Home / Arts and Entertainment / 'Eddington' Satire Premieres on HBO Max, Sparking Debate on Modern America
'Eddington' Satire Premieres on HBO Max, Sparking Debate on Modern America
21 Oct
Summary
- 'Eddington' received a nearly 7-minute standing ovation at Cannes
- The film is set during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring tensions between a small-town sheriff and mayor
- Critic praises director Ari Aster for tackling "the elephant in the room" of emergent groups like QAnon
Ari Aster's highly anticipated satire, 'Eddington,' is set to debut on HBO Max on November 14, 2025, just a day after its linear premiere on HBO. The film, which drew a nearly 7-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, is a genre-bending exploration of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on a small town in New Mexico.
Starring acclaimed actors Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, 'Eddington' follows the escalating standoff between a local sheriff and mayor as their community becomes divided. The film's ensemble cast also includes Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, and others.
In a glowing review, Deadline's Damon Wise praised director Ari Aster for his willingness to tackle the "elephant in the room" – the rise of groups like QAnon, 4Chan, and the Proud Boys, which Wise argues caused more damage than the pandemic itself. Without "ceremony or mercy," the film rips the "Band-Aid off" these societal wounds, leaving viewers to confront the raw, still-festering issues at the heart of modern America.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to shape our world, 'Eddington' promises to be a thought-provoking and timely exploration of the divisions and challenges facing communities across the country.
