Eddington 2025 Movie Review
Ari Aster’s Eddington is a feverish, kaleidoscopic descent into the American psyche during the COVID-19 pandemic-a film that aspires to be a modern Dr. Strangelove but often resembles a fever dream in a funhouse mirror. Set in a fictional New Mexico town, it follows Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) as he spirals into political and personal chaos, clashing with Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) amid a backdrop of mask mandates, conspiracy theories, and societal unraveling.
Aster’s ambition is palpable, weaving a tapestry of political satire, dark comedy, and surreal horror. The film’s visual style, marked by stark contrasts and unsettling imagery, mirrors the disorienting nature of the pandemic era. Phoenix delivers a performance that oscillates between manic energy and tragic vulnerability, capturing the essence of a man undone by his own delusions.
However, Eddington often falters under the weight of its own ambition. The narrative, overstuffed with themes ranging from political polarization to performative activism, lacks the coherence necessary to deliver its message effectively. While Aster critiques both the far-right and the performative left, the film’s satire occasionally veers into cynicism, offering little in the way of nuanced commentary.
The film’s pacing suffers as well; its 145-minute runtime feels bloated, with sequences that drag and moments that seem indulgent rather than essential. The tonal shifts-from dark comedy to horror to political allegory-can be jarring, leaving the audience disoriented rather than enlightened.
In the end, Eddington is a film that strives for profundity but often settles for spectacle. It is a cinematic reflection of internet outrage, a mirror held up to a society in turmoil, but one that sometimes obscures more than it reveals. While it offers moments of insight and flashes of brilliance, it ultimately falls short of its lofty aspirations.
