, and dark humor into a western drama rooted in real-world issues.
The Inspiration Behind the Setting and Characters of Eddington
In crafting Eddington, Ari Aster drew heavily from his personal experiences in New Mexico, his home state, especially its smaller towns and counties. After completing Beau Is Afraid, Aster toured widely across New Mexico, engaging with sheriffs, mayors, police chiefs, and local residents to build an authentic picture of the region’s political climate. Joaquin Phoenix accompanied Aster on some of these trips and modeled his portrayal of Sheriff Joe Cross on a real-life county sheriff known for his unique demeanor and style. This research deepened the film’s realistic depiction of the local power struggle and community dynamics.
Aster admitted he has not yet checked in with the sheriff who inspired Phoenix’s character, expressing curiosity about his thoughts on the film once he sees it. This grounding in actual people and politics reflects Aster’s effort to explore the complexities of competing ideologies and personal identities in the volatile atmosphere of pandemic-era America.
Balancing Absurdity and Gravity Through Dark Humor
Eddington employs dark humor to highlight the absurdities intertwined with the dangers of contemporary social realities. Ari Aster explained that the film aims to mirror the chaotic and contradictory nature of modern life, where terrifying and serious events coexist with inexplicable absurdity. He likened this tone to the work of filmmaker Todd Solondz, specifically referencing the darkly comedic moments in Wiener-Dog that subtly critique social issues.
By showcasing varied motivations behind protests and conflicts—such as the diverse reasons kids gather on the streets to protest George Floyd’s murder—Aster illustrates how people inhabit distinct realities shaped by internet-fueled polarization. This disconnect leads to a fragmented society where mutual understanding is diminished. The film’s humor reflects how people cope with trauma and horror in a world that often feels disorienting and contradictory.
Addressing Unprocessed Grief and the Influence of Technology
Ari Aster emphasized that Eddington also probes into collective grief that remains unresolved years after 2020’s seismic events. The film’s depiction of a hyperscale AI data center, called Solidgoldmagikarp, serves as a symbol of the pervasive and sometimes frightening influence of technology and artificial intelligence in modern life. Aster revealed that “Solidgoldmagikarp,” a term referencing a Pokémon, is an inside joke among AI engineers because it interfered with early AI models, causing systems to malfunction.
Despite people’s fears surrounding AI and digital surveillance, Aster highlighted how these technologies continue to infiltrate daily life, evidenced by commonplace but disconcerting elements like Zoom calls “powered by AI.” The film’s inclusion of this data center forms a subtle backdrop to the social turmoil unfolding in Eddington, underscoring how technology invisibly shapes contemporary existence.
Development of Key Characters and Their Complex Relationships
At the heart of Eddington is Sheriff Joe Cross, a character imbued with profound insecurities and sentimental illusions, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. Aster explained that Joe’s perception of his life and relationships is filtered through a romanticized lens, causing a disconnect with reality. This is particularly true in his interactions with his wife, Lou, played by Emma Stone, whose troubled past looms heavily over their marriage.
Lou’s history of abuse by her father is subtly revealed through narrative clues and her own artistic expression, which Aster described as therapeutic for her character. Joe, however, chooses willful blindness, unwilling to confront the painful truth, as do others in their family. The film lays bare these layered emotional dynamics, highlighting denial and misplaced blame.
Vernon, portrayed by Austin Butler, is another enigmatic figure whose role oscillates between potential exploitation and genuine support. He provides Lou with validation and a sense of belonging that she cannot find at home, but his true intentions remain deliberately ambiguous. Aster left open the interpretation of whether Vernon is a manipulative charlatan or a sincere, if flawed, partner, underscoring the complexity of Lou’s journey toward self-expression and healing.
Shocking Plot Turns and Political Undercurrents
Eddington contains intense moments of unexpected violence, culminating in Sheriff Joe Cross’s drastic decision to take lethal action. Ari Aster confirmed that from the outset, he intended the story to reach this conclusion, which underscores the film’s commentary on escalating divisions and the breaking point of social cohesion. He articulated a warning embedded in the narrative: when anger and scapegoating dominate public discourse, violence becomes a tragic inevitability.
The film also explores the experiences of younger generations through the character of Brian, a white teenager caught between conflicting ideologies. Initially attending a Black Lives Matter protest and trying to impress a young activist, Brian ultimately gravitates toward a conservative movement that offers him acceptance—a reflection of modern America’s fragmented search for belonging. Aster stressed that this character embodies many Americans’ desire for community and the migration between cultural groups based on acceptance rather than ideology.
James Woods’ Role and Notable Cameo
One of the film’s surprising elements is a cameo by James Woods, who appears as himself in a podcast or livestream sequence involving Brian’s character. Ari Aster confirmed Woods’ participation but joked about the unusual nature of the cameo, leaving some details playful and ambiguous. This unexpected insertion adds a meta-textual layer to the film, blending reality and fiction inside Eddington’s charged atmosphere.
Artistic Naming Choices and Easter Eggs
Ari Aster shared his fondness for unusual and playful names within the film’s universe, such as Samanda Sundries—a name he has reused in previous projects like Beau Is Afraid. These names add a layer of idiosyncrasy to the film’s setting, which also includes fictional local businesses like Gunther’s Pistol Palace and Paula’s Mexican & Greek Restaurant. Such details enrich the realism of the town and the quirks of its inhabitants, while also reflecting Aster’s creative humor.
The Film’s Emotional Resonance and Social Commentary
Though Eddington’s intense dramatization provokes anxiety and conflict, it also strikes an emotional chord by confronting collective wounds left unhealed since 2020. Aster noted that much of society has not yet processed the traumatic events of recent years, which continue to ripple through interpersonal and political realms. The film’s dark satire and underlying sorrow illuminate this widespread state of disquiet.
By combining pandemic fears, political polarization, and technology’s ubiquitous role, Eddington serves as a potent social critique. Its vivid portrayal of a community torn apart raises urgent questions about how national divisions can escalate into violence and alienation if left unaddressed. The film’s unresolved ambiguities and character complexities challenge audiences to reflect on empathy, identity, and the prospects for reconciliation in a fractured world.
