Ari Aster’s Eddington Is Missing The One Thing That Makes Me Obsessed With His Other Movies

by

CAUTION: This article might disclose some minor spoilers about the recently released movie, Eddington (2025). If you haven’t watched it yet, please exercise precautions, read on with care, and you should have no issues.

For quite some time now, a movie theater scene where people cough has been enough to set my nerves on edge, much like it did when I watched “Eddington”, a neo-Western film from the COVID-19 era that tackles distressing themes reflective of 2020. Interestingly, those eerie parallels were among the strongest sources of tension in the movie for me.

As a die-hard fan, let me express my appreciation for the latest A24 masterpiece. In my eyes, it skillfully paints a hauntingly accurate picture of modern America, teeming with bizarre and disconcerting elements. The performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and others are nothing short of stellar.

However, the movie left me yearning for more, in a deeply personal and unique way. Knowing that it’s the brainchild of writer and director Ari Aster only intensifies this feeling. Let me share my thoughts…

I Wanted Eddington To Be Darker

Among the contemporary directors I admire greatly is Ari Aster. In my opinion, he has contributed not only some exceptional horror films under the A24 banner, but also some truly outstanding horror movies of late, such as his 2018 release “Hereditary”, 2019’s “Midsommar”, and even “Beau is Afraid” from 2023, which didn’t resonate with everyone, but it was my top pick for that year.

The movies I’ve seen by Aster share a distinctive trait: they all provoke an intense, lingering unease within me that persists for several days after watching, which I’ve grown fond of. However, Eddington was the exception; it didn’t stir up that unsettling feeling in me as his other works do.

Allow me to clarify: Although the movie contains some truly jaw-dropping scenes, it’s Aster’s mildest work yet. This might be good news for some, but not for me, given the reasons stated. I’m unsure how he could have constructed a darker narrative that wouldn’t deviate from his unique style, but I’m also convinced that someone with his twisted creativity could have produced something more in tune with the persistent gloom of his previous works, particularly when addressing such a distressing and contentious era in U.S. history.

On The Flip Side, I’d Call Eddington Ari Aster’s Funniest Movie

In forming an opinion about any artwork, I’ve consistently found it valuable to take into account the opposing viewpoints. On occasion, I’ve gone so far as to construct a comprehensive argument against my own views, just to grasp the perspective of those who might disagree with me. One such instance occurred when I encountered Eddington.

In my opinion, although this movie by Aster doesn’t have the intensely grim atmosphere I usually expect from him, I now believe it was wise for him to tone down the disturbing elements slightly. This choice might have helped classify the film as a dark comedy more clearly. Previously, many viewers expressed confusion about whether certain content in his past films were meant to be humorous, despite Aster’s description of Midsommar as “folk horror” with a comedic high school-like progression, as shared with The Atlantic.

In a different take: Although the satire in his latest work is crystal clear, I’d argue it’s his most successful comedic effort yet, and I’d put the bizarre absurdity of the ending in Beau is Afraid in that category too. On the flip side, if Aster had delved deeper into the disturbing realities portrayed in Eddington, I suspect the humor would have been seen as insensitive.

If you thought this film’s political nature was something I’d delve deeper into, I regret to inform you that isn’t my style. Although I appreciate how Eddington reflects society, I critically assess films like these based on the artistic presentation of their themes primarily. On that note, despite it being my least preferred Ari Aster film, I believe it ranks among the top A24 movies I’ve watched this year.

Read More

2025-07-25 15:41