In Ari Aster’s new political satire Eddington, Joaquin Phoenix stars as Joe Cross, the sheriff of a small town grappling with mask mandates, online cults, and divisive protests in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. Alongside Pedro Pascal, who plays Mayor Ted Garcia, the film depicts a community fractured by misinformation, social media addiction, and conflicting views on race and politics. The movie highlights the absurdity and danger of modern political discourse, using a western style to reflect contemporary anxieties.
The storyline unfolds in May 2020 during the height of Black Lives Matter protests and the early stages of Covid-19 restrictions. Joe, an adamant anti-masker, faces off not just against protesters but also against the manipulations of the internet, which fuels mistrust and paranoia. Eddington’s characters often interact through their phones, replacing guns with devices in tense showdowns. This modern take on western genre tropes challenges viewers to consider how conflict and power struggles play out on social media platforms as much as in real life.
Characters Showcasing Deep Flaws Amidst Social Chaos
Each figure in Eddington is deeply flawed, embodying different facets of contemporary societal issues. Joe fights to maintain control in a town disturbed by the presence of a charismatic online influencer, Vernon (Austin Butler), who is accused of leading his wife Louise (Emma Stone) into a cult-like following through social videos. The town’s only Black resident, Michael (portrayed by Micheal Ward), is a police officer whose primary concern is the inconvenience caused by BLM protesters rather than their cause. These characters reflect real-world divisions but amplified for dramatic and satirical effect.
Pedro Pascal’s Mayor Garcia is a corrupt politician secretly orchestrating an AI data centre to be built in Eddington, highlighting themes of surveillance and technological overreach. The film’s pacing and tone intertwine political satire with dark humor, as even earnest protests become performative or misguided, exemplified by Brian (Cameron Mann), who loudly advocates for Black Lives Matter mainly to impress Sarah (Amélie Hoeferle). This complexity provides a critical lens on how public discourse often devolves into self-interest and spectacle.
Reimagining the Western through Modern Political Lens
Eddington’s setting and style borrow heavily from traditional westerns but infuse them with present-day concerns. Joaquin Phoenix describes the land as symbolic of personal ideals defended at all costs, commenting,
“The land represents your ideal. That ideal comes at what cost?”
The film replaces gunfights with smartphone confrontations, where characters record each other instead of drawing pistols. Phoenix describes the opening confrontation:
“I literally come out, and I go, ‘I’m recording this.’ It’s like in westerns when they do that walk.”
This blend of anachronism and modern technology creates a charged atmosphere where social media replaces violence as the key weapon.
Pedro Pascal emphasizes the film’s political satire aspect, calling it
“a political satire western, but only partly.”
The dusty small town frames a story rooted in social conflict rather than old-fashioned vigilante justice. Both actors reflect on their previous experiences in the western genre, with Pascal confessing he wanted to be in The Sisters Brothers and Phoenix admitting he has a complicated relationship with the genre. Nevertheless, Eddington uses these Western motifs to spotlight the power dynamics and ideological battles shaping society today.
Actors Discuss the Psychological Impact of the Pandemic and Doomscrolling
During an interview at London’s Corinthia Hotel, Phoenix and Pascal talked candidly about their experiences with doomscrolling and the psychological toll of the pandemic. Pascal admits,
“I’m doomscrolling like a fucking madman. It’s worse than ever before.”
He recounts spending much of the summer in isolation, glued to his gadgets, while Phoenix maintains that he tries to limit his phone use, especially with his child. Pascal points out the relentless stress social media can cause by making all information—good or bad—immediately accessible, including details about former relationships or personal attacks, which can be particularly relentless for public figures.
Both actors acknowledge the complexity of the internet’s role as an information hub and a trigger for anxiety and division. Pascal reflects on social media’s paradox: it offers a platform to take a stand but also isolates users within curated realities.
“It’s so complex. I have such a complicated relationship with my social media because so much of it is pacifying a feeling of helpless impotence…”
Phoenix expands on this, describing how fear and isolation are exploited online, causing rational discourse to break down and emotional overreactions to spike. Phoenix explains,
“Our fear, isolation and outrage are the things that are manipulated and magnified. The calming effect that comes from interaction in a community, and being rational, is fragmented.”
The Challenges of Using One’s Voice Amid Social and Political Crisis
The conversation turns to the responsibility actors feel when addressing political and social issues publicly. Both Pascal and Phoenix have spoken out on controversial topics—Pascal notably criticizing JK Rowling’s stance on trans rights, and Phoenix advocating for animal rights, biodiversity, and Palestinian solidarity. Agreeing on the importance of speaking out, Phoenix admits,
“It’s vital and it’s important that if you have an opportunity that you speak up and you share your voice. There have been many times when I’ve been scared to talk about certain issues that I really look back on, that I regret.”
Pascal acknowledges that public figures face a tension between authentic personal passion and the risk of being accused of political posturing. He emphasizes the importance of visibility and support for marginalized communities, stating,
“It’s very important that, especially with young readers, they feel seen, that they feel heard, that they have the space to continue progressing and growing into a world that creates opportunities and protections for them.”
Both actors recognize the awkwardness of addressing serious issues while promoting a film, noting how interviews often limit the depth they can offer on these vital topics.
Eddington’s Release and Its Cultural Significance
Eddington premieres in UK cinemas on August 22, inviting audiences to reflect on the turmoil of recent years through a sharp and unsettling lens. The film’s blend of satire and psychological drama forces viewers to confront how digital media, political extremism, and societal fractures intersect in the modern era. By turning the traditional western into a commentary on internet culture and pandemic paranoia, Ari Aster offers a timely exploration of humanity’s struggle with fear and misinformation.
In a world increasingly dominated by social media and polarized perspectives, Eddington challenges us to examine how we consume and engage with information, and whether dialogue and understanding can survive in an age of outrage and fragmentation. Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal’s insights underscore the urgency of speaking out while navigating the complexities of fame, technology, and social responsibility in a deeply divided society.
