Wed Jul 16 03:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Ari Aster’s new film, *Eddington*, is a dark satire of the pandemic era, exploring the social and psychological fractures that arose in America during that time. Set in a small New Mexico town, the film focuses on Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), who clashes with Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) over pandemic-era policies. As tensions escalate, the town descends into chaos and violence, revealing the underlying toxicity of American society. The film features strong performances, particularly from Emma Stone, and utilizes shocking moments to provoke audiences. *Eddington* is a deeply unsettling and ambitious work that solidifies Aster’s position as a major voice in American cinema.
**News Article:**
**Ari Aster’s “Eddington” a Scorching Pandemic Satire, Stars Phoenix, Pascal, and Stone**
**HOLLYWOOD** – Ari Aster returns with *Eddington*, a bracingly dark and ambitious film that tackles the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the American psyche. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Sheriff Joe Cross, Pedro Pascal as Mayor Ted Garcia, and Emma Stone as the sheriff’s troubled wife Louise, the film explores the fractures within a small New Mexico town as it grapples with the pandemic’s fallout.
*Eddington* quickly evolves from a prickly satire of pandemic-era politics into a vicious exploration of societal collapse. Sheriff Cross, skeptical of pandemic measures, finds himself at odds with the progressive Mayor Garcia, setting the stage for a conflict that exposes the deep-seated divisions within the community.
The film is punctuated by moments of shocking violence and unsettling narrative twists, challenging audiences of all political persuasions. Phoenix delivers a compelling performance as Sheriff Joe, while Pascal shines as the smarmy Mayor Garcia. Despite limited screen time, Emma Stone leaves a lasting impression with her portrayal of Louise. Austin Butler also appears, in the role of a QAnon-peddling conspiracy nut.
Aster’s vision of America as an inherently toxic land resonates throughout the film. *Eddington* is described as a cinematic equivalent of long COVID, demanding rigorous, skeptical investigation of America’s societal ills. While the ending of *Eddington* is sure to be divisive, it solidifies Aster’s position as a powerful voice in American cinema, pushing boundaries and provoking audiences with his unique brand of cinematic nightmares.
First Piper 