Joaquin Phoenix And Pedro Pascal Star In Western Pandemic Drama, Eddington
Oscar-winning star Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) and Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) are teaming up to star in an intriguing-looking new comedy film later this year: Eddington is directed by Ari Aster (Beau Is Afraid) and is a Western set during the pandemic.
It’s set to hit cinemas in July, and will also star Emma Stone(Poor Things) and Austin Butler (The Bikeriders). While only some details have been revealed so far, here’s everything we know:
What is Eddington about?
A contemporary Western, Eddington does away with most of the classic tropes of what we think of the genre, and is set in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our central character is a sheriff, Joe Cross (played by Phoenix), who presides over a small town somewhere in New Mexico. Rather than hanging in a saloon or riding a horse, he’s seen scrolling through social media when we meet him in the film’s first trailer, as he boredly absorbs information on the various local inhabitants who he’ll meet. But what is very much in keeping of old-fashioned Westerns is what he’ll have to deal with soon: a standoff, pitting him against the town’s mayor (played by Pascal). The mayor is running for reelection, and his strident ideas and drive to remain in power seem set to put him on a collision course with the sheriff.
It’s unclear whether there’ll really be any “guns blazing” standoff between them, but the two men’s disagreements will start affecting the entire town, with the film’s description given by A24 describing a “powder keg” about to explode as tensions rise.
As neighbour is pitted against neighbour, the locals will find themselves caught up in the fight.
As neighbour is pitted against neighbour, the locals will find themselves caught up in the fight. We also get a glimpse from the trailer of who some of those are.
Austin Butler seems to be playing some sort of preacher or cult leader, seen on the sheriff’s phone speaking to his followers. Meanwhile, Emma Stone is playing another resident, who is apparently at odds with her husband, claiming that his recent “announcement” is false. The more you learn about Eddington, the more bizarre and interesting things get. The pandemic and its consequences will play a role in some capacity, with references to Wuhan and conspiracies spoken during the trailer.
What else do we know, and is there a release date?
The rest of the cast of the enigmatic Western comedy includes Luke Grimes (Yellowstone), Deidre O’Connell (The Penguin), Michael Ward (Empire of Light) and Clifton Collins Jr. (Nightmare Alley). The film is slated to debut at Cannes before releasing in US cinemas on 18th July. The UK release date has not yet been announced.
