Ari Aster's latest film, ‘Eddington’, has sparked intense debate on social media, with viewers praising standout performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone while remaining divided on the director's bold pandemic commentary. The Western thriller, set during the COVID-19 pandemic, has generated passionate reactions on X (formerly Twitter).
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Eddington Twitter Review
Social media users have shared mixed but passionate responses to the film. Film reviewer Manda expressed strong appreciation, writing: "EDDINGTON is my second fave Ari Aster film. It's easily the most overwhelming theatrical experience of the year. The downward spiral unfolds with such precision, & the horror isn't some distant fantasy. It's the slow, all-too-familiar collapse of society we've all lived through."
EDDINGTON is my second fave Ari Aster film. It’s easily the most overwhelming theatrical experience of the year. The downward spiral unfolds with such precision, & the horror isn’t some distant fantasy. It’s the slow, all-too-familiar collapse of society we’ve all lived through. pic.twitter.com/ILyL70LqmQ
— manda ✨ (@amxndareviews) July 9, 2025
Shaurya Chawla offered a balanced perspective, noting: "EDDINGTON: a wild, part-satire takedown piece on America and a quickly destabilising society from Ari Aster that takes some wild, very unsubtle swings as it goes on, and is filled with some great performances led by Joaquin Phoenix. Will absolutely not work for everyone."
EDDINGTON: a wild, part-satire takedown piece on America and a quickly destabilizing society from Ari Aster that takes some wild, very unsubtle swings as it goes on, and filled with some great performances led by Joaquin Phoenix. Will absolutely not work for everyone. #Eddington pic.twitter.com/mGYwdYNP8K
— Shaurya Chawla (@_ShauryaChawla) July 9, 2025
Nick Spake highlighted the film's shifting tone, explaining: "For its first hour and a half, #Eddington is a photograph of the pandemic, capturing everything from the mask debate, to the protests, to the constantly scrolling through social media. Then in the final hour, it becomes an Ari Aster movie, for better or worse."
For its first hour and a half, #Eddington is a photograph of the pandemic, capturing everything from the mask debate, to the protests, to the constantly scrolling through social media. Then in the final hour, it becomes an Ari Aster movie, for better or worse. pic.twitter.com/ChJuCUPxH4
— Nick Spake (Cartoon Contender) (@NSpake) July 15, 2025
Despite mixed reactions, several reviewers have praised the film's bold approach. Obi-Wan Jabronie wrote: "EDDINGTON is wayyyyy messier than other 2025 standouts like SINNERS or BLACK BAG, but that's a feature, not a bug. It's one of the year's best so far."
EDDINGTON is wayyyyy messier than other 2025 standouts like SINNERS or BLACK BAG, but that’s a feature, not a bug. It’s one of the year’s best so far.
— Obi-Wan Jabronie (@ObiWanJabronie) July 15, 2025
Best use of Katy Perry of all-time?
My ★★★★ review of Eddington on @letterboxd: https://t.co/ktnfjrJ728
Jessie Hobson provided a nuanced take: "Eddington is messy, long, and sometimes too clever by half—but it's also bold, unflinching, and unforgettable. It's the COVID movie to end all COVID movies, not because it has answers, but because it dares to show how lost we all became."
Eddington is messy, long, and sometimes too clever by half—but it’s also bold, unflinching, and unforgettable. It’s the COVID movie to end all COVID movies, not because it has answers, but because it dares to show how lost we all became.
— Jessie Hobson (@joe_danger) July 15, 2025
Review: https://t.co/RznafzcZN1 pic.twitter.com/LFW2WVsoro
Tony Mosello described the film as "a polarizing, divisive, and hilarious modern Western satire that centers around the pandemic and focuses on the absurd extremes of both the left and the right. Aster delivered a provocative commentary that is sure to piss some people off… I thoroughly enjoyed it!"
EDDINGTON is a polarizing, divisive, and hilarious modern Western satire that centers around the pandemic and focuses on the absurd extremes of both the left and the right. Aster delivered a provocative commentary that is sure to piss some people off…
— Tony Mosello (@MoselloATC) July 16, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed it! pic.twitter.com/lVxr3Dz8i3
Eddington Movie Plot
‘Eddington’ unfolds as a Western set during the pandemic, featuring lots of 2020 politics. The film has been called an "ensemble film," but the main story focuses on the rivalry between Sheriff Joe Cross (Phoenix) and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pascal).
The conflict begins when Joe refuses to wear a face mask at a local grocery store. This leads him to run for mayor of Eddington, challenging Ted, who thought he would run unopposed. The simple mask dispute escalates into a broader political battle that mirrors real-world tensions from the pandemic era.
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Eddington Cast
The film features an impressive ensemble cast led by Joaquin Phoenix as Joe Cross and Pedro Pascal as Ted Garcia. Emma Stone portrays Louise Cross, while the supporting cast includes Luke Grimes as Guy, Deirdre O'Connell as Dawn, and Micheal Ward as Michael.
Additional cast members include Amélie Hoeferle as Sarah, Clifton Collins Jr as Lodge, William Belleau as Officer Butterfly Jimenez, and Austin Butler as Vernon Jefferson Peak. The film is directed by Ari Aster, known for his previous works in horror cinema.
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Eddington Release Date
‘Eddington,’ directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, is scheduled for a theatrical release in India on July 18, 2025, according to IMDb.
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