Writer/Director: Ari Aster
Starring: Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal
‘A Wonderful Western’
Not many actresses in Hollywood are as well-known as Emma Stone. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Stone has become a bold icon. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, fashion designers or helpful housekeepers, Stone has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Stone’s finest strength as an actress has often been her strong commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had talents for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when she is not the main focus of a movie, Stone always leaves a lasting impression. Through her ability to portray bold characters that are compelling, Stone has established a legacy that is lasting. A commemorated actress that stands in a league of her own, Stone has made many unforgettable movies which are well-known. Throughout a commemorated career, Stone has made many memorable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Stone and adore all the films which she has made in her career. Now, Stone is back on the big-screen and her strengths as an actress are clearly evident in her latest film “Eddington”. Released in 2025, Ari Aster’s film provided a strong portrait of political elections. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Emma Stone, who embodies the daughter of a mayor that is extremely well-known. Ultimately, what makes “Eddington” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Ari Aster movies targeted to a narrow audience, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A spellbinding political drama, there are many strong reasons why “Eddington” is a commemorated film that is worth seeing.
Set in the town of Eddington, “Eddington” tells a story of a mayor that participates in a tense election. Joaquin Phoenix portrays Joe Cross, a small-town sherif with strong political views causing tension. Cross has always held strong political beliefs about how his town should be run. Assisted by supportive wife Louise (Emma Stone), Cross sets out on a journey to conquer a competitive election. However, Cross’ dream of political success is threatened a new hostile mayor. Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is a rivalrous mayor with plans of changing his small town in a radical manner. As Cross and Gracia clash in ideology, they are soon forced to question their place in society. Facing tension, Cross starts to question whether it’s truly possible to preserve the uncertain future of his precious small town of Eddington.
Ari Aster is a newcomer towards the themes of politics. Before he directed “Eddington”, Aster had never made a film about political elections before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempts to capture the lives of mayors seeking to stage an election in a destructive city but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Aster conveys a mayor’s journey to change a city. Inspired with Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Aster expertly uses point-of-view shots to capture the lives of taxi drivers in a doomed city. For instance, the POV shots elevate the mayor argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cross has an intense argument with Garcia over his political beliefs causing tensions. Through captivating POV shots, Aster creates a portrait of elections which is compelling. POV shots aren’t a simple technique to use in film. As Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” suggested, POV shots enhance adaptations of iconic feminist books. However, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Aster captures tensions that mayors in political elections are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Eddington” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Evoking Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”, Aster effectively uses the production of a small town to capture elections causing tension. For instance, the small town location enhances the political speech scene. During this memorable scene, Cross delivers a strong political speech expressing his worldviews to his small town of people. Though stunning small town locations, Aster constructs a portrait of political elections that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Daniel Pemberton’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that mayors bear. Through spellbinding production, Aster creates a powerful portrait of a political election.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Eddington” is a political film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture experiences of mayors seeking great guidance. Aster’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture the tensions experienced by politics mayors through silence. Evoking George Clooney’s “The Ides of March”, Aster effectively uses silence to capture lived of political mayors that become embroiled in a scandal. For instance, the silence elevates the political aftermath scene. During this heartfelt scene, Cross faces the consequences of losing his political election. Through the sequences of silence, Aster creates a portrait of politics that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a complex technique to use in most movies. As Tate Taylor’s “The Help” demonstrated clearly, silence enhances movies about housekeepers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Aster captures political mayors in intense elections which face a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Emma Stone delivers one of her finest career performances as Louise Cross. Stone earned appreciation for star-crossed lovers in musical films. With “Eddington”, however, she took on her complex role. It isn’t simple to portray the wife of a mayor in a small town city but pulled it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most iconic role. Stone has often excelled playing emotional women under stress, and “Eddington” showcased her strength as an actress. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentment of a woman that faces political elections. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated actresses that’s working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning show se for Emma Stone, the supporting cast is also excellent and deserves appreciation. Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal, capturing the routine of a small town sheriff seeking to have a voice be seen. Pedro Pascal is powerful, and brings charisma to a political mayor that experiences a tragic downfall. Finally, Michael Ward merits appreciation. As a political figure, he brings a sense of wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Eddington” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the harsh realities of a m election. Unlike most movies about political elections, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes such as anxiety, mental health and trauma that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to have any interests in politics to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about dangers of political competitions which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Eddington” is one of those rare commemorated movies about politics that definitely would resonate with everyone.
Fans of Emma Stone will definitely appreciate “Eddington” and so would movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating political drama, it celebrates an actress with charisma.
A powerful portrait of political mayors seeking to run a competitive election in the small town of Eddington, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress with strong dedication towards her craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout her career which are absolutely worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 