Set in May, the film follows a sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), who has asthma and chooses not to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) and Joe Cross end up getting into a heated conflict over the implications of wearing masks. The conflict arises when the town believes masks will help contain the virus. This argument leads into a dark tale that goes from satire to crime thriller.

Despite this town in New Mexico being so small, there are varying degrees of how people handle this public health crisis. There are protestors, anti-maskers, mask wearers, large social gatherings, corrupt cops, and a mysterious cult-like figure, Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler). “Eddington” is full of strange and eccentric caricatures, which give this movie a surreal nature. As the film goes along, tensions only get higher as the invisible virus looms over Eddington, New Mexico.

This film is absent of Ari Aster’s horror directing style.  The film relies on discomfort and shock value to keep its audience hooked. The first two acts are for the audience to get reintroduced to how people responded to the pandemic. About one hour in, there is a crime element introduced, an inevitable turn, given Cross’s increasingly erratic behavior and questionable morality.. Joe Cross’ morals come into question as his family and fellow officers notice his erratic behavior.

Everyone in this film delivers great performances. Joaquin Phoenix’s Joe Cross is the character no one will take their eyes off of. The supporting cast is always questioning his views on wearing masks and his ability to be a reliable first responder. The audience is constantly wondering what he might do next. Cameron Mann, who plays Brian, gets a unique arc in the film that comes full circle as he begins to develop his own perspective on the public health crisis and social justice. Brian’s character becomes the physical embodiment of how social media can influence the youth.

There is an element of uncertainty and confusion to the way this movie feels. There is always something off in this town. The composers of “Eddington”, The Haxan Cloak, and Daniel Pemberton deliver a percussive-filled score that is always in the background yet never takes the center stage of the audio mixing. The loudest parts of this film are the characters’ voices, literally and metaphorically. This film does not shy away from its crime element, and in the last 30 minutes, there is quite a bit of gunfire.

“Eddington”’s third act felt like an action scene out of a “John Wick” film. There are bloody kills, a diverse arsenal of firepower and even drone strikes. The movie still felt grounded when it leaned into the action. When the guns were going off, there was still an element of humor and awkwardness because the streets were so quiet and empty.

Eddington is a film that uses humor and tension to take audiences back to 2020. While the film might not be for everyone, Ari Aster proves his directing capability by telling a story he has never told before that audiences today can relate to.