Eddington Review: Ari Aster's Surreal, Violent Satire of Covid-Era Madness
Briefly

Ari Aster's film explores the aftermath of the pandemic, sarcastically critiquing initial hopeful sentiments about societal change. Set in the small town of Eddington, it follows Sheriff Joe, who, fueled by anti-mask sentiments, challenges Mayor Ted, igniting chaos in the community amid broader societal issues, including protests and a burgeoning AI center. Despite its initial slow pacing, the narrative gains momentum, culminating in a memorable confrontation that highlights the absurdity of the characters' dynamics and evokes the frustrations of the post-pandemic era.
"Ari Aster's smart but frustrating satire looks back at the pandemic with a misanthropic lens, recasting hopeful aspirations as infantile and naive while identifying Covid as the genesis of our current nightmare."
"The film opens in May 2020 as Joe increasingly isolates himself from his wife Louise, gathering confidence in his anti-mask, anti-government views, leading to a chaotic rivalry with Mayor Ted."
Read at AnOther
[
|
]