The first preview for Ari Aster’s latest film has arrived, as Pedro Pascal stars in A24 western Eddington trailer, revealing the movie’s unconventional take on a small-town standoff during the pandemic. A24 will bring this contemporary Western, featuring Pascal alongside Joaquin Phoenix, to theaters across the United States next month.
Eddington Trailer Highlights Rivalry and Small-Town Division
The newly released trailer offers an early look at Pascal and Phoenix’s dynamic, showing their characters at odds amid growing hostility among townspeople in Eddington, New Mexico. Tension runs high in this isolated setting, where pandemic frustrations fuel suspicion and conflict between neighbors. The trailer suggests that resentment and paranoia have reached a boiling point, turning the town into a powder keg of emotions.
“In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico,”
—official synopsis
An Ensemble Cast Joins Aster’s Contemporary Western
Supporting roles in Eddington are filled by a notable ensemble, including Austin Butler, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., Amélie Hoeferle, and William Belleau. The movie’s unique setting and the interplay between characters promise a story dissecting how national crises can disrupt even the most insular communities.
Mixed Responses Following Cannes Film Festival Debut
Eddington premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it generated strong but divided reactions from critics. Some reviewers, such as Indiewire’s David Ehrlich, praised its satirical exploration of modern anxieties during COVID-19. Others, including The Times’ Kevin Maher, were less impressed, with Maher stating the film feels
“unsure of what it wants to say.”
—Kevin Maher, The Times
Currently, Eddington holds a 65 percent approval rating from 49 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Ari Aster, also known for Hereditary and Midsommar, has a history of polarizing audiences, as seen with his previous release, Beau Is Afraid, which similarly received mixed reviews.
Story Themes Draw Inspiration from Pandemic-Era Fear
At Cannes, Pascal reflected on the film’s relevance to a society under strain, connecting with the story’s portrayal of fractured reality and uncertainty during lockdowns.
“I felt like [Aster] wrote something that was all our worst fears as that lockdown experience was already a fracturing society,”
—Pedro Pascal, actor
This perspective highlights the film’s social commentary, focusing on the psychological and societal toll brought about by the pandemic, as experienced in a small American town.
Eddington’s Imminent U.S. Release
Eddington will be released in United States theaters on July 18, 2025, distributed by A24. With its distinguished cast, Ari Aster’s signature direction, and a story rooted in recent collective experiences, the film seeks to provoke reflection and conversation as it reaches wide audiences next month.
