Hold onto your cowboy hats ¡ª Ari Aster is swapping suburban dread for dust, drama, and desert heat in his latest A24 brain-melter, Eddington. The filmmaker who haunted our dreams with Hereditary, Midsommar, and the chaotic fever dream Beau Is Afraid is back, and this time, he is going full Western¡ with a twist and Pedro Pascal, of course.
The trailer and a few images of Eddington just dropped (courtesy of Pedro Pascal¡¯s Instagram flex), and let¡¯s just say: tension, thy name is Joaquin Phoenix versus Pedro Pascal. Set against a small-town New Mexico backdrop, the photo teases a simmering confrontation between Phoenix¡¯s badge-wearing sheriff and Pascal¡¯s finger-pointing mayor ¡ª yes, that is the vibe. Phoenix, armed with a cowboy hat and restraint, looks every bit the man trying not to snap, while Pascal seems seconds away from unleashing political rage. Yeehaw but make it hostile.
This showdown is just the tip of the very starry iceberg. Eddington boasts a cast that would make even Barbie blush: Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., and more are reportedly joining the chaos. While Phoenix and Pascal appear to be the leads, Emma and Austin might be popping in as a couple stranded in the eerie little town that becomes not-so-welcoming when the sun goes down. Because of course it does ¡ª it is Ari Aster!
Plot-wise, we are diving into a ¡°contemporary Western meets black comedy¡± hybrid where sheriff Phoenix apparently dreams of snagging the mayor¡¯s office, and Pascal¡¯s character might be the only thing in his way. With aspirations and accusations flying high, expect secrets, suspense, and maybe some sinister small-town smiles.
Also, big win for Aster fans: Eddington will officially premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking his debut at the prestigious event and possibly setting the stage for his first Palme d¡¯Or nomination. Whether this star-packed Western connects with general audiences or pulls another Beau Is Afraid box-office vanishing act? Only time ¡ª and twisted plot turns ¡ª will tell.