Ari Aster’s upcoming film, Eddington, has received a more detailed plot synopsis, teasing a chilling and darkly comedic Western noir from A24. The film, which stars Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, and Austin Butler, was previously described in vague terms, with early reports stating that it would follow a small-town New Mexico sheriff with higher aspirations. Now, new details about Eddington‘s story have emerged, revealing a far more unsettling premise set against the backdrop of a desolate desert town.

According to Variety, Eddington will center on a couple stranded in a seemingly welcoming desert town, only to discover that something far more sinister unfolds after nightfall. Joaquin Phoenix is set to portray the town’s sheriff, an ambitious lawman with his sights set on the mayor’s office.

What Eddington’s New Plot Details Mean

A Haunting Western Noir Unlike Anything Aster Has Done Before

While Aster has become synonymous with psychological horror, Eddington represents his boldest genre experiment yet. Unlike his previous work in the occult-focused Hereditary and the folkloric Midsommar, this film leans into the Western genre and dark comedy with elements of political drama. This marks Joaquin Phoenix’s second film with Aster after Beau is Afraid, which branched the director into a more surrealist—yet polarizing—take on tragedy, horror, and comedy. While A24 has produced Western films before, like Slow West, this marks the studio’s first real foray into Western horror.

Rumored reports have also stated that the small town will be set during a pandemic. Phoenix’s Sheriff Joe Cross and Pascal’s Mayor Garcia appear to be at the heart of a rivalry fueled by ambition and polarization when Joe is spurned to run for mayor of Eddington after he refuses to wear a face mask. Its rural isolation, paranoia, and clash between ambition and power are set to offer compelling tension as Ari Aster’s latest movie tackles the American culture war of recent years.

Our Take On Eddington’s Plot Reveal

Eddington Has Huge Potential

Aster has a penchant for slow-burning dread and with a powerhouse cast including Phoenix, Stone, and Pascal, Eddington is shaping up to be one of A24’s most intriguing projects yet. Phoenix and Aster previously collaborated on Beau Is Afraid, but this time, the director has an even more ambitious and genre-defying film on his hands. While the Phoenix-led film received mixed reviews, it’ll be interesting to see if Aster can successfully deliver a Wester noir with Eddington, and handle its unpredictable mix of genres and political sentiment.

Source: Variety