Joaquin Phoenix gives another performance full of character, though the film itself feels like an unfocused try at a western with a rather flimsy plot underneath. He plays “Cross,” a sheriff struggling with his health, who finds himself in conflict with Mayor “Ted” – played by Pedro Pascal, who seems to be everywhere in 2025 – in a small town in New Mexico. It's election season, and the mayor is running for re-electi…

Eddington offers a striking depiction of existence during the pandemic and how it affected society, examining ideas related to authority, division within groups, and the breakdown of shared bonds. The film is held together by an exceptional portrayal from Joaquin Phoenix as a character experiencing a gradual descent. Director Ari Aster ventures into unusual territory by blending different styles and making a signi…

It's easy to say – and with good reason – that there’s plenty of craziness happening these days, and that assessment would be accurate. But where did it all start? A reasonable place to begin looking back is the COVID-19 Pandemic, a period when fear was heightened, conspiracy theories spread widely, “protective” measures became excessive, neighbors often spied on each other (and frequently made unsupported accusation…

_Eddington_ prompted enthusiastic applause and several moments of genuine laughter at Sydney Film Festival. It’s an unrestrained, unpredictable, and very funny film. In fact, it's Aster’s strongest work to date. Aster has crafted a darkly humorous commentary on the culture wars—the divisions, performative displays of morality, and general insincerity that permeate society. He delivers this with sharp accuracy, sim…