New Trailer Arrives for Ari Aster’s Pandemic-Era Western Comedy ‘Eddington’
Ari Aster is back with a brand-new film, and it’s nothing like his past horror hits. His latest movie, Eddington, brings together a big cast in a strange mix of Western, comedy, and drama, all set during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new trailer just dropped, giving audiences their first real look at the unusual world Aster has created.
The story is set in a fictional town in New Mexico in May 2020, when lockdowns and fear were at their peak. The film follows Sheriff Joe Cross, played by Joaquin Phoenix, as tensions rise between him and the town’s mayor, Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal.
Their personal and political feud quickly spirals, creating chaos in the small town. Emma Stone plays Joe’s wife, and Austin Butler appears as a mysterious newcomer who adds more trouble to an already tense situation.
The movie had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16. Reviews were mixed. Some critics praised the movie’s bold style, while others felt it didn’t fully come together. Rotten Tomatoes currently shows a 67% score based on over 50 reviews. Metacritic lists it at 64, which means most reactions were positive, but far from glowing.
The idea for Eddington isn’t new. Ari Aster had been sitting on the script for a long time, thinking it might be his first movie. But he ended up making Hereditary and Midsommar first. He later rewrote Eddington to fit the world of the pandemic. In an interview during Cannes, Aster said, “It’s about politics, fear, and the way people crack under pressure.”
Production took place in early 2024, with filming happening in places like Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Aster and Phoenix had actually gone scouting for spots a year earlier, in 2023. The film was produced by A24 and Aster’s own company, Square Peg.
The soundtrack was a joint effort between Bobby Krlic—who also scored Midsommar—and Daniel Pemberton. Together, they created a mix of eerie and emotional music to match the film’s offbeat tone.
Since Cannes, the movie has also been screened at the Sydney Film Festival, and it’s set to open the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 17. It will arrive in U.S. theaters the next day, on July 18, distributed by A24.
According to official info from A24 and the Cannes program, Eddington looks at how a public health crisis can lead to power struggles, fear, and even violence in a tight-knit community. It’s more than just a pandemic movie, it’s about what happens when people start to lose trust in each other.
It’s exciting to see Ari Aster doing something fresh. While some fans may expect horror, it’s clear he’s experimenting with tone and genre. The setting and cast are strong, and even if reactions are mixed, Eddington looks like a movie that will get people talking.
What do you think about this new direction from Aster? Will you be watching Eddington when it hits theaters? Let us know in the comments.