Eddingtonis the fourth film from visionarydirector Ari Aster.Starting his feature film career withHereditaryin 2018, Aster is now known for both his work in the horror genre and in other, more experimental dramas. He is also a frequent collaborator with hit indie production and distribution company A24.
Eddingtonis a COVID-set storyabout a small-town sheriff and a mayor who are pitted against each other in a small town in New Mexico in May 2020. It is written and directed by Aster and is set for release on July 18.Eddingtonfeatures Joaquin Phoenix, Deirdre O’Connell, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Cameron Mann.
Eddingtonpremiered at the Cannes Film Festivalin May,where it got mixed reactions from critics. To its credit, however, the film boasts a superstar cast and crew with an impressive list of films to their name. Here are several films worth checking out before watchingEddingtonin theaters.
Hereditaryis Aster’s first feature, which also put him on the map. Led bya stellar performance from Toni Collette, the horror movie covers the story of a grieving family who experience increasingly disturbing and odd events. It is pretty focused on Collette’s character, but also features an incredible performance from Alex Wolff.
Hereditaryis also a critical part of the history of A24. Their reputation had already been well-established with Oscar-nominated movies likeMoonlightandRoom, butHereditaryshowed what they were capable of at the box office. The film made $87.7 million worldwide, becoming the company’s highest-grossing film at the time.
The movie is a great one to check out for those interested in seeing where Aster got his start. Genre-wise, it is different fromEddington. This is a testament to Aster’s range more than anything else.
Aster went in a different direction with his third feature film,Beau is Afraid. The 2023 movie clocks in at nearly three hours long and chronicles the story of the titular character, who goes on a fantastical journey home after his mother suddenly dies, confronting his inner demons along the way.
The movie was Aster’s first chance to work with Joaquin Phoenix, who also stars inEddington. Both the actor and director are inclined towards trippy, unusual work, andBeau is Afraidreally demonstrates that. As such,it will be interesting to see how this working relationship carries over toEddington.
The movie also shares a commonality with Aster’s Western in that it was fairly divisive among critics. Those who loveBeau is Afraidoften think it is a masterpiece; others find it jumbled. For those wanting to form an opinion on a key piece of this discourse,this Phoenix-led film is a great one to check out.
The primary genre ofEddingtonis contemporary Western. TheWestern genre has been making a comeback in recent years, and one of the key figures in this revamp is Taylor Sheridan. The writer, director, producer, and actor has primarily been working on TV, as he is behind titles such asYellowstoneandTulsa King.
But before he worked on these hit TV shows, Sheridan penned the script forHell or High Water. The film was a breath of fresh air,arguably helping begin the Western genre revival on the big screen.It was nominated for four Oscars, including for Sheridan’s screenplay.
Hell or High Waterfeatures a fantastic main cast including Ben Foster, Chris Pine, and Jeff Bridges. It is a great watch for those interested in the modern-day Western. As much as Aster is a key voice in independent cinema, Sheridan is critical to contemporary Westerns, makingHell or High Wateressential viewing for the genre’s audience.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world in March 2020,numerous pieces of media have tried to tackle the issues surrounding the event and its impact on everyday life.One of the first films to do so was the feature-length, genre-bending comedy specialBo Burnham: Inside.
Insideis quite the contrast toEddingtonin that it is a completely different interpretation of the same major world event.
Like the comedian’s other work,the movie is a musical special.This time, however, Burnham is performing in the pandemic-induced isolation of his own home. The film becomes a personal, stirring look at the effects of the pandemic.
Eddingtonis also exploring the pandemic, butfrom a more community-level standpoint.Insideis quite the contrast toEddingtonin that it is a completely different interpretation of the same major world event. For those looking for different perspectives on the pandemic, it is a fascinating pre-game toEddington.
One of the main roles inEddingtonis played by two-time Oscar-winning actor Emma Stone. Stone has had many fantastic roles throughout her career,but among her most stunning parts was Bella Baxter inPoor Things.ThisFrankenstein-esque story required Stone to play a woman brought back to life by a scientist.
Poor Thingsisdirected by Yorgos Lanthimos, a Greek director who has become a key filmmaker in the independent moviemaking landscape. Lanthimos has a very different approach to filmmaking from Aster, but provides an interesting viewpoint on the world and on the art of cinema. He is a critical voice in modern auteur filmmaking, like Aster.
Poor Thingsalso has themes of isolation and the difficulties therein. Bella does not stay this way for the whole film, but the film’s first act sees her sequestered by her creator and overbearing foster father figure, Godwin Baxter. While not directly a COVID film,it is another fascinating take on isolationand features great direction and fantastical elements.
Austin Butler has emerged as one of the younger talents to watch out for.He was Oscar-nominated for his role inElvis, and will continue his work with this era’s leading directors while participating inEddington.
There are numerous Butler films worth watching, but the most similar toEddingtonwould have to beThe Bikeriders. This movie is directed by Jeff Nichols and follows the story of Benny (played by Butler), who is a member of a Midwestern motorcycle club. When he meets a woman named Kathy, he has to decide where his loyalties lie.
Set in the Midwest,The Bikeriderswould not be defined as a contemporary Western. However, the film is also deeply rooted in its sense of place, much likeEddington. It is a good film to check out for those wanting to delve into the past work of more ofEddington’s cast members.
Phoenix is a four-time Oscar nominee, and there is good reason for that. He is one of the more versatile actors working today, taking on difficult, intense, and unusual parts. This style meshes well with Aster’s sensibilities, as the director also favors more unique work.
One of his best and most underrated performancesis in Lynne Ramsay’sYou Were Never Really Here. The film tells the story of a severely depressed and traumatized man who takes it upon himself to help track down and seek vengeance for young, missing girls.
You Were Never Really Hereis essential viewing for those craving the dramatic depths that Phoenix can go to. It is also a perfect time to watch the film, as its director, Ramsay, has another film coming outthis year withDie, My Love. For this reason,You Were Never Really Herecould not be a more relevant viewing ahead ofEddington.
