Eddington is a rollercoaster of a film. Although it may be a difficult viewing since so much of it looks like what we see in our day to day, it only helps us identify the issues our society faces and what we need to do to change. The horror of it doesn't just revolve around the Pandemic, but simply people pushed to the breaking point and witnessing the aftermath. This one is released today, and is another highly recommended A24 release.
“In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. Writer-director Ari Aster’s (Hereditary, Midsommar) fourth feature is a modern-day Western, paranoid thriller, and black comedy in which a riotous showdown spirals into a whirlwind of violence.”
Ari Aster has become one of the most fascinating voices in modern horror, a director whose work transcends traditional genre boundaries while still carrying the unmistakable tone of psychological terror. From Hereditary to Midsommar, he’s proven that horror doesn’t have to rely on jump scares, that it can emerge from grief, repression, and the quiet disintegration of the human mind. Eddington continues that lineage, though it presents itself differently on the surface. While some have described it as a modern western, I think it’s far more accurately categorized as horror. Not in the sense of ghouls and monsters, but in the slow, suffocating dread of a country turning on itself.
Set in a society struggling to come to terms with an emerging global pandemic, Eddington taps into the unease of a world forever changed by isolation. It’s based on true events, though heavily dramatized, revolving around a small rural town where paranoia and disinformation take root faster than the truth can spread. As the world outside grows uncertain, the people inside their homes grow angrier, more suspicious, and more divided. The film captures the claustrophobia of that period perfectly, the sense of festering tension, of endless scrolling through fear and outrage as political divisiveness slowly becomes a kind of social contagion. It’s a deeply unsettling reflection of the times we lived through, and continue to grapple with.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers another powerhouse performance, disappearing completely into his role as a man caught between reality and the stories that people choose to believe. There’s something deeply human about his portrayal: weary, volatile, and at times heartbreakingly fragile. It’s the kind of performance that anchors the film’s shifting tone, keeping it grounded even as Aster leans into surrealism. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone offering layered, unpredictable turns that amplify the film’s unease.
Aster’s direction is meticulous. Every frame feels deliberate, and his ability capture that horror in stillness and silence is unmatched. Yet what sets Eddington apart from his previous work is how it invites interpretation. The film’s meaning changes depending on who you are, your politics, your fears, your faith in institutions or lack thereof. For some, it’s a story about paranoia and misinformation; for others, it’s about the corruption of truth itself. That’s entirely the point. Aster has crafted a film that reflects belief back at the viewer, forcing you to confront what you see as “real.” It’s as much a mirror as it is a movie, and that’s what makes it so haunting.
The tension throughout Eddington is thick and slowly builds, exploding in several key sequences that leave you stunned. Although it is quite different from his previous films in terms of theme and subject, it’s the sense of dread that still remains that is easily identifiable. Eddington is a slow, psychological unraveling that feels terrifying precisely because it’s so believable. It’s horror born from within, and that’s where Aster’s mastery lies.
Video
Presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen, Eddington looks excellent on Blu-ray. The cinematography is rich with natural light and muted tones, reflecting the isolation and dusty expanse of the rural setting. Detail is crisp, capturing both the sweeping landscapes and the confined interiors where paranoia festers. Black levels are deep and consistent, with the transfer preserving the subtle grain that gives the image a cinematic texture.
Audio
The Dolby Atmos mix is immersive and quietly unnerving. Dialogue is crystal clear, with the center channel anchoring every whisper and confrontation. The surround channels are used sparingly throughout most of the film, but when the action intensifies, they are heavily utilized to make it feel you’re in the middle of a war-zone. The score is superb, blending a type of minimalism with unsettling tonal swells that heighten the sense of dread.
Special Features
- “Made in Eddington” Featurette
- Six Collectible Souvenir Postcards
Eddington is another bold entry from Ari Aster, a film that feels personal, political, and profoundly unsettling. While some have labeled it a modern western, it’s better understood as horror, a reflection of our fractured world, our fears, and the isolation that lingers long after the pandemic ended. Joaquin Phoenix gives one of his most commanding performances, and the supporting cast adds depth to a film that thrives on nuance and unease.
What makes Eddington so fascinating is its subjectivity. Its meaning will change depending on your own beliefs and biases, and that’s exactly the point. Aster has crafted a film forces you to look within. to recognize how truth, when twisted through fear and loneliness, becomes its own form of terror.
It’s not an easy film to watch, especially during today’s turbulent climate, but it’s a necessary one. Thought-provoking, haunting, and meticulously constructed, Eddington proves once again that Ari Aster has a uniquely haunting talent.
