Phoenix and Pascal Ignite Pandemic Drama in A24's 'Eddington'

Olivia Bennett, 6/11/2025A24's 'Eddington,' directed by Ari Aster, dives into America's pandemic era with a gripping tale of conflict between mask-skeptic sheriff Joaquin Phoenix and safety-first mayor Pedro Pascal. The film's Cannes premiere sparked controversy and praise, highlighting its timely reflection on societal divides.

The freshly released trailer? Pure dynamite. Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix squares off against Pedro Pascal (who, let's be real, hasn't aged a day since 2020) in what might be the most aesthetically charged confrontation since... well, pick your favorite prestige drama showdown. Set against the backdrop of fictional Eddington, New Mexico, during those unforgettable early pandemic days, the film pits Phoenix's mask-skeptic sheriff against Pascal's by-the-book mayor.

This cast, though. Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Luke Grimes round out an ensemble that reads like an awards season wish list. But here's where things get spicy – the Cannes premiere last week sparked enough controversy to make the Will Smith slap look tame. Seven minutes of standing ovation (practically brief by Cannes standards, tbh) followed by a tsunami of conflicting hot takes.

Pascal, speaking at Cannes in one of those impossibly sharp suits he's been favoring lately, addressed the controversy with characteristic diplomacy. "It's very scary to participate in a movie that speaks to issues like this," he admitted between sips of sparkling water. "I want very much to be on the right side of history." (Don't we all, honey – especially now that we're heading into another election cycle.)

Meanwhile, Aster's been doing what he does best – turning genre expectations inside out. "I wrote this movie in a state of fear and anxiety," he revealed during the post-screening Q&A, looking somewhat less haunted than during his "Beau Is Afraid" press tour. "I wanted to try and pull back and show what it feels like to live in a world where nobody can agree on what is real anymore."

The film marks a quick reunion between Aster and Phoenix – their last mind-bender "Beau Is Afraid" still feels fresh in our collective trauma bank. Critics are already praising "Eddington" for tackling "a slice of history that we have yet to see properly shown on film, even though it happened only five years ago," as Deadline's Damon Wise noted in his characteristically understated way.

IndieWire's David Ehrlich dropped the kind of review that publicists dream about, suggesting the film should be "reviewed straight onto a prescription pad." Which, considering the state of the world in 2025, might not be the worst idea?

"Eddington" sashays into theaters nationwide July 18, after its Fantasia International Film Festival opening two days prior. Clear your schedules – this isn't just another pandemic movie. It's a mirror being held up to society, and darling, the reflection might just leave a mark.

A24's latest bombshell just dropped, and it's exactly what you'd expect from Hollywood's most audacious studio. "Eddington," helmed by the ever-provocative Ari Aster, dares to wade into the still-churning waters of America's pandemic divide – and does so with enough star power to light up Times Square.The freshly released trailer? Pure dynamite. Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix squares off against Pedro Pascal (who, let's be real, hasn't aged a day since 2020) in what might be the most aesthetically charged confrontation since... well, pick your favorite prestige drama showdown. Set against the backdrop of fictional Eddington, New Mexico, during those unforgettable early pandemic days, the film pits Phoenix's mask-skeptic sheriff against Pascal's by-the-book mayor.This cast, though. Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Luke Grimes round out an ensemble that reads like an awards season wish list. But here's where things get spicy – the Cannes premiere last week sparked enough controversy to make the Will Smith slap look tame. Seven minutes of standing ovation (practically brief by Cannes standards, tbh) followed by a tsunami of conflicting hot takes.Pascal, speaking at Cannes in one of those impossibly sharp suits he's been favoring lately, addressed the controversy with characteristic diplomacy. "It's very scary to participate in a movie that speaks to issues like this," he admitted between sips of sparkling water. "I want very much to be on the right side of history." (Don't we all, honey – especially now that we're heading into another election cycle.)Meanwhile, Aster's been doing what he does best – turning genre expectations inside out. "I wrote this movie in a state of fear and anxiety," he revealed during the post-screening Q&A, looking somewhat less haunted than during his "Beau Is Afraid" press tour. "I wanted to try and pull back and show what it feels like to live in a world where nobody can agree on what is real anymore."The film marks a quick reunion between Aster and Phoenix – their last mind-bender "Beau Is Afraid" still feels fresh in our collective trauma bank. Critics are already praising "Eddington" for tackling "a slice of history that we have yet to see properly shown on film, even though it happened only five years ago," as Deadline's Damon Wise noted in his characteristically understated way.IndieWire's David Ehrlich dropped the kind of review that publicists dream about, suggesting the film should be "reviewed straight onto a prescription pad." Which, considering the state of the world in 2025, might not be the worst idea?"Eddington" sashays into theaters nationwide July 18, after its Fantasia International Film Festival opening two days prior. Clear your schedules – this isn't just another pandemic movie. It's a mirror being held up to society, and darling, the reflection might just leave a mark.