After his breakthrough performance in the 2022 hit Elvis, Austin Butler established himself as one of the most prominent movie stars of his generation. Despite earning an Oscar nomination and the opportunity to claim many leading roles in big productions, Butler opted for a different approach. He has focused on selecting compelling scripts that push him artistically, often choosing parts that challenge his matinée idol image rather than relying solely on his popularity.
Currently featured in theaters in Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing, Butler is also involved in Ari Aster‘s film Eddington. In this movie, he steps away from the conventional lead role and plays Vernon Jefferson Peak, an internet conspiracy theorist and cult leader. Though Butler’s screen appearance is brief, his character plays a pivotal role in advancing the film’s storyline and deepening its major themes, using Butler’s captivating presence to amplify its impact.
The Importance of Butler’s Character in Eddington’s Story
Butler’s character Vernon enters the film’s narrative through Louise Cross, played by Emma Stone. Set during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Louise spends much of her time engrossed in her phone, reflecting a common experience in 2020. She is revealed to be an avid follower of Vernon’s online sermons. The film opens with a moment where Louise is watching one of Vernon’s videos, immediately turning it off as her husband Joe, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, enters the room.
This introduction was a deliberate decision by director Ari Aster, utilizing Louise’s character to address themes related to internet culture and the radicalization caused by social media. Shortly before this scene, viewers observe Joe watching a YouTube tutorial called
How to Convince Your Husband or Wife to Have a Baby,
with an open laptop displaying a wallpaper featuring Louise’s face, subtly setting up the tension between the couple.
Using the principle of show, don’t tell, Aster reveals the growing estrangement between Louise and Joe early in the film. Butler’s Vernon barely appears beyond clips on a phone screen, yet his influence is essential. Later in the movie, this significance becomes clearer when Louise decides to leave Joe to join Vernon’s cult after Joe publicly accuses his political opponent, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), of sexually assaulting Louise during their youth.
Louise’s attraction to Vernon’s videos is rooted in her traumatic past involving sexual violence, implied to have been committed by her late father, a truth that Joe and her mother either cannot or will not accept. Joe’s downward spiral culminates in murder soon after Louise’s departure with Vernon, marking her decision as the turning point for much of the film’s ensuing violence. Aster carefully frames this sequence to emphasize that Joe’s selfish actions and poor decisions pushed Louise closer to Vernon.
Vernon as a Symbol of Social Media’s Dark Influence
Vernon represents the dangerous allure of internet preachers and conspiracy theorists, especially heightened during the pandemic. His role reflects how social media can indoctrinate vulnerable individuals, as shown through Louise’s increasing immersion in his messages. When Vernon later visits Louise and Joe’s home, their contrasting perceptions of him surface clearly—Louise trusts him wholeheartedly, while Joe views Vernon as a manipulative fraud. This confrontation highlights their fundamentally different realities, shaped by the divisive influence of digital platforms.
By the film’s conclusion, Louise has fully succumbed to Vernon’s control. A closing video reveals Vernon’s manipulation has extended to impregnating her, boosting his cult’s membership and his online following. He preys on survivors like Louise, exploiting his position just as Joe abuses his authority as sheriff to advance his mayoral ambitions and conceal his crimes. Meanwhile, characters who attempt to act ethically, such as officer Butterfly Jimenez and Michael, a framed cop, suffer dire consequences, illustrating the harsh realities of power misused.
For fans of cinema, Butler’s acceptance of a nuanced and somewhat unsettling character like Vernon in Eddington is commendable. His willingness to break away from his handsome leading-man image, as also seen in roles like Dune: Part Two, shows a dedication to diverse and inventive storytelling. Butler’s career decisions not only showcase his ambition as an actor but also support the creation of original films in an industry increasingly dominated by familiar franchises and intellectual properties.
Without stars like Butler choosing to engage in adventurous and challenging projects, the variety and innovation in movies could diminish. His choices reflect a rare commitment that benefits the film landscape, encouraging more A-listers to take similar artistic risks to foster fresh and meaningful cinema.
