Eddington 2025 Review

Eddington is a challenging watch in more ways than one. It is unsettling, smart, and leaves you unsure who to root for, which feels entirely intentional.

Set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico during the early days of the Covid pandemic, the film follows Sheriff Joe Cross and Mayor Ted Garcia as they navigate chaos, misinformation and community breakdown. The sheriff is played by Joaquin Phoenix, a man unraveling under the pressure of fear and authority. Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Mayor Garcia, a smooth-talking leader who becomes both a symbol of control and manipulation.

This film does not offer a clear hero. Every character feels flawed, suspicious, or consumed by their own version of reality. That made it difficult to know who to root for. The story is messy in a deliberate way, filled with conflicting motives and moral uncertainty. It is a film that forces you to think deeply about what you are watching.

Eddington is packed with twists. Every time the story seems to be heading in one direction, it shifts into something else. Conspiracy theories emerge. Citizens begin turning on each other. Alliances shift. The media becomes part of the tension. I found myself constantly second-guessing what was real and what was performance.

What really struck me was how real the Covid setting felt. There were moments that gave me almost a physical reaction. Masks, press conferences, empty streets, sanitiser, online panic, all presented in a way that felt too close to the reality we lived through. Watching this film triggered memories I had buried, not because of how dramatic it was, but because of how accurate it felt. The cinematography is stark and minimal, with wide shots of the desert giving a sense of emptiness and isolation. Overlays of livestreams, social media posts and video calls fill the screen in moments of crisis. That visual combination of old-style framing with digital chaos made the entire experience feel off balance in a way that mirrors the characters' mental states.

Performances help hold the story together. Joaquin Phoenix gives a gripping performance as a man losing his grip on reality. He brings anxiety, fragility and desperation to the screen in a way that is uncomfortable to watch. Pedro Pascal is equally strong, creating a mayor who is both charming and deeply manipulative. Emma Stone makes a memorable appearance as Louise, the sheriff’s wife, whose calm exterior slowly reveals something darker beneath.

The film is not easy to follow. It demands full attention and does not explain everything. Viewers who prefer clear arcs and resolutions might feel lost. It leans heavily on mood, metaphor and unease rather than plot clarity. The story moves in circles and leaves a lot unsaid. At times I felt overwhelmed, unsure what I was supposed to feel, which I suspect is the point.

If there is one thing the film does undeniably well, it is capturing the emotional experience of 2020. That blend of fear, boredom, anger and exhaustion is present in nearly every scene. The confusion, the isolation, the distrust of neighbours, the constantly shifting rules, the pressure to stay informed while drowning in information. All of it felt incredibly familiar.

Some of the plot threads feel unresolved. There are a few too many characters, and not all of them land. A subplot about local militia fizzles out without clear resolution. The story leans into surrealism in its final act, which may frustrate some viewers. Personally, I wanted something more grounded after such a powerful setup.

Still, there is no doubt that Eddington takes risks. It is messy, difficult and provocative. It challenges you to think about truth, power and fear. It does not provide comfort, and that is exactly why it will stay with you.

Eddington is a bold, discomforting film that leans into chaos and moral confusion. It recreates the tension and uncertainty of early pandemic life with terrifying accuracy. While the story is uneven and the pacing can feel heavy, the film achieves something rare. It makes you feel like you are back in a moment you never wanted to relive. Ari Aster movies always make me wonder what is going on in his head. His films leave me feeling the same way... huh? This is not an easy film, but it is a powerful one. That’s why I rate it a 6.5/10