Eddington
The brief
Aster trades his horror toolkit for dusty streets and political paranoia, but his signature dread still seeps through every frame of this claustrophobic western. Phoenix bristles with manic energy as the sheriff while O'Connell matches him beat for beat as a mayor who's clearly hiding something dark. The 148-minute runtime lets tensions simmer slowly until the whole town feels like a pressure cooker ready to explode, with each neighbor's glance carrying the weight of betrayal. If you loved the paranoid atmosphere of The Assassination of Jesse James or thought Midsommar needed more cowboy hats, this is your nightmare.
The verdict
If you crave slow-burn atmospheric thrillers where paranoia builds like a fever dream and don't mind a lengthy runtime, this is a haunting blend of western grit and psychological horror that will burrow under your skin. If you need faster pacing or prefer straightforward genre films without Ari Aster's trademark unsettling weirdness, the 148-minute commitment will feel like watching paint dry in a dusty saloon.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for western fans who love psychological tension
- ⚠️ Skip if you need fast-paced action
Heads up
- Intense political conflict and community violence (moderate)
- Paranoid atmosphere and psychological tension (frequent)
- Standoff situations with implied violence (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Ari Aster
- Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix, Deirdre O'Connell, Emma Stone, Micheal Ward, Pedro Pascal, Cameron Mann, Matt Gomez Hidaka
Official synopsis
In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Sheriff (2026)
Both explore law enforcement tensions in isolated communities under pressure.
