Mass Hysteria: Eddington is a Brilliant Snapshot of a Confusing Time

A24

4/5 stars

The COVID-19 pandemic didn't so much trigger societal tensions between neighbors as it revealed the long-gestating hostility that had been brewing in society. It unmasked some ugly truths about the antisocial behaviors of the modern world and how technology was creating social isolation and political resentment among people. Naturally, Ari Aster shines a floodlight at these ugly truths with his new film Eddington, the first American film to really discuss how the pandemic impacted the world (I say American because it doesn't include Radu Jude's brilliant satire Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn) and even though some parts of the second half go a bit too far into the ridiculous, it's a disturbing picture of a very disturbing time.

In the small town of Eddington, New Mexico in May of 2020, Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) makes an impulsive decision to run for mayor after heated disagreements with the town's COVID restrictions. This puts him at odds with the town's current mayor (Pedro Pascal) and uncovers a long-festering animosity between them centered around Cross' emotionally traumatized wife (Emma Stone). As tensions rise and accusations are made, Eddington becomes a hotbed of socio-political agitation, and it's only a matter of time before blood is spilled.

Using a small American town as a microcosm of the country during a tumultuous time is a brilliant choice, and Aster has some sadistic fun showing how a simple argument over mask mandates can lead to the destruction of an entire community. He argues that COVID didn't create this antagonism, it was merely the spark to a long-dormant powder keg just waiting to go off. Gathering limitations and social distancing revealed just how truly isolated we all really were. 

Written and directed by Ari Aster // Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deidre O'Connell, Michael Ward, Matt Gomez Hidaka, William Belleau, Clifton Collins Jr., Cameron Mann, Amelie Hoeferle, Landall Goolsby, Elise Falanga, King Orba, Rachel de la Torre, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone // A24 // 149 minutes // Rated R