Eddington: first trailer released for Ari Aster’s Covid-set, Cannes-bound comedy western

The first footage has been released of Eddington, the much-anticipated black comedy western from Midsommar director Ari Aster. The film, which will premiere at Cannes next month, is set in May 2020 and concerns a standoff between the sheriff of a small town in New Mexico and the town’s mayor, who is seeking re-election.

Joaquin Phoenix plays the sheriff, with Emma Stone his wife, while Pedro Pascal is the mayor. Austin Butler plays a charismatic preacher whose stirring speeches we see over YouTube and Instagram; we also see footage of the quarantined central characters on social media.

Aster’s debut film, horror Hereditary, was a breakthrough hit at Sundance in 2018 and one of the top grossing films of that year. His follow-up, Midsommar, also met with praise and healthy box office, but 2023’s Beau is Afraid, also starring Phoenix, was less warmly received.