Ari Aster, the visionary filmmaker behind Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid, is shifting gears with his latest project, Eddington. The first official trailer has been released, offering a provocative glimpse into what could be Aster’s most politically charged film yet—though, true to form, it veers far from the conventional.
Set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, the film takes place in May 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The story centers on a mounting feud between Sheriff Joe Cross, played by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix, and Mayor Ted Garcia, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. As the two officials battle over leadership and public messaging, tensions rise across a deeply divided community.
“If you value your life, you should think twice, because the people of Eddington like guns,” warns Phoenix’s character in a stark public broadcast—a moment featured in the trailer’s fast-paced, social media-style montage. The teaser cleverly unfolds through a series of simulated social media clips, illustrating the disarray gripping the town.
Emma Stone appears as Louise, Sheriff Cross’s wife, who publicly disavows her husband’s inflammatory remarks. “I’m speaking now to deny my husband’s announcement yesterday, which was false,” she declares, signaling deep fractures not just in the community, but within Cross’s own household.
Adding to the volatile mix is Austin Butler, who plays a charismatic, cult-like figure urging followers to “Take back your mind. Reclaim your identity” in a chilling recruitment video.
Aster serves as both writer and director of Eddington, bringing his signature tension and psychological depth to a narrative steeped in political discord. The ensemble cast also features Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., and Luke Grimes.
Eddington will have its world premiere in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is set to hit U.S. theaters on July 18.
